Author: Abu Ayesha
Shinto Religion (Part 20)
Introduction:
In this section—and in several others—we will attempt to describe some of the ceremonies, festivals, customs, traditions, and principles of the Shinto religion and examine them in the light of Islamic teachings. Through this comparison, we aim to understand how vast the difference is between these two systems: Islam—revealed by God for guiding humanity—and Shintoism, a man-made belief system created to satisfy human needs. By recognizing this contrast and understanding the reality and status of the blessed religion of Islam in the sight of Almighty God, we Muslims must appreciate the value of our faith and thank our Lord for the blessings He has bestowed upon us.
In this section, we will discuss the plurality of gods from the perspective of Islam and Shintoism. However, before examining this topic, it is better to take a brief look at the Kami of Shinto—the deities and sacred beings they revere and worship. [1]
The Number of Kami in Shinto
The exact number of Kami in Shintoism is unknown. Sources present differing opinions regarding this matter, although they all agree on one point: the number of Kami is indefinite and uncertain, and whatever is mentioned is subject to increase or decrease.
Overall, Shinto is one of those belief systems in which polytheism is fundamental, and its followers consider anything they revere or fear as a deity or divine being (Kami).
Shinto religious mythology speaks of eight million Kami, a symbolic expression representing an infinite number, and new groups of Kami continuously emerge from time to time.
This indicates that numbers hold little meaning regarding Kami, as it is impossible to count or enumerate them. New Kami appear from time to time, making enumeration extremely difficult. Therefore, it can be said that their number is truly unknown.
The Kami are so numerous that it is said eight million Kami are recognized in Japan, and people hold a strong belief in their existence. Collectively, they are also referred to as Yaoyorozu. Many of these Kami are revered on a national level, while others are worshipped only within local communities—or even within individual families. In fact, each family may have its own ancestral Kami. [2]
mentioned earlier, most Japanese people keep an ancestral Kami in their homes and venerate and honor it. Based on this, it becomes clear that the number of Kami is far greater than what has been stated here, because these Kami are not only found inside homes but also in temples. It should also be noted that the Japanese consider anything related to nature to be a Kami as well.
The large number of Kami indicates how widespread polytheism was in this religion—worshipping various gods created by humans themselves, supplicating before them, offering sacrifices, making vows, and presenting gifts and offerings to them. It shows the extent to which people believed in the multiplicity of gods (Kami).
The Deity in Islam
The Being worshipped in Islam—the One from whom all needs and requests are sought, before whom all nobles, people of authority, the powerful, and even the greatest kings bow—whose praise and glorification are proclaimed—is Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He.
He is the One who created His servants and assigned their sustenance. It is through servitude to Him that a person attains honor, greatness, and dignity, and without His name, a person is not worth even a speck of dust. Thus, in Islam, the servants bow to only one Divine Being.
The One worshipped in Islam is He from whom “the Light of the heavens and the earth” originates; the One to whom all will ultimately return. He is the God who sees the worship of every worshipper, hears the faintest whisper, knows the secrets of every heart, and is fully aware of all hidden matters. Yes—He is the One who is the First and the Last, the One by whose will no leaf falls from a tree, no drop of water descends from the sky, and no breeze blows.[3]
This is the One worthy of worship and servitude. This is the One whose love should fill the heart and whose wrath must be avoided. This is the One for whose pleasure sacrifices must be made. This is the One for whom bowing the head brings honor, and turning away from Him brings disgrace, humiliation, and shame in both worlds.
In short, Allah the Exalted is the Owner of the entire universe: “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. Truly, you are over all things competent. You cause the night to pass into the day, and You cause the day to pass into the night; You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living, and You provide for whom You will without measure. [4]
You diminish the night and increase the day, and You bring forth the living from the dead and bring forth the dead from the living, and You grant sustenance without measure to whomsoever You will.
This is the description of the Lord who is truly worthy of worship, obedience, and submission! Now the question arises: do the deities and Kami of Shinto possess even a fraction of these capabilities? Can they perform even a small part of such acts?
The answer, without the slightest doubt, is absolutely not; for their deities cannot fend off even the smallest harm from themselves—so how could they possibly bring benefit or harm to others, or take control over anything?
Continues…
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References:
- Kojiki, the Sacred Book of the Shinto Religion, translated by Dr. Ehsan Moghaddas, First Edition, Winter 2001 (Solar Hijri 1380), p. 19.
- Mehrsa, Parvaneh, “Kami / Deities of Japan,” published on the Blue Stage website, n.d.
- Culture of Japan, written by several scholars of anthropology and cultural studies;
- author of the referenced article: Hamadan Amiri-Yazdani, n.d., p. 113.
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Surah Āl ‘Imrān, Verses 26–27.
