Pandit Sundar Lal’s Study Of Islam Promotes Interfaith Harmony And Unity In India

By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 6 September 2025 Abstract: Pandit Sundar Lal, a Hindu thinker, used his pen to promote interfaith harmony and unity in India. Through books like Geeta and Quran, Hindu-Muslim Unity, and Prophet Muhammad and Islam, he highlighted shared spiritual values and defended Islam with honesty and respect. Unlike divisive writers, he presented religion as a bridge, not a wall. His works emphasized truth, compassion, and justice, offering lessons for today’s world facing intolerance, Islamophobia, and communal conflict. Sundar Lal showed that literature should inspire peace, heal divisions, and strengthen national and global unity. His writings remain relevant, timeless, and deeply human. Main Points: 1. Pandit Sundar Lal promoted Hindu-Muslim unity during colonial India. 2. His book Geeta and Quran highlighted common spiritual values. 3. Prophet Muhammad and Islam presented Islam with respect and fairness. 4. He believed the pen should unite, not divide, communities. 5. His writings are relevant for countering intolerance and Islamophobia today. ----- The power of the pen has always been recognized as one of the greatest forces shaping societies. Every civilization that valued knowledge and creativity acknowledged the transformative potential of writing. The Qur’an itself refers to the pen, highlighting its importance in guiding human thought and shaping culture. History also bears testimony to the fact that countless revolutions, reforms, and social movements were driven by the strength of written words. But the pen by itself is not magical—it becomes powerful only when it is guided by the mind and heart of a writer. The writer gives direction to words, either positive or negative, and through them influences the destiny of entire communities. In this respect, Pandit Sundar Lal stands out as one of the rare Hindu thinkers of the modern era who used his pen to strengthen interfaith harmony and promote human unity. Although he belonged to the Hindu community, his intellectual and literary works on Islam reveal a deep sense of honesty, sincerity, and compassion. His writings were not restricted to dry historical analysis; instead, they reflected a heartfelt desire to promote social cohesion, religious tolerance, and brotherhood at a time when India was struggling under colonial rule and was also facing the threat of communal divisions. This essay aims to explore the contemporary relevance of Pandit Sundar Lal’s Islamic writings. It will highlight how his books such as Geeta and Quran, Hindu-Muslim Unity, and Prophet Muhammad and Islam still provide valuable lessons for our present-day society which is battling religious intolerance, cultural polarization, and global Islamophobia. Throughout history, the pen has been used as both a weapon of peace and a tool of destruction. When writers focus on selfish political motives or communal propaganda, their works breed hatred and division. But when guided by universal values of truth, justice, and humanity, the pen becomes a beacon of light. A writer’s responsibility, therefore, is not merely to express personal opinions but to shape the moral conscience of society. True intellectuals use their knowledge and creativity to guide communities towards harmony, justice, and collective progress. Pandit Sundar Lal embodied this responsibility. At a time when communal hatred was deliberately spread to weaken India’s freedom struggle, he chose to use his pen to highlight the shared spiritual values of Hinduism and Islam. His writings stand as a reminder that literature should not only inform but also heal. It should not only analyse but also inspire. This is the real power of the pen—transforming society by offering hope and bridging divides. Pandit Sundar Lal’s Major Works on Islam: Pandit Sundar Lal wrote several important books that focused on Islam and its relationship with Indian culture. Among his most notable works are: 1. Geeta and Quran – ( گیتا اور قرآن) In this book, Sundar Lal compared two of the world’s greatest religious texts: the Bhagavad Geeta and the Holy Quran. His approach was not polemical; rather, it was based on respect and a search for common ground. He emphasized that the core teachings of both scriptures focus on righteousness, justice, human responsibility, and devotion to God. 2. Hindu-Muslim Unity – ( ہندو مسلم ایکتا) This book was written at a critical time during India’s struggle for independence when colonial forces were attempting to divide Hindus and Muslims for political gain. Sundar Lal passionately argued that the strength of India lay in the unity of its communities. By emphasizing cultural and religious harmony, he sought to counteract divisive propaganda. 3. Prophet Muhammad and Islam –( محمد صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم اور اسلام) In this work, Sundar Lal presented a respectful and fair account of the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the teachings of Islam. Unlike many Western or colonial scholars of his time who misrepresented Islam, Sundar Lal highlighted the humane, moral, and spiritual aspects of the Prophet’s mission. He presented Islam as a religion of peace, compassion, and justice. Honesty and Sincerity in His Approach One of the most striking aspects of Pandit Sundar Lal’s writings is the sincerity with which he approached Islam. Readers often note that if they were unaware of his religious identity, they would assume that the author must be a Muslim because of the depth of respect and affection he displayed for the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an. This sincerity is important because it shows that genuine appreciation of another religion is possible without conversion or personal gain. Sundar Lal wrote not for popularity but because he genuinely believed that Hindu-Muslim unity was essential for India’s survival and progress. His works are, therefore, timeless examples of interfaith respect. Contemporary Relevance of His Writings: The writings of Pandit Sundar Lal hold immense value even today for several reasons: 1. Countering Religious Intolerance In today’s world, religious intolerance and communal hatred are spreading rapidly, not only in India but also across the globe. Sectarian violence, hate speech, and Islamophobia have become major challenges. Sundar Lal’s works remind us that religions should be seen as sources of moral guidance, not as weapons of division. His emphasis on shared values can help communities rediscover common ground. 2. Promoting Interfaith Dialogue Globalization has created multicultural societies where people of different religions live side by side. For peaceful coexistence, interfaith dialogue is essential. Sundar Lal’s writings, especially Geeta and Quran, provide a practical model for such dialogue by comparing texts respectfully and highlighting common principles. 3. Correcting Misconceptions about Islam Misrepresentation of Islam remains a global issue. Media stereotypes often paint Islam as a religion of violence, ignoring its emphasis on peace, justice, and mercy. Sundar Lal’s book Prophet Muhammad and Islam challenges these misconceptions by presenting a balanced and respectful picture of Islam. This makes his work highly relevant in combating Islamophobia today. 4. Strengthening National Unity In India, communal harmony remains fragile. Political exploitation of religious sentiments continues to create divisions. Sundar Lal’s book Hindu-Muslim Unity is a timeless reminder that the nation can only progress when its communities work together. His call for harmony during the freedom struggle is just as urgent in today’s democratic India. Lessons for Today’s Writers and Thinkers Sundar Lal’s life and work also carry lessons for present-day intellectuals, scholars, and writers. His example teaches us that: A writer should rise above personal or communal biases and focus on universal human values. Literature should be used as a means to unite, not divide. Interfaith understanding is not a luxury but a necessity for peace in a diverse world. The courage to speak against divisive forces is essential, even when it is unpopular. Conclusion: Pandit Sundar Lal’s contributions to Islamic literature and interfaith harmony remain a shining example of how one person’s pen can create bridges across communities. His books are not just historical artifacts but living messages that resonate with today’s world. In an era dominated by hate politics, cultural divisions, and global Islamophobia, his writings provide wisdom, guidance, and hope. The message of his works is clear: religions are not meant to divide humanity but to uplift it. True progress and peace can only be achieved when we focus on the values of compassion, justice, and brotherhood that are common to all faiths. Pandit Sundar Lal’s pen reminds us that humanity’s future depends not on the walls we build between communities, but on the bridges we create through understanding and respect. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/pandit-sundar-lal-islam-interfaith-harmony-unity/d/136737 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism