Ram and Rahim: A Symbol of Syncretism or Logical Fallacy?

Recently, Seshadri Chari, a senior RSS and Brahmanical ideologue, in a TV interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, endorsed Mahatma Gandhi’s writings in Hind Swaraj (1929) where Gandhi reportedly stated, “For me, Ram and Rahim are the same deity and one. I recognize no other God other than the God of truth and righteousness.”

Speaking with Sardesai, the RSS ideologue said that Ram and Rahim are one for him as well. However, he added, “I do not have any problem going to the mosque and offering prayers five times a day, but can the man who believes in Rahim go to Ayodhya with the same feeling as me?”

From his statement, it is evident that he desires reciprocity in the matter of worshipping Ram and Rahim. Is this possible? Why are worshippers of Lord Rama or any other Brahmanical deity more willing to visit other places of worship, while the same is not generally reciprocated by Muslims (assuming by “followers of Rahim” he meant Muslims, keeping in mind the general disposition of people and not exceptions)?

Are Ram and Rahim one? Do they represent the same entity or concept? Are they compatible and mutually interchangeable? Read on to explore this intriguing question and uncover the deeper meanings behind these revered names.

Meaning & Attributes of Ram and Rahim

Meaning of Ram

According to learned Brahmins, the literal meaning of “Ram” is “eternal” or “the one who never dies”. Monier Monier-Williams, a vedical scholar says that it has been used in two contexts in Vedas. In one context, as found in Atharva Veda, it means “dark, dark-colored, black” but in another context in other Vedic texts, the word means “pleasing, delightful, charming, beautiful, lovely”.

If this is true, then this concept aligns with the attribute of God found across many religions and scriptures including Islam. For instance, in Islam, God is Beautiful than being described. One of His Names is Al-Jameel (the Most Beautiful). It describes Allah as the source of all beauty in creation, and as being perfect and beautiful in his essence, attributes, and actions.�

Ibn Al-Qayyim states that the beauty of Allah is something that a person cannot imagine and only He knows it. There is nothing of it in creation save for glimpses. A hadith states “Verily, Allah is beautiful and he loves beauty”. This statement is part of a hadith that is commonly featured in Muslim artwork. The hadith means that Allah’s beauty is absolute and includes the beauty of his essence, attributes, and actions. Some believe that Allah is beautiful in his attributes, actions, and in the beauty of everything around us, such as humans, animals, flowers, oceans, and seas.

The word Ram also means beautiful. Consequently, the concept embodied in “Ram” undoubtedly deserves great respect and honor. It is clearly an attribute of God and cannot be rejected merely because its in a different language-

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Compassionate—whichever you call, He has the Most Beautiful Names.” Do not recite your prayers too loudly or silently, but seek a way between. Holy Quran 17:110

And those who believe, in what, has been revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ and what, was revealed before you, and in the Hereafter, they have sure faith. It is they who are on guidance, from their Lord, and it is they who will be amongst the successful ones. Holy Quran 2:4-5

However, today the word “Ram” is no longer used in isolation, like God, Allah, Ishwar, Bhagwan, Khuda, Rab, etc., to refer to the one supreme entity. In contemporary times, it has acquired various mythological and historical contexts and connotations.

For instance, in common parlance and prevailing customs, the Brahmanical classes have constructed a lengthy mythological narrative around Ram, advocating for his worship.

Within this framework, Ram is not only depicted as being born in Ayodhya, in the household of an upper-caste king Dasarath, but also as later dying there after traveling across India and Lanka, defeating demons, and establishing justice.

They claim that Lord Ram was an incarnation of God, born into the powerful royal household (a historically privileged class) of King Dashrath and Queen Kaushalya of Ayodhya. Later, he married Princess Sita and had two sons, Lava and Kusha. This is the portrayal of Ram as a prince or king.

While Brahmanical and upper-caste Hindus (across the political spectrum) have systematically glorified this version of Ram as God, Bahujan classes (OBCs, SCs, STs, etc.), their leaders, and scholars (both past and present) such as Dr. BR Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Periyar, Lalai Singh Yadav, Swami Prasad Maurya, Chandrashekhar Yadav, Dr. Laxman Yadav, have not only vociferously rejected his deification and worship but also called him an oppressor and perpetuator of the unjust caste system.

Jyotiba Phule’s “Ghulamgiri”, Ambedkar’s “Riddles of Hinduism” and Lalai Singh Yadav’s “Sachhi Ramayan” are quite noteworthy in this regard.

