Guru Granth Sahib's guidance for Muslims: Difference between revisions

From SikhiWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
(New page: No Islamic literature could dare to present the strongest contempt for those Muslims who do not offer Nimaz as said by Hazrat Baba Sheikh Farid in [[Shri Guru Gran...)
 
 
(35 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
No Islamic literature could dare to present the strongest contempt for those [[Muslim]]s who do not offer [[Nimaz]] as said by [[Sheikh Farid|Hazrat Baba Sheikh Farid]] in [[Shri Guru Granth Sahib]]. Baba Farid (1175-1265) ascended to his heavenly abode about two and a half-century before [[Guru Nanak]].
{{fa|186}}
[[Image:Guru Granth Sahib By Bhai Pratap Singh Giani.jpg|300px|thumb|right|{{cs|[[Guru Granth Sahib]] offers spiritual guidance for all!}}]]


Guru Sahib met his eleventh successor Hazrat Ibrahim Farid-I-Sani i.e., the 2nd Farid, collected and preserved his hymns. There is no trace of his hymns anywhere else. After about a hundred years these were included in the holy Granth Sahib, otherwise this most valuable treasure would have been lost forever.
The [[Sikh holy scriptures]] are perhaps the only historic religious text that can be rightly categorised as having 'inter-faith' and 'multi-faith' dimensions from inception. The [[Sikh scriptures]] are unique among the religious "Holy Books" of the world in that they don't just offer spiritual guidance for their own adherents alone but impart guidance and assistance for all the peoples and religious factions of the world.


On page No.1381 it is inscribed that, ''“O Benimazi (prayer less) dog, this is not a proper way of life. You never come to the Mosque for five times prayers. Get up O Farid, wash your face, hands and legs, and offer the Nimaz in the morning. The head, which does not bow to the Sayeen (God), cut it off (own head) and remove that head. The head, which does not bow before the Sayeen, what is the use of such head? Burn it under the earthen pot in place of firewood”''.  
Many world [[Sikhs in the Eyes of Others|renowned scholars]] have recognised the [[Siri Guru Granth]] as a supreme treasure for all of mankind. It is accepted by all that the Granth is the true and permanent spiritual guide of the [[Sikhs]]; but it has not as yet been generally recognised that it is also a true spiritual guide for all of humanity. Guru Granth Sahib transcends creed and caste, cant and convention. It does not belong to the Sikhs alone.  


I have quoted this verse as one example. Otherwise there are many more instructions for [[Muslim]]s even by the [[Sikh Gurus]] to become better Muslims in accordance with the basic tenet of the Quran in its true letter and spirit.
Considering [[Islam]] in particular, perhaps no other historical [[Islam|Islamic]] verse holds such strong contempt for [[Muslim]]s who fail to carry out the daily [[Nimaz]] as can be attributed to [[Sheikh Farid|Hazrat Baba Sheikh Farid]] as recorded in the [[Shri Guru Granth Sahib]]. Baba Farid ji was a [[Muslim]] whose many verses are preserved only in the holy Granth and cannot be found elsewhere. He was an enlightened soul from the Almighty Lord who left a common message for everyone to learn from.


[[Guru Granth Sahib]] is an inter-religious and multi-lingual Universal Scripture of mankind that preaches to a Muslim to be a better and purer Muslim; and a [[Hindu]] to be a better Hindu. And for the Sikh to be above the discrimination of gender, caste, creed, religion, region, nation and breed.
==Strong, straight and direct==


Guru Granth Sahib is aimed at all secular, spiritual and God fearing human beings. In the holy  Granth you will find the teachings for Muslims not only by the Muslims, but also by Sikh Gurus and others, which proves the basic Sikh tenet of respecting other religions. The text reveals how Muslims are to follow their own Scriptures and rituals in true letter and spirit. In the same way Hindus are advised to follow their own Scriptures and rituals in true spirit.
Though [[Baba Farid]] (1175-1265), a [[Sufi]] of the Chisti order preceded [[Guru Nanak]] by some 200 years, Babaji's verses were incorporated by Guru Nanak into the holy Granth. On [http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&Param=1381&english=t&id=58915#l58915 page 1381] in the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] the following verse is transcribed, where Baba ji sternly addresses himself: ''“Farid, you bay-nimazi (prayer less) dog, this is not a proper way to live. You never go to the Mosque for your five daily prayers. Get up Farid, wash your face, hands and legs, and offer the Nimaz in the morning. The head, which does not bow to Sayeen (God), cut it off (he was speaking of his own head) and remove that head. The head, which does not bow before the Sayeen, what is the use of such a head? Burn it under the earthen pot in place of firewood”''.  


