Bollywood Superstar Bullied Online For Performing Pilgrimage Because Of Being A 'Half Hindu Half Muslim'

The Umrah' is when a Muslim visits Mecca to perform a pilgrimage.

Unlike a full Hajj which has specific dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar, the "lesser" Umrah can be undertaken at any time of the year. And unlike Hajj which is days long, Umrah can be done in just a few hours.

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was born in 1965 into a Muslim family in New Delhi. He is in fact, a religious person, saying that he strongly believes in Islam. In the past, he said that he really wanted to perform the pilgrimage, just like any Muslims out there around the world.

The thing is, the celebrity that is also known by the initialism SRK, also values his wife's religion, which is Punjabi Hindu.

His children follow both religions; at his home the Islam holy book the Qur'an is placed next to the murti of Hindu deities.

So when he is seen performing the Umrah, netizens quickly blasted him.

In photos shared by Instagram handle Team Shahrukh Khan, it's seen that the India superstar is wrapped in an Ihram attire in Masjid al-Haram.

SRK is seen at the Great Mosque of Mecca, where the Kaaba is located.

Saudi Arabia-based journalist, Said Hafiz, reshared the two photos of the Bollywood actor praying at Mecca.

"Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan @iamsrk performed Umrah in #Mecca today. May Allah swt accept his umrah, Ameen," he tweeted.

It didn't take long before several Muslims started abusing and questioning the Bollywood actor' faith and religion.

Several Muslims responded to the Saudi Arabia journalist who reposted the images of Shah Rukh Khan, saying that SRK keeps idols in his home, and that in Islam, keeping such things and praying to it is considered the greatest sin in Islam.

There is no greater sin than polytheism, one Twitter user said.

Some other criticized that SRK's earnings from his career should be considered haraam, and what that means, his Umrah would not be accepted.

At least one person said that SRK is "half Muslim half Hindu," suggesting that Shah Rukh Khan is not wholly a Muslim.

This is a reference to what SRK once said on Twitter.

In one occasion, he described himself on Twitter as "half Hyderabadi (mother), and half Pathan (father)." Both ethnic groups are known for being Islam practitioners.

It's worth noting that this is far from the first time Shah Rukh Khan has been attacked online due to what he practices.

Back in August 2022, for example, the Bollywood actor took to social media to share a picture of an idol of Lord Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Lord Ganesha is considered as one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon, and is the Supreme God in Ganapatya sect. Lord Ganesha that is often identified by his elephant head, is believed to be the remover of obstacles and the bringer of good luck

"Ganpatiji welcomed home by lil one and me….the modaks after were delicious…the learning is, through hard work, perseverance & faith in God, u can live your dreams. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to all," Shah Rukh Khan said on his post, as he welcomed the Ganpati Bappa to his home.

Almost immediately, Islamists on social media started posting their comments and replies, attacking him for committing Shirk, which is a sin for believing in other god(s) beside Allah.

Islam teaches that God does not share his divine attributes with anything, and associating something with God is disallowed according to the Islamic doctrine of Tawhid.

In this case, SRK is said to believe in polytheism, meaning that he committed to the worst sin according to Islam.

And back in September 2021, he also prayed for "Lord Ganesha’s blessings" and shall it "remain with all of us until we see him again next year […] ."

Shah Rukh Khan's name with Bollywood is almost synonymous, and that literally everybody in the entertainment industry in India must have heard of his talents, incredible screen presence and stupendous dialogue delivery.

With an acting career that started in 1988, Shah Rukh Khan has starred in films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dear Zindagi, My Name Is Khan, Swades, Don, Ra.One, and many more.

The actor married his wife, Gauri Khan, on October 25, 1991.

As a married couple, they are parents to three children Aryan Khan, Suhana Khan and the youngest AbRam Khan.

SRK is a Muslim by birth, and once said that "I'm a god fearing person, I'm Muslim so I say Allah, am grateful for this lovely life."

But at the same time, he believes in worshipping and respecting all other religions.

In a 2005 documentary, SRK revealed that his children are open to all religions, and that they recite Gayatri mantra and salat with equal faith and enthusiasm.

"I am a Muslim, my wife is a Hindu and my kids are Hindustan," he once said.

SRK also has revealed that any religion is not discussed at his house.

For most of his life, Shah Rukh Khan is known for enjoying a secular household, and has long been vocal about secularism.