Allahu Akbar

"Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only. And those who take Auliya' (protectors and helpers) besides Him (say): "We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah." Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever- Surah Az Zumar 39:3"

I was startled on reading this post of a friend on Facebook. Barring the Islamic references, you could say this about the religion that I follow too - Jainism. You could probably say this about many of the religions followed today.

The key point being made here is that the supreme power or God only is to be worshipped. Not the 'protectors and helpers'. Put in a Jain context, only 'Arihant' is to be bowed to, not the 'devis' and 'devtas'. My guess is this is being said due to the increased worshipping of those other than the supreme being. Only the supreme being is perfect and worthy of bowing to. Not the imperfect 'protectors and helpers'.

What is the point in worshipping someone who has the same frailties as you? It is only worth bowing before or worshipping someone who is perfect, someone you aspire to become like. Someone who has reached the pinnacle of all endeavor.

Through time, all religions get corrupted by their so-called preachers. Preachers interpret the scriptures at variance with the original intended meaning and the common followers accept this as the supreme truth. To question, of course, is considered blasphemy.

So, it is only :

"Allahu Akbar", not anybody else.

"Namo Arihantanam", not anybody else.