In the title “ Shri Guru Granth Sahib ” prefix “ Shri ” indicates mark of respect. “ Guru ” means Spiritual Guide. Granth means book and the suffix “ Sahib ” again marks respect. This title was chosen in the year 1708 by the 10th Guru Shri Guru Gobind Singh to eternally continue the sacred mission of Shri Guru Nanak Sahib for uniting people of all religions.
Baba ji uttered this strong dialogue, aimed at himself. It goes to highlight the importance that is placed on the daily remembrance of the Creator. [[Guru Arjan dev]] who complied the holy Granth and included this verse as he wants us all to learn from it. If we forget the Lord and do not remember Him daily in our prayers, what use is this human incarnation? The mind that cannot thank the Lord for this life is useless - just like firewood!


The Sikh place of worship is called a Gurdwara. It means the door to approach the Guru. Shri Guru Granth Sahib is kept open, covered with linen and with utmost respect on a high pedestal in the hall; this process of installing the Granth is called to light (Prakash) the Scripture. The Sikhs receive the light of spiritual guidance from here. People of all religions, castes and creeds, men and women are entitled to enter a Gurdwara.
This is only one verse of the many instructions for [[Muslim]]s and others included and written in the [[Sikh scriptures]] by the [[Sikh Gurus]], who wanted all humans to become better spiritually aware people. In this case, although the verse is aimed at Muslims to live in accordance with the basic tenants of the [[Quran]] in its true letter and spirit, we can all learn and gain from it!


Even during the period of menstruation, which is God’s anatomical mechanism, women are not prohibited from performing any religious functions. Regarding the greatness of women it is questioned, how she who gives birth to kings and saints can be considered impure? In Gurdwara no worship is performed, only recitation of Gurbani (path) is done. No idol, picture or object is kept.
==Guru Granth Sahib==


Obeisance is offered only before Shri Guru Granth Sahib as a living spiritual guide, and different shastar (arms) are kept before it. Without a Kirpan nobody is entitled to be called a Sikh, nor his prayer is complete. The Sikh and the Kirpan [for protecting the weak against injustice and tyranny] can never be separated. Shri Guru Gobind Singh has specifically ordered, “Not to come before him without shastar”.
[[Guru Granth Sahib]] includes many major works composed by several Hindus primarily of the Bhakti movement and two [[Sufi]]s Bhagats ([[Bikhan]] and [[Farid]]) of the Chisti order; though invested as the eternal Guru by the last human [[Guru of the Sikhs]], [[Guru Gobind Singh]], it serves as an inter-religious and multi-lingual universal scripture for mankind. It guides a [[Muslim]] to be a better and purer Muslim, a [[Hindu]] to be a better Hindu and a [[Sikh]] to be a better Sikh. The Sikh holy Granth even addresses and admonishes the discrimination based on gender, caste, creed and race.


Sikhism is a unique combination of strength and worship. Shri Guru Nanak Sahib himself had laid down the mental and psychological foundation of this philosophy. It is ignorant distortion of facts to describe that his successor Gurus had adopted the marshal way deviating from the worshipping way of life. To know the real facts of any religion, history can never be a reliable source of information.  
Guru Granth Sahib is a guide for all secular, spiritual and God fearing human beings. In the holy  Granth you will find the great thoughts on religion not only of Sufi Muslims, but also by [[Sikh Gurus]] and others, which proves the basic [[Sikh tenet]] of respecting other religions. The text reveals how Muslims are to follow their own scriptures and rituals in true letter and spirit. In the same way Hindus are advised to follow their own scriptures and rituals in true spirit. The Sikh holy Granth deems empty rituals such as fasting and the believe in auspicious days or months as useless.


