Concept of Divinity in Jainism

Author(s): P Ajay Kothari
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 25

is only one god. “The Lord our God, Lord is one. '67 Anthony V. Wilhelm summarises the relationship with three Divinities as — “Everything comes to us from the Father, through the Son and we review it by means of Holy Spirit within us”. 68 In this Trinity, none is before or after the other, none is greater or less than another; the three persons are co-eternal together and co-equal; so that in all things the unity in trinity and trinity in unity is to be worshipped. Worship is offered through prayer to God, the Supreme Divinityøs for the attainment of happiness and heaven. 69
Islam
Divinity, according to Concise Oxford English Arabic Dictionary Of Current Usage, means 'god like nature’70 Islam is a strictly monotheistic religion and believes in one and only one God 'Allah'. Holy Quran reminds every Muslim to recite the Holy prayer, “Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa illahu Mohammed rasoolu illah.” (God is great, there is no God but Allah, Mohammed is the prophet of God). The very name 'Allah', which is short form of ‘Al llah’, means the strong', 'the powerful'. His Divine Will is regarded as absolute and perfect. The whole duty of man is Islam (submission)." Kraemer observes that Allah in Islam is white - hot majesty, omnipotence and unique. He is Creator, 72 Sustainer,73 and Destroyer74. He is Protector to the believer75 besides Forgiver76. He is first and unique reality beyond imagination and thought." Muslim believes in ‘Bismillah ir rahmanirrahim, (Allah is the most merciful and compassionate).78 He rewards to the fasting believer.79 He is all alone and one.80
Although Allah, the Supreme Divinity, is regarded in Islam, as an absolute transcendent, it believes that Allah sometimes reveals himself to men through his messengers. speaks to them through his rasool (messenger).81 Mohammed is the prophet of the almighty and all pervading Allah. Mohammed is not in place of Allah or equal to Allah but a mere rasool. This idea is very much conveyed in the Holy Quran chant “Mohammed rasoolu
THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM