Br. Imran - Controversial speeches against Sikhism

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ਹਿੰਦੂ ਅੰਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਤੁਰਕੂ ਕਾਣਾ ॥ ਦੁਹਾਂ ਤੇ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਸਿਆਣਾ ॥
The Hindu is blind (No spiritual insight); the Muslim has one eye (partial spiritual insight),
out of these, Gyani is wiser (having complete spiritual insight). (ਪੰਨਾ 875, ਸਤਰ 2)



Br Imran, claims to be a student of comparative religions but showed irresponsibility while speaking on Sikhism

Mujtaba Hussain Siddiqui popularly known as Brother Imran is Founder President of IREF - Islamic Research & Educational Foundation, Hyderabad, India, established in 1998 C.E. Born a Muslim and an Indian, he was a student of Public Administration, Political Science and History from Nizam College, Hyderabad, India.

Br. Imran had since then, developed himself as a public speaker, conducting several public talks, dialogues, public debates with non-Muslim Scholars and religious heads, seminars, symposia etc., locally, nationally and internationally. Br. Imran is an orator on Islam and comparative religions. Br. Imran is also appreciated for his talks on current issues, mainly related to Jihad, Terrorism, Muslim conditions globally, etc.

In Youtube videos, he is posing a wrong image of the Sikh Religion among his listeners. He keeps on giving controversial remarks distorting many philosophical and historical aspects of Sikhism. Some of his remarks are answered with help of real facts.

There are following remarks against Sikh Thought:

  • Ramarks Against Hazrat Sheikh Fareed Sahib
  • Comments against Nanak visit to Mecca
  • Illusory comments on Khande Bate di Pahul

Remarks against Sheikh Fareed Sahib

As per hymns of Adi Guru Granth Sahib and Sikh viewpoint, Sheikh Fareed, was born in an Islamic family, but he accepted and followed thoughts and way of life that are in unison with the Sikh faith. This is the reason why Guru Arjun Dev accepted his hymns with his heart and placed them into Adi Granth Sahib. Sheikh Fareed have same place in hearts of Sikhs, as of Nanak, Gobind Singh or any other devotee.

Dr. Imran gave the following remarks in his speech regarding Hazrat Sheikh Fareed Sahib:

First Comment

Comment : Dr. Imran giving information to Muslim listeners that Major portion, maximum portion of Guru Granth Sahib contains hymns of Bhagat Farid

Facts : Baba Farid verses form less than 2% of the volume of the Sikh scripture. Farid ji's bani (verses) consist of 130 Shaloks and 4 Shabads present on page no. 1377 to page no. 1384 in voluminous granth of 1430 pages.[1]

It is worth mentioning that the Guru Granth Sahib contains hymns of five ex-muslim devotees: Satta Dumm, Rai Balvand, Bheekhan, Sheikh Fareed, Devotee Kabir. Among these sacred contributors, Bhagat Kabir contribute the most to the holy Granth Sahib followed by the others.

Result : Mujtaba Hussain Siddiqui is totally incorrect regarding this basic fact of Sheikh Fareed Hymns in Sikhism and commenting just by guesses. This will make his Imran's listeners more ignorant of comparitive religions.

Second comment

Comment 2 : Dr. Imran commented that "Sheikh Fareed does not have a prominent place in Islam. Sheikh Fareed as "adna muslim" (a small muslim having less knowledge), ki itni izzat ki ki uski baaton ko guru granth mei laa liya, to nabi muhammad ka to chod hi dee jiye"

Facts : The faith of a person cannot be recognized by birth but by practise of faith and Bhagat Fareed practised his faith in line with the Sikh faith. As mentioned Baba Fareed was not just a Muslim so he could not be categorized in Islam. He was follower of "twahid". Some of unique points about Fareed:

  1. In his 130 Shalokhas and 4 Shabads, He has not mentioned anything about Prophet Muhammad.
  2. In his 130 Shalokhas and 4 Shabads, He has not mentioned anything about Mecca, Qibla or Hajj.
  3. In his 130 Shalokhas and 4 Shabads, He even has not mentioned the words "Musalmaan" or "Islam".

It looks quite obvious that a large group of Muslims could not regard Fareed, but question is that why Fareed does not regard Islam? Being born in house of Muslims, guided by Muslims, nourished by Muslims and successor of a Seat of Muslims, he is impressed and inclined towards Gurmat Philosophy. This is the biggest point that Baba Fareed himself did not regarded Prophet Muhammad as final messenger - So how could Sikhs regard him as final messenger? Secondly Baba Fareed sanctified terminology of Islam in his hymns, and used it in a Gurmat thought process, not in an Islamic manner.

There is no comparison between Prophet Muhammad and Sheikh Fareed.
Sheikh Fareed has the same place in Sikhism as Prophet Muhammad has in Islam. In his hymnx, Fareed explained the way to attain Spiritual enlightenment. Sikhism believes Sheikh Fareed as "Paigambar", the one who gives message (paigaam) of Almighty. There is no philosophy of Last messenger (paigambar) in Sikhism but Sikhi does accepts the term, "Paigambar" - "Messenger of God".


The concept of Gurmat is :
One should Speak/Preach only after deep contemplation on subject and understood to its depth else do not speak. Br. Imran claims himself to be student of comparative religions, but from his commentary on Sikhism it is clear that he has not studied an iota of the sacred compositions of Sheikh Fareed. Br. Imran has not practised or studied the Sikh faith proves him not to be a resource for getting knowledge about Sikhism.

References