Only the Scriptures, its contents, and the performance of the followers can lead us to conclusions, which can never be denied. Histories of the olden days or of the present day are manipulated at the behest of the rulers or to please them and often it is not related to the real facts. Whoever wrote factual history was victimised by the rulers and the histories were destroyed. This has happened with the Sikh history too.
''"You keep your fasts to please Allah, while you murder other beings for pleasure. You look after your own interests, and so not see the interests of others. What good is your word?"'' (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji {{sggs-p|483|21844}}).'


To colour as anti-Islam and anti-Muslim, Hindus have presented the Sikhs as a community born to protect them and fight against Muslims. The Muslims have liberally projected the Sikhs as their dead enemies as there was sequence of battles between Sikhs and Muslim rulers, even though there were many Muslims who were devoted to the Sikh cause and suffered with them.  
The Sikh place of worship is called a [[Gurdwara]] which literally means "the door to the [[Guru]]". Most historic Gurdwaras have 4 doors so that anyone from any faith is welcomed. Guru Granth Sahib is kept open, covered with linen and with utmost respect on a high pedestal in the [[Darbar]] hall; this process of installing the Granth is called the "prakash of the Guru" meaning the "Light of the Guru". The [[Gurbani]] (1430 pages of SGGS) is given to us so that we can attain true Spiritual Understanding. People of all religions, castes and creeds, men and women are invited to enter a Gurdwara to receive this spiritual enlightenment.  


Most Hindu writers have spent their entire energy to assimilate the Sikhs as Hindus or declare them as an offshoot of Hinduism. Independent India has put the last nail in the coffin by declaring Sikhs as Hindus in the Constitution of the country.
As a sign of gender equality, even during the period of menstruation, which is one of God’s anatomical mechanisms, women are not prohibited from performing any religious functions in the Gurdwara. Regarding the greatness of women the Guru asks, ''"How is it that she who gives birth to kings and saints can be considered impure?"'' Hence, the Guru has given equal rights to women since about 1499 when Gurbani was first recited by the founder, [[Guru Nanak]]


It is not that the Sikhs have not protested. Their voice was not heard in the drum beatings of the society and state. During every period of history, the Sikhs have struggled through protests, writings and speeches for own independent and separate identity and constantly offered great sacrifices and suffered untold humiliations.
==Guru's message for Muslims==


In the recent times, such an attempt was maligned as a political revolt against the country and a secessionist Khalistan movement. In 1984 the Blue Star Operation by the military was chosen on the Martyrdom day of Shri Guru Arjan Sahib, the compiler of Shri Guru Granth Sahib and founder of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). On this occasion not even an inch of space is available in any Gurdwara due to a heavy rush of visitors.
===Be Truthful, Live honestly, Good will to all===


The Golden Temple and 74 other Gurdwaras were stormed, desecrated, plundered and thousands of Sikhs were massacred. To suppress people who wanted their identity to be preserved, they were hunted all over the world. The state and society have played a great role and successfully divided the community in so-called moderates and so-called fundamentalists.
{{tukc|141|5773|ਪੰਜਿ ਨਿਵਾਜਾ ਵਖਤ ਪੰਜਿ ਪੰਜਾ ਪੰਜੇ ਨਾਉ ॥ <br>
ਪਹਿਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਹਲਾਲ ਦੁਇ ਤੀਜਾ ਖੈਰ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਚਉਥੀ ਨੀਅਤਿ ਰਾਸਿ ਮਨੁ ਪੰਜਵੀ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਸਨਾਇ ॥ <br>
ਕਰਣੀ ਕਲਮਾ ਆਖਿ ਕੈ ਤਾ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਸਦਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੇਤੇ ਕੂੜਿਆਰ ਕੂੜੈ ਕੂੜੀ ਪਾਇ ॥੩॥
|pa(n)j nivaajaa vakhath pa(n)j pa(n)jaa pa(n)jae naao.<br>
pehilaa sach halaal dhue theejaa khair khudhaae. chouthhee neeath raas man pa(n)javee sifath sanaae.<br>
karanee kalamaa aakh kai thaa musalamaan sadhaae. naanak jaethae koorriaar koorrai koorree paae (3)
|There are five prayers and five times of day for prayer; the five have five names.<br>Let the first be truthfulness, the second honest living, and the third charity in the Name of God.<br>Let the fourth be good will to all, and the fifth the praise of the Lord.<br>Repeat the prayer of good deeds, and then, you may call yourself a Muslim.<br>O Nanak, the false obtain falsehood, and only falsehood. (3)}}


