
19, Hinduism according to Muslim Sufis. 
By Mavtavi ‘Appu’L Wat, Khan Sahib. 
The relations between the Muslims and Hindus of India 
have been those of conquerors and conquered, rulers and ruled, 
and therefore not always very happy. Beneath the political 
differences it may safely be asserted that religious antagonism 
has been more pronounced. Have these two peoples—the 
polytheistic Brahmans and the unitarian Muhammadans— 
ever calmly, dispassionately, and free from bias, considered the 
true religious view-points of each other? My reading of the 
religious history of Islam has convinced me that a few Muslim 
Sufis, in the midst of the political; social and ecclesiastical! 
strife and differences, have pondered over the Hindu idolatry, 
and polytheism, calmly, and free from racial prejudice, and 
ethnical bias. To an Arab all the world is ‘ajam or dumb or 
barbarian. To a Westerner everything eastern is barbarous. 
© a conqueror anything that a vanquished foe may offer is 
hateful. But to this universal law, I am happy to note that 
there are honourable exceptions. 
Many years ago, a Muhammadan scholar brought to light 
in a private conversation certain views of certain Muham an 
Sufi saints and divines about the Hindu religion, idolatry and 
Scriptures, which appeared to me very strange. Years after, 
{ was fortunate to consult him in his sick-bed, as to his 
Sources, which I am glad I noted before he left the world. I 
have consulted since other works, and the result has confirmed 
the views of the deceased Maulavi.! 
— 
— nee 
Shah Ghulam ‘Ali, otherwise called Shah ‘Abdullah, oa a 

Maulavi Ra’af Ahmad was a son of late Maulavi ‘Abdu’r-Ra’iif 
of Mauda‘ Sarulia, Sub Division Satkhira, District Khiilna of Bengal. 
Ra’iif Ahmad died at the age of about 71 years on 3rd zil-Qtada 1335 H. 
Wednesday, 10 a.m. (August 22, 1917 A.D. =6th Bhadra, 1324 B.8.). 
