Answer
Short Answer: It seems, sister in humanity, that you wish to become a Muslim, but are not yet ready to leave Hinduism. This is dichotomous because the affirmation of the Islamic faith begins with a negation of all other doctrines. The testimony that is pronounced when someone becomes a Muslim, begins with the Arabic word “Laa” (“No”). This means, that, to be a Muslim, one of the most stringent preconditions is for them to negate and deny all other religions and deities.
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Asalaamu alaykum, and thank you for sending in your question to our website.
Your question involves an explanation of the basic, fundamental pillar of Islam: the belief in one God. I would like to start off by pointing out that many among mankind, like you, believe in one God. They believe that He exists, that He created everything, and that He is listens to prayers. A few factors cause basic differences in beliefs from this point onward, however. And I hope that I can clarify why what you are suggesting, is totally impermissible in Islam.
Can Allah “take many forms”?
I am glad that you already seem to be aware of something very important. That Islam does not allow a Muslim to associate partners with Allah. This action of the heart and body is called “shirk“, and is a major sin.
The Muslim belief of the oneness of God forms the basis of the entire faith. It is referred to as tauheed. All righteous deeds can be rendered null and void if this belief is not correct and pure. Tauheed can be divided further into its core aspects.
One of them is the belief that God cannot take any physical, apparent “form” in the life of this world. Allah says in the Quran:
“No vision can grasp Him..” [6:103]
Therefore, to believe that God can “take many forms” is a total rejection of the first pillar of Islam itself. It negates the first article of the Islamic faith: that there is no deity besides Allah. A person who believes that Allah can take many forms, is therefore not a Muslim.
Worshiping Allah inside Hindu Temples
You mentioned that you intend to still visit Hindu temples even after you have converted to Islam. This is impermissible, unless a convert is forced to do so by their family. Visiting a temple is only allowed if a Muslim does it unwillingly, buckling under immense pressure and persecution.
The reason why a Muslim is prohibited to pray in the worship places of non-Muslims is simple. The non-Muslims worship other deities (such as Shiva, Jesus) in these prayer places, associating them with God. They call out to them, pray to them, bow and prostrate to them, and ask them for help.
All of these actions, once again, contradict the first pillar of Islam. They constitute clear shirk, and are therefore forbidden.
Calling Allah with Names of other gods
One of the most amazing aspects of Allah’s Divinity is that He is unique and incomparable to any other being or entity:
“There is nothing like unto Him….” [42:11]
Allah has many attributes that give us insight about Him. Such as His knowledge, His greatness, His mercy, and His omnipotence. A Muslim is allowed to call out to Allah only via these names and attributes. No other name can be given to Him, especially if some other deity has the same name.
Calling out to Allah with the name of another deity is, once again, a form of shirk. Therefore, it is forbidden i.e. a major sin. You asked whether you will be forgiven if you willingly indulge in this action. The answer is clear.
A Muslim who does not repent for this major sin will not be forgiven. Allah says in the Quran:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that, for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” [4:48]
Partaking in the Festivals and Rituals of other Religions
It seems, sister in humanity, that you wish to become a Muslim, but are not yet ready to leave Hinduism. This is dichotomous, because the affirmation of the Islamic faith begins with a negation of all other doctrines. The testimony that is pronounced when someone becomes a Muslim, begins with the Arabic word “Laa” (“No”). This means, that, to be a Muslim, one of the most stringent preconditions is for them to negate and deny all other religions and deities.
Therefore, one cannot be a Muslim and still willingly partake in the festivals and rituals of other religions.
I invite you to study the fundamental articles of faith and the 5 basic pillars of Islam. Please click here.
I suggest that you pray to Allah to open your heart to the truth. Ask Him to make it easy for you to accept Islam, and to act upon it according to His pleasure.
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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