A Sikh does not belong to any religion. He is a believer of humanism and spiritualism and an Inter-Religious “ Sovereign Person of the Wondrous God ” (Wahguru Ji Ka Khalsa). So no Sikh could have any ill feelings with other human being.
===Becoming a true Muslim===
{{tukc|141|5788|ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਕਹਾਵਣੁ ਮੁਸਕਲੁ ਜਾ ਹੋਇ ਤਾ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥ <br>
ਅਵਲਿ ਅਉਲਿ ਦੀਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਠਾ ਮਸਕਲ ਮਾਨਾ ਮਾਲੁ ਮੁਸਾਵੈ ॥ ਹੋਇ ਮੁਸਲਿਮੁ ਦੀਨ ਮੁਹਾਣੈ ਮਰਣ ਜੀਵਣ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਵੈ ॥<br>
ਰਬ ਕੀ ਰਜਾਇ ਮੰਨੇ ਸਿਰ ਉਪਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਮੰਨੇ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਉ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ਮਿਹਰੰਮਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥੧॥
| musalamaan kehaavan musakal jaa hoe thaa musalamaan kehaavai. <br>
aval aoul dheen kar mit(h)aa masakal maanaa maal musaavai. hoe musalim dheen muhaanai maran jeevan kaa bharam chukaavai.<br>
rab kee rajaae ma(n)nae sir oupar karathaa ma(n)nae aap gavaavai. tho naanak sarab jeeaa mihara(n)math hoe th musalamaan kehaavai (1)
|It is difficult to be called a Muslim; if one is truly a Muslim, then he may be called one. <br>First, let him savor the religion of the Prophet as sweet; then, let his pride of his possessions be scraped away.<br>Becoming a true Muslim, a disciple of the faith of Mohammed, let him put aside the delusion of death and life.<br>As he submits to God's Will, and surrenders to the Creator, he is rid of selfishness and conceit.<br>And when, O Nanak, he is merciful to all beings, only then shall he be called a Muslim. (1)}}