They say, “God has offspring.” Glory be to Him! He is the Self-Sufficient. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. You have no proof of this! Do you say about God what you do not know? 10:68

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Indeed, those who fabricate lies against God will never succeed.” 10:69

˹It is only˺ a brief enjoyment in this world, then to us is their return, then We will make them taste the severe punishment for their disbelief. 10:70

एक राम दशरथ का बेटा, एक राम घट घट में बैठा ! एक राम का सकल पसारा, एक राम त्रिभुवन से न्यारा !! तीन राम को सब कोई धयावे, चतुर्थ राम को मर्म न पावे। चौथा छाड़ि जो पंचम धयावे, कहे कबीर सो हम को पावे।

Kabir Daas

Also Read| Ambedkar’s views on Lord Rama: Excerpts from Riddles of Hinduism

Meaning of Rahim

The literal meaning of word “Rahim” is merciful and Holy Quran has used this word often as an attribute of God almighty. For instance:

In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Hindi Translation: भगवान के नाम से शुरू जो रहमान और रहीम है (यानि जो अत्यंत/बेहद दयालु व कृपालू है)

Holy Quran describes God in following manner.

Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute master; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. Holy Quran 112:1-4

Hindi Translation: ऐ नबी! कह दो कि भगवान एक है, वो बेनियाज़ है, वो न किसी का बाप है और न किसी का बेटा, और कोई उसका हमसर नही, और कोई उसके जैसा नही।

No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things. Al-Quran 6:103

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Compassionate—whichever you call, He has the Most Beautiful Names.” Do not recite your prayers too loudly or silently, but seek a way between. Holy Quran 17:110

Hindi Translation: उसे भगवान कह के पुकारो, या बेहद कृपालु कहो, जिस भी नाम से पुकारो उसके लिए सब अच्छे ही नाम हैं और अपनी इबादतें न बहुत बुलंद आवाज़ से करो न ही बहुत पस्त बल्कि इन दोनों के दरमियान मद्धम दर्जे का लहज़ा अख्तियार करो।

And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and colours. Surely in this are signs for those of ˹sound˺ knowledge. 30:22

Aur uski nishaniyon mein se aasmaano aur zameen ki paidaish, aur tumhari zubaano aur tumhare rangon (colors) ka ikhtilaf hai. Yaqeenan is mein bahut si nishaniyan hain daanishmand (wise) logon ke liye 30:22

तथा उसकी निशानियों में से आकाशों और धरती को पैदा करना तथा तुम्हारी भाषाओं और तुम्हारे रंगों का अलग-अलग होना है। निःसंदेह इसमें ज्ञान रखने वालों के लिए निश्चय बहुत-सी निशानियाँ है। 30:22

O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware. 49:13

Logon, humne tumko ek Mard aur ek Aurat se paida kiya aur phir tumhari qaumein aur biradariyan bana di taa-ke tum ek dusre ko pehchano. Dar haqeeqat Allah ke nazdeek tum mein sab se zyada izzat wala woh hai jo tumhare andar sab se zyada parheizgaar hai. Yaqeenan Allah sab kuch jaan-ne wala aur baakhabar hai. 49:13

ऐ मनुष्यो! हमने तुम्हें एक नर और एक मादा से पैदा किया तथा हमने तुम्हें जातियों और क़बीलों में कर दिए, ताकि तुम एक-दूसरे को पहचानो। निःसंदेह अल्लाह के निकट तुममें सबसे अधिक सम्मान वाला वह है, जो तुममें सबसे अधिक तक़्वा वाला है। निःसंदेह अल्लाह सब कुछ जानने वाला, पूरी ख़बर रखने वाला है। 49:13

Also Read| Who is Allah? Definition and Attributes of God in Islam

For those unfamiliar, the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) of Arabia. Unlike Lord Rama, who was born into the grandeur of royal palaces, Prophet Muhammad was a noble messenger of God born into a humble and impoverished family. Orphaned at a young age, he grew up illiterate in the worldly sense, herded sheep and camels, performed manual labor, and endured the hardships and struggles typical of a life of poverty. Despite his noble mission, he faced relentless humiliation and ridicule from the elite classes of his time, standing as a timeless example of perseverance and dignity in the face of adversity.

