How did Mahatma Gandhi view Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and other religions?

Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual outlook was rooted in his upbringing in Vaishnavism, a tradition within Hinduism influenced by the Jain principles of nonviolence and asceticism. Rather than adhering to a static set of beliefs, Gandhi’s understanding of faith evolved as he engaged with diverse religious texts, including the Bible and the Qur'an.1

Gandhi viewed religion and politics as inseparable, grounding his philosophy in the concepts of satya (truth) and ahimsa (nonviolence), which he identified as the highest dharma. His doctrine of nonviolence was informed by Hindu sources, Christian ethical literature, and the writings of Leo Tolstoy.23

While Gandhi sought to foster unity between Hindus and Muslims, his traditionalist practices—such as his reverence for the cow—sometimes hindered his ability to attract broad support from the Muslim community. Ultimately, his efforts to bridge religious divides faced significant challenges, as sectarian tensions persisted and eventually contributed to the partition of India and Pakistan.321