The Sikh is bowing his head since more than 400 years, before Shri Guru Granth Sahib in which the saints of Muslims, the untouchables and Hindus from different communities are also seated. He is the convinced follower of the teachings of all these saints equally, and reveres it as Gurbani, and can never be attracted by one religion or hatred for another. This is the reason Sikhs could not become a party to any communal riots, except during the emotionally charged provocative event of partition of the country.  
===Allah is hidden in every heart===
{{tukc|483|21851|ਰੋਜਾ ਧਰੈ ਮਨਾਵੈ ਅਲਹੁ ਸੁਆਦਤਿ ਜੀਅ ਸੰਘਾਰੈ ॥ ਆਪਾ ਦੇਖਿ ਅਵਰ ਨਹੀ ਦੇਖੈ ਕਾਹੇ ਕਉ ਝਖ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥ <br>
ਕਾਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਏਕੁ ਤੋਹੀ ਮਹਿ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੋਚਿ ਬਿਚਾਰਿ ਨ ਦੇਖੈ ॥ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਕਰਹਿ ਦੀਨ ਕੇ ਬਉਰੇ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਲੇਖੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ <br>
ਸਾਚੁ ਕਤੇਬ ਬਖਾਨੈ ਅਲਹੁ ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਪਢੇ ਗੁਨੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਛੁ ਬਉਰੇ ਜਉ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥ <br>
ਅਲਹੁ ਗੈਬੁ ਸਗਲ ਘਟ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਲੇਹੁ ਬਿਚਾਰੀ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਦੁਹੂੰ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੈ ਕਹੈ ਕਬੀਰ ਪੁਕਾਰੀ ॥੩॥੭॥੨੯॥
|rojaa dhharai manaavai alahu suaadhath jeea sa(n)ghaarai. aapaa dhaekh avar nehee dhaekhai kaahae ko jhakh maarai (1) <br>
kaajee saahib eaek thohee mehi thaeraa soch bichaar n dhaekhai. khabar n karehi dheen kae bourae thaa thae janam alaekhai (1)(rehaao) <br>
saach kathaeb bakhaanai alahu naar purakh nehee koee. padtae gunae naahee kashh bourae jo dhil mehi khabar n hoee. (2) <br>
alahu gaib sagal ghatt bheethar hiradhai laehu bichaaree. hi(n)dhoo thurak dhuhoo(n) mehi eaekai kehai kabeer pukaaree. (3)(7)(29)
|You keep your fasts to please Allah, while you murder other beings for pleasure.<br>You look after your own interests, and so not see the interests of others. What good is your word? (1)<br>
O Qazi, the One Lord is within you, but you do not behold Him by thought or contemplation.<br>You do not care for others, you are a religious fanatic, and your life is of no account at all. (1)(Pause)<br>
Your holy scriptures say that Allah is True, and that he is neither male nor female.<br>But you gain nothing by reading and studying, O mad-man, if you do not gain the understanding in your heart. (2)<br>
Allah is hidden in every heart; reflect upon this in your mind.<br>The One Lord is within both Hindu and Muslim; Kabeer proclaims this out loud. (3)(7)(29)}}


Earlier than this or after this, even after the genocide of 1984, the Sikhs have never exhibited any revenge, hatred or ill feelings against the community responsible for the carnage. The basic reason for such an attitude lies in the teachings of Shri Guru Granth Sahib.
==Sikhs hold no bias==


There is a most glaring example of Sikh-Muslim relations. The Sikhs have ruled for 84 years in Punjab including present Pakistan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, parts of Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring foreign lands of Afghanistan and China, but cared and nursed a small Muslim State of Malerkotla in Punjab, not even touching it during the partition riots.  
A Sikh does not show preference to any religion; he is a believer of humanism and spiritualism and a "citizen of Waheguru" - a inter-religious wonderland;  “Sovereign person of the Wondrous God” (Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa). So a Sikh should not have any ill feelings with persons of other religions.  


After independence, Nawab of Malerkotla was elected more than once on Akali Dal ticket to the Legislative Assembly. (Muslims of Malerkotla have taken an oath along with Sikhs at Shri Akal Takhat Sahib and participated in the Akali agitations on several occasions.) This was in token of the gratitude towards Nawab Sher Mohmmad Khan.
In reverence, a Sikh bows his head, as Sikhs have been doing for more than 400 years, before the [[Guru Granth Sahib]], which has in addition to the collected  Bani (hymns) of the Sikh Gurus,  includes  the hymns of  both [[Muslim]] and Hindu Sants of various varnas. The Sikh is the convinced follower of the teachings of all these saints equally, and reveres all of the text as [[Gurbani]], and can never be attracted by one religion representation or hatred for another. This is the reason Sikhs should not become a party to any communal arguments or riots.


