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, and do they connote the same entity or idea? Are they compatible and mutually interchangeable? Read on to learn more.
Meaning & Attributes of Ram & Rahim
Ram
According to Brahmins, the literal meaning of “Ram” is “eternal” or “the one who never dies.” If this is true, then this concept certainly aligns with the attribute of God found across many religions and scriptures. Consequently, the concept embodied in “Ram” undoubtedly deserves great respect and honor.
However, 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
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: उस ईश्वर के नाम से शुरू जो रहमान और रहीम है (यानि जो मेहरबान और रहम करने वाला 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 ईश्वर एक है, ईश्वर बेनियाज़ है, वह न किसी का बाप है और न किसी का बेटा, और कोई उसका हमसर नही, 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 अल्लाह कह के पुकारो, ईश्वर कहो या रहमान 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 the unversed, Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH of Arabia who unlike Rama was not born into opulent royal palaces, but he was a noble messenger of God born into a poor family, became orphaned in childhood, was illiterate in worldly sense, herded sheep and camels, did manual labor, underwent all trials and tribulations that a poor person goes through in life including humiliation and mockery of all sorts by elite classes there.
When we read Quran, a similar subaltern pattern is visible in lives of all great prophets and saints of God who were sent to confront the evil schemes of priestly classes and their elite patrons all over the world who habitually distorted religion and truth and corrupted innocent masses for ephemeral worldly gains.
Also Read| Prophet Muhammad PBUH Family Background: Was He Rich or Poor?
Compatibility Issues
From the above definition, it is clear that the words Ram and Rahim are not same as is understood in general parlance.
By Ram people generally point towards the upper-caste king Ram of Ayodhya on whom Brahmins have deliberately and systematically bestowed divinity to fulfil their ulterior motive of class and caste dominance as is evident from the writings of Ambedkar and other informed Bahujan scholars.
Socio-Political Dimension
Lord Rama came from an upper-caste elite ruling dynasty. His glorification & deification shows similar pattern.
Since elite and upper classes are a suspect category all over the world in terms of their historically rigid, discriminatory and hostile attitude and role towards social justice, equality and egalitarianism, any deification and glorification of feudal lords, kings and queens merits strict scrutiny.
Given the historical documentation of Brahmanical excesses, exaggerations, extrapolations, misappropriation and manipulation of religious texts and the prolonged and extreme cases of discrimination, oppression, exploitations, subordination and subjugation and systematic marginalisation of masses they deemed inferior, anything coming from them must be taken with loads of salts as a matter of abundant caution.
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 is the domain of the rich not poor. Rich kings and queens build towering palaces and temples, poor work hard day and night to earn their times livelihood.
So boisterous calls for king Ram’s grand palace on a the place of worship of God almighty from mouth of arrogant Brahmanical classes is not surprising.
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 is also a disputed fact. The previous government has on record claimed Ram to be a mythical personality and now the new government calls him a real historical figure.
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 like Brahmins divide and categorise human beings into high and low, they also classify portions of earth as sacred and profane. The place, town, and nation where Ram was born is sacred for them and it cannot be compromised.
But Holy Quran says God almighty is not limited by time and place. His authority pervades everywhere in this universe and he has sent his messengers and mercy to all directions, nations and communities without any discrimination.
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 BR Ambedkar, Lord Rama is a symbol of injustice and oppression (Riddles of Hinduism) for he oppressed the Shudras and perpetrated the hegemony of Brahmanical classes.
If this is so then, Ram stands for caste domination of a few over others and his ideals of Ram militate against constitutional values and ideas of equality and justice.
Rama also conducted Ashwamedha Yagya to become subdue other kings and became king of kings.
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, Ram (the connotation of King Ram of Ayodhya it has acquired today) and Rahim are not only fundamentally different concepts but also are mutually incompatible.
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 understood in common parlance & custom) refers to the King Rama 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 Bhimrao Ambedkar, one of the tallest leaders of Bahujan Indians (OBCs, STs and SCs who constitute over 90% Indians) called Rama a fraudulent dogma of Brahmins and a symbol of injustice & oppression but for the sake of argument even if we accept that Lord Rama was a real historical figure and that he was a just and wise king as is claimed by Brahmanical classes, one still does not get obliged to worship him. Acts of worship and devotion are solely for God and not for kings and queens (wether real or mythical) deified by Brahmanical classes for whatever 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.’
Also by calling a mortal human being and worse an upper caste elite ruler as God is in itself a great fraud, manipulation and oppression on all counts.
It is strange that that while in their petty worldly matters they cannot tolerate multiple fathers of same child, two equal authorities in same nation, more than one Prime Minister or President at a same time, have strict border controls and rigid passport regimes to segregate human beings merely on the basis of nationality but in matters of divinity and religion, they go about preaching multiple gods promising wholesale salivations by any hook or crook through all sorts of simple and ostentatious rituals.
It only reflects the ulterior motive of Brahmanical classes to subject poor and innocent public into their control and domination through thousands of distractions in form endless deities, dramas, gods and goddesses.
Indeed, Human Lords and Kings have failed and perished in the past and will continue to do so. Only God, the creator almighty remains the true and eternal king and he will certainly hold them 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 كَسَبَتۡؕ 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
