In Hinduism, the role of scriptures is not as central as it is in many other religions, particularly in Islam. As a result, many Hindus may not be deeply familiar with their sacred texts. Hinduism is primarily passed down through culture, customs, and traditions, rather than through written scriptures. However, it is important to note that the Hindu scriptures contain numerous contradictions. While they do mention the concept of monotheism, they also include references to polytheism and various superstitions.
The 10th-century scholar Al-Biruni, in his renowned work Kitab al-Hind, offers a detailed analysis of Hinduism and Indian civilization. He observed that while the intellectual elite among the Hindus adhered to monotheism, the general populace practiced polytheism. Unfortunately, the intellectuals did not make a concerted effort to enlighten the common people about the concept of monotheism. Al-Biruni also pointed out that there is no singular work in Hinduism that is entirely free of superstitions.
In drawing a comparison with Greek society, Al-Biruni wrote:
\”Before the advent of Christianity, the Greeks held beliefs that were very similar to those of the Hindus. The intellectuals in Greece reasoned in much the same way as the intellectuals among Hindus, while the common people of Greece engaged in idol worship in a manner similar to the common people of India. This similarity is not to assert the truth of one belief system over the other, but rather to highlight the common patterns. However, the Greeks were fortunate to have philosophers who sought to separate the rational beliefs of the intellectuals from the superstitions of the masses. The goal of the intellectuals was to seek truth through reason and investigation, whereas the common people, unless guided by wisdom, often resorted to superstition and obstinacy. A prime example is Socrates, who opposed idol worship and refused to consider the stars divine. As a result, despite his wisdom, he was sentenced to death by the Athenian court. Unlike the Greeks, however, Hinduism did not have a tradition of philosophers who worked to refine and purify the intellectual discourse from superstitions. Therefore, Hindu scriptures often contain confusion and disorder, with superstitions deeply ingrained in the beliefs of the general populace.