In December 1705 Wazir Khan, Governor of Sarhind, got imprisoned 81 years mother of Guru Sahib Mata Gujjar Kaur and younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh of 9 years and Sahibzada Fateh Singh of 6 years. He wanted to convert these children into Islam by giving incentives and threats. On their refusal they were tortured for four days before being bricked alive. During the proceedings in the court of the Governor, Dewan Suchha Nand Khatri, was emitting venom against Guru Sahib and pleaded for severe punishment.
It should be noted that despite the atrocities committed by the [[Mughal]] leadership in the name of their religion, the Sikh Gurus never criticised their religion, rather they blamed their evil directly. In the following verses of the [[Zafarnama]],   [[Guru Gobind Singh]] addresses the evil practices of Aurangzeb directly, he never attacks his religion:


On the other hand Nawab Sher Mohmmad Khan of MalerKotla, has strongly protested. Upon this the Governor reminded him that, they are the children of the Guru who has killed his brother Nahar Khan in the battle of Chamkour from where he was just returning. The Nawab replied, I would settle my scores with the Guru in the battlefield, but putting any harm to these innocents was against Islam.
{{quoter|Aurangzeb! I did not know that you are a perjurer; that you are mere worshipper of wealth and breaker of your faith.<br>You neither follow the teachings of Islam nor you understand its meaning. You do not know the ways of the Lord nor do you have any faith in the Prophet Mohammed.<br>Any believer of his faith, will not look here and there (while fulfilling) his own promises.<br>This man (Aurangzeb) who swears by the Koran as well as by One God, cannot be trusted even equivalent of a speck of sand.<br>(So now) if you swear hundred times on the Koran, I do not have trust in you even equivalent to a drop of water.|Zafarnama verse 46-49}}


These facts had been deliberately or ignorantly distorted, but how can anybody deny the facts, which are very much existing in present scenario and evidently speaking the truth of history. On 16th February 1994 at Gurdwara Akal Gadh, Ludhiana, in a historical conference, President of United States Mr. Bill Clinton was conferred the title “Nawab Malerkotla” for his sympathy towards the innocent and indiscriminate killings in Punjab. The Nawab who protested against the killing of younger sons of Guru Sahib.
So beware! Don't just jump in and criticise the religion of the tyrant without thinking. Is the person actually following the faith that he professes to belong to. In all cases, one will find that the tyrant will not have understood their own faith and they will not be truly following their own faith correctly.


The Sikh movement was initiated to eradicate the misunderstandings created between Islam and Hinduism and harmonise their relations. Though faith in God is fundamental in both the religions, the vested interests created a wedge by finding faults in rituals and customs to separate and divide them by searching disparities, contradicting and opposing each other.
==See also==


Sikhism came into existence to unite them, project their basic similarities and draw their attention towards the fundamental philosophy of worshipping the Only Creator and respect its Creation in whatsoever manner and language. The forces with vested interest, particularly the rulers and historians have not spared any attempt to distort the independent and separate identity of this Most Humane Movement of Sikhism.
* [[Muslim]]
* [[Gurbani and Islam]]
* [[Guidance for all]]
* [[Bhai Mardana]]
* [[Gurdwara Baba Jaani Shah]]
* [[Sikh Bhagats]]
* [[Sheikh Farid]]
* [[Bhagat Kabir]]
* [[Saint Hazrat Mian Mir]]
* [[Guru Amar Das Ji And The Muslim Faqir]]
* [[World Muslim Sikh Federation]]
* [[Pakistan]]
* [[Recognize the human race as one]]
* [[Mughal]]


Shri Guru Granth Sahib has played a significant role to unite Hindus and Muslims for co-existence. Right from the days of Shri Guru Nanak Sahib, all the first five Gurus have been collecting and preserving the hymns from the nook and corner of the country in the original languages of the Muslim Sufis, so-called untouchable and Hindu Bhagats for 135 years, to include in a single source of guidance to the entire mankind.
{{Sggson}}
 
[[Category:SGGS]]
For example, Hazrat Baba Sheikh Fariduddin Masood Gunj-I- Shakar (1175-1265) of Punjab in Punjabi, and Bhagat Jai Dev (1201-1245) of Bengal in Sanskrit, expired about two and a half-century before the 1st Guru Shri Guru Nanak Sahib was born. Guru Sahib himself personally collected their authenticated hymns, when he visited their places. This Scripture consists upon the wisdom and experience of 36 pious souls revealed to them during 500 years from Hazrat Baba Sheikh Fariduddin Masood Gunj-I-Shakar (1175-1265) to the 9th Guru Shri Guru Tegh Bahadar (1621-1675).
{{message of SGGS}}
 
{{muslim}}
5th Guru Shri Guru Arjan Sahib himself compiled it in 5 years from 1599 to 1604. Later 10th Guru Shri Guru Gobind Singh has added the compositions of the 9th Guru Shri Guru Tegh Bahadar in the year 1705. He bestowed Guruship to this Scripture in the year 1708.
 