And among the People of the Scripture is he who, if you entrust him with a great amount [of wealth], he will return it to you. And among them is he who, if you entrust him with a [single] coin, he will not return it to you unless you are constantly standing over him [demanding it]. That is because they say, “There is no blame upon us concerning the unlettered.” And they speak untruth about Allāh while they know [it]. Quran 3:75�

It is He who has sent among the unlettered [Arabs] a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] and wisdom [i.e., the sunnah] – although they were before in clear error. Quran 62:2

When we read the Quran, a recurring pattern emerges in the lives of all great prophets and saints of God. These divinely chosen figures were sent to challenge the oppressive schemes of priestly classes and their elite patrons across the world. Time and again, these groups distorted religion, manipulated the truth, and exploited innocent masses for fleeting worldly gains, standing in stark opposition to the principles of justice and righteousness upheld by God’s messengers.

Also Read| Prophet Muhammad PBUH Family Background: Was He Rich or Poor?

Ram and Rahim: Compatibility Issues

From the above analysis, it is clear that the words Ram and Rahim are both mutually compatible as well as non-compatible. The words Ram is compatible with Rahim if used in a litteral sense which means beautiful, pleasing, essense of everything, etc and intended for the supreme divine. But if it is used to refer to King Rama of Ayodhya, it is non-compatible with the idea of God who is beyond birth and death.

Today, the figure of Ram is predominantly associated with the upper-caste king of Ayodhya. According to scholars like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other informed Bahujan intellectuals, Brahmins have systematically elevated Ram to divine status. This deliberate construction of divinity is argued to serve an ulterior motive: reinforcing class and caste dominance in Indian society. Such interpretations shed light on the socio-political underpinnings of religious narratives in history.

Socio-Political Dimensions of Ram and Rahim

Lord Rama hailed from an upper-caste elite ruling dynasty, and his glorification and deification reflect a recurring pattern among the elite and upper classes. Historically, elites and upper classes have often been viewed with suspicion worldwide due to their rigid, discriminatory, and hostile attitudes towards social justice, equality, and egalitarianism. As such, any deification or glorification of feudal lords, kings, and queens warrants careful scrutiny.

Given the documented history of Brahmanical excesses, exaggerations, misappropriations, and manipulations of religious texts—along with their long-standing record of discrimination, oppression, exploitation, and marginalization of those they deemed inferior—it is essential to approach anything emanating from these sources with great caution and skepticism.

Holy Quran 14:28-29 Have you not seen those who meet Allah’s favours with ingratitude and lead their own people to their doom? They set up equals to Allah to mislead ˹others˺ from His Way. Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Enjoy yourselves! Surely your destination is the Fire.”

Similarly, whenever We sent a warner to a society before you ˹O Prophet˺, its ˹spoiled˺ elite would say, “We found our forefathers following a ˹particular˺ way, and we are walking in their footsteps.” 43:23

Holy Quran 43:31-32 They (Elites) said, ‘Why was this Quran not sent down to one of the great men of the two cities?’ Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? It is We who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and raise some of them above others in rank, so that they may take one another into service; and the mercy of your Lord is better than [the wealth] which they amass.

“He is the One Who raised for the illiterate people a messenger from among themselves – reciting to them His revelations, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, for indeed they had previously been clearly astray along with others of them who have not yet joined them ˹in faith˺. For He is the Almighty, All-Wise. This is the favour of Allah. He grants it to whoever He wills. And Allah is the Lord of infinite bounty.” (Holy Quran 62:2-4)

Say, “O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over and above all things competent. Al-Quran 3:26

Also Read| Elite and Upper Classes: Read why Quran blames them for Corrupting Religion and People

Cultural Dimension

Cultural grandeur has always been the privilege of the wealthy, not the poor. While kings and queens construct magnificent palaces and temples, the poor toil relentlessly just to secure their daily livelihood. In this context, the vociferous demands for constructing a grand palace for King Ram at the site of a place of worship dedicated to God Almighty, particularly from the dominant Brahmanical classes, is hardly surprising. It reflects a long-standing pattern of asserting power and privilege through cultural and religious symbolism.

Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) did not eat at a table till he died, and he did not eat a thin nicely baked wheat bread till he died. Sahih al-Bukhari 6450

Narrated ‘Amir bin Al-Harith: Allah’s Apostle (Prophet Muhammad) did not leave a Dinar or a Dirham or a male or a female slave. He left only his white mule on which he used to ride, and his weapons, and a piece of land which he gave in charity for the needy travelers. Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 738

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 8, Number 437- Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar- ‘In the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle the mosque was built of adobes (clay), its roof of the leaves of date palms and its pillars of the stems of date-palms. Abu Bakr did not alter it. ‘Umar expanded it on the same pattern as it was in the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle by using adobes, leaves of date palms, and changing the pillars into wooden ones. ‘Uthman changed it by expanding it to a great extent and built its walls with engraved stones and lime and made its pillars of engraved stones and its roof of teak wood.

Historical Dimension

The historicity of Lord Rama remains a disputed matter. The previous government officially referred to him as a mythical figure, while the current government asserts that he was a real historical personality. This shift in perspective highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the nature of his existence and the interpretation of historical and religious narratives.

But God is eternal, never born never dies. The same is attested by Torah, Bible, Bhagavad Gita, Granth Sahib and Quran.

Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute master; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. Holy Quran 112:1-4

To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Most Capable of everything. (Wa Lillahi Mulkus-samawati wal Ard. Wallahu ala kulli shayyin Qadeer) Holy Quran 3:189

They say, “Allah has offspring.” Glory be to Him! He is the Self-Sufficient. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. You have no proof of this! Do you say about Allah what you do not know? 10:68

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Indeed, those who fabricate lies against Allah will never succeed.” 10:69

˹It is only˺ a brief enjoyment in this world, then to Us is their return, then We will make them taste the severe punishment for their disbelief. 10:70

Also Read| Bhagavad Gita on God, Deities & Rituals: Commonalities with Quran & Granth Sahib

Geographic Dimension

Just as Brahmins have historically divided humanity into hierarchical categories of high and low, they have similarly classified parts of the earth as sacred or profane. For them, the place, town, or nation where Ram was born is sacred and non-negotiable. In contrast, the Holy Quran teaches that God Almighty is not confined by time or place. His authority extends across the entire universe, and His mercy and guidance have been sent to all directions, nations, and communities without discrimination. This universal message emphasizes equality and the boundless nature of divine compassion.

No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things. Al-Quran 6:103

To Allah belong the east and the west, so wherever you turn you are facing ˹towards˺ Allah. Surely Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. Holy Quran 2:115

And We certainly sent a Messenger to every community and nation saying: “Worship God, and shun false deities”. Then among them were some whom Allah guided, and among them were some who deserved to be left to stray. So travel through the land and see the end of those who denied the truth. Holy Quran 16:36

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed Khudri said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘All the earth is a mosque, except for graveyards and Hammam.’” Sunan Ibn Majah 745

Narrated AbuDharr: The earth has been made for me purifying and as a mosque (place for prayer). Sunan Abi Dawud 489

Also Read| Mosques in Islam: Know their Status & Importance from Quran & Hadith

Good & Evil are not one

According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Riddles of Hinduism, Lord Rama symbolizes injustice and oppression, as he oppressed the Shudras and reinforced the hegemony of Brahmanical classes. If this interpretation holds, Ram becomes a representation of caste domination, standing in opposition to the constitutional values of equality and justice. Furthermore, Rama conducted the Ashwamedha Yagya, a ritual to assert his supremacy by subjugating other kings and declaring himself the “king of kings,” reinforcing hierarchical power structures rather than promoting inclusivity or equity.

As opposed to this Rahim or God Almighty in Holy Quran and his noble messengers denounced monarchy & kingship and commanded for justice, equity and fairness in day to day life.

Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol 8, Book 73, No. 224: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The most awful name in Allah’s sight on the Day of Resurrection, will be (that of) a man calling himself Malik-al-Amlak (Shahanshah, Rajadhiraj or the King of kings).”

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things) Holy Quran 49:13

Al-Quran 16:90 Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition. 

Thus, Ram and Rahim are also not one much like Ram and Ravan are not one and Ram & Gurmeet Ram Rahim are not one.

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Good and evil are not equal, though you may be dazzled by the abundance of evil. So be mindful of Allah, O  people of reason, so you may be successful.” Holy Quran 5:100

Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!Al-Quran 41:34

Should We treat the true believers and the wrongdoers alike? What ails you? How ill you judge! Have you a Scripture that tells you that you will be granted whatever you choose? Or do you have Our solemn oaths, binding upon Us till the Day of Resurrection, that you shall have whatever you yourselves decide? Al-Quran 68:35-39 

Sunan Abi Dawud 4800: Narrated Abu Umamah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarreling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.

Also Read| Quran and Hadith Quotes on Important Issues of Life

Conclusion

In conclusion, the words Ram is compatible with Rahim if used in a litteral sense which means beautiful, pleasing, essense of everything, etc and is intended for the supreme divine.

But if it is used to refer to King Rama of Ayodhya (the connotation it has acquired today), it becomes not only a fundamentally different concept but also mutually incompatible with the word Rahim which in Islam refers to the idea of God who is beyond birth and death.

While the word Rahim (merciful) is an attribute or God almighty who not only according Quran but all major religions is omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal, and beyond the cycle of birth and death, the word Ram (as is today understood in common parlance & custom) refers to the King Ram of Ayodhya, the son of king Dasrath & queen Kaushalya, the father of prince Lav & Kush, the husband of princess Sita, the brother of prince Laxman, etc.

Even though Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, one of the most prominent leaders of Bahujan Indians (comprising OBCs, STs, and SCs, who make up over 90% of India’s population), described Lord Rama as a fraudulent dogma of the Brahmanical classes and a symbol of injustice and oppression, it is important to consider an alternative perspective. For the sake of argument, even if we accept Lord Rama as a real historical figure and a just and wise king, as claimed by the Brahmanical classes, this does not obligate anyone to worship him. Acts of worship and devotion are inherently for Godalone, not for kings or queens—whether real or mythical—who have been deified by the Brahmanical elite for various reasons.

Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 42-43

यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चित: |
वेदवादरता: पार्थ नान्यदस्तीति वादिन: || 42||
कामात्मान: स्वर्गपरा जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम् |
क्रियाविशेषबहुलां भोगैश्वर्यगतिं प्रति || 43||

Meaning: Those with limited understanding, get attracted to the flowery words of the Vedas, which advocate ostentatious rituals for elevation to the celestial abodes, and presume no higher principle is described in them. They glorify only those portions of the Vedas that please their senses, and perform pompous ritualistic ceremonies for attaining high birth, opulence, sensual enjoyment, and elevation to the heavenly planets. (Swami Mukundananda Translation)

You worship stones and sit like a stork, pretending to be in Samaadhi…If you knew the nature of God, you would know that all of these beliefs and rituals are in vain.” (Guru Granth Sahib 470:16-18)

Al-Quran 6.74-75 And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said to his father Azar, “Do you take idols as deities? Indeed, I see you and your people be in manifest error.” And thus did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain in faith. (See also, Al-Quran 26:69-93)

Al-Quran 19:41-42 He was a man of truth and a prophet. He said to his father, Why do you worship something that can neither hear nor see nor benefit you in any way?

Al-Quran 21:52-54 When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?” They said, “We found our fathers worshippers of them.” Abraham said, ‘Indeed, you and your fathers have been clearly misguided.’ 

Calling a mortal human being—especially an upper-caste elite ruler—as God is, in itself, a profound act of fraud, manipulation, and oppression. It is perplexing that, in their worldly affairs, people cannot tolerate multiple fathers for the same child, two equal authorities within a nation, or more than one Prime Minister or President at the same time. They impose strict border controls and rigid passport systems to segregate individuals based on nationality. Yet, in matters of divinity and religion, these very same people preach the concept of multiple gods, offering promises of salvation through any means—whether through simplistic or elaborate rituals—revealing a stark contradiction in their approach to the sacred versus the secular.

This reflects the ulterior motive of the Brahmanical classes to exert control and domination over the poor and innocent masses through a multitude of distractions, including countless deities, rituals, and divine figures. History has shown that human lords and kings have failed and perished, and this pattern will continue. Only God, the Creator Almighty, remains the true and eternal King, and He alone will hold these individuals accountable for their misdeeds.

فَتَعٰلَى اللّٰهُ الۡمَلِكُ الۡحَـقُّ​

Fata’Aalallahul Malikul Haqqu

So exalted be Allah (God), the (only) true King…”

Quran 20:114

وَمَكَرُوْا وَمَكَرَ اللّٰهُ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَیْرُ الْمٰكِرِیْنَ

And they plan. God also has planned and God is the best of planners.

Holy Quran 3:54

لِيَجۡزِىَ اللّٰهُ كُلَّ نَفۡسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتۡ​ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ سَرِيۡعُ الۡحِسَابِ‏

As such, Allah will reward every soul for what it has committed. Surely Allah is swift in reckoning.

Holy Quran 14:51