It is a misconception that this Scripture is in Punjabi language. This is in multi-lingual communicative spoken languages of the country in addition to Sanskrit, Shaskriti and Persian. A separate Script is invented by the 2nd Guru Shri Guru Angad Sahib to scribe these collections of different languages in one simple Script, which is known as “Gurmukhi” and now recognised as a Script for Punjabi language. In those days Punjabi language was written in local scripts in rural areas and in Urdu Script in urban areas and in Pakistan it is still written in Urdu Script.
 
There are 36 contributors from various walks of life in this Scripture. Among them only 6 are Sikh Gurus, 2 are so-called untouchable Bhagats, 7 are Muslims and remaining are from different communities from among the Hindus. The Muslim contributors are, Bhagat Sheikh Kabir Jolaha Quddisa Sirra-hu a weaver and Bhagat Sheikh Bhikan were of Uttar Pradesh. Bhagat Sadhna was a butcher from Sind. Rai Satta, Rai Balwand, Bhai Mardana and Hazrat Baba Sheikh Farid of Punjab.
 
The Sufi saints preached Islam through love, affection, equality and spiritual knowledge and thousands of Hindus embraced Islam. The living evidence can be witnessed at the Dargahs all over the country, where Hindus in many folds outnumber Muslims in paying their obeisance. Among them Hazrat Baba Sheikh Farid has a distinct place, who was instrumental in en-bloc converting hundreds of villages in the north-west belt of the country.
 
After formation of Pakistan, several Pakistan newspapers have written editorials stating that, actually the foundation of Pakistan was laid down eight hundred years back by Hazrat Baba Sheikh Farid when this belt was changed into Muslim majority area. Though Shri Guru Nanak Sahib and the Sikh movement were the champions of equality of human beings, religious freedom for all and resisted oppressions and forcible conversions by sacrifices and sword, but they were great admirers of Hazrat Baba Sheikh Farid. This is the living evidence that the Sikhs were against oppression by the Society and the State, but never against Muslims and Islam.
 
The recent incident of “Guru Ki Masjid” may be fresh in the minds. The 6th Guru Shri Guru Hargobind constructed a Mosque at village Hargobind Pur of Gurdas Pur district of Punjab. This was constructed with the contributions of Daswandh of the Sikhs and they built it with their “Kar Seva” (voluntarily service by hands), which was famous as “ Guru Ki Masjid ”.
 
In 1947 after the partition, the Muslim population migrated from the village, and the Masjid was abandoned. The Sikhs took over the premises and established a Gurdwara and the name of Masjid continued as “ Gurdwara Guru Ki Masjid ”. In the year 2003 some Muslims came to the village for settlement. Then the Sikhs, voluntarily, handed over that structure for restoring the Mosque again. Now the same “Guru Ki Masjid” stands as a symbol of religious tolerance of the Sikhs. Now a days when Mandir – Masjid conflicts and hatred are spread all over the world, this exemplary gesture of the Sikhs is a shining example of their belief of oneness of God and oneness of humanity.
 
In today’s civilised society some individuals and organisations of Hindu, Muslims, Boudhi and Christian are trying to prove their religion superior to all other religions. To convert others to their own religion, apart from other legitimate or illegitimate means, people spread hatred and negate the religion of others.
 
This situation has created an atmosphere of unrest and bloodshed. Thus society is divided into two groups of people. The Fundamentalists think other religions are much inferior to their own. And the Secularists discard religion as source of all evils and are proud to be called moderates and irreligious. This attitude is responsible for producing a generation without the spiritual base necessary for life.
 
Today humanity is exploring the unseen in the sky and in the depths of the earth and the sea, but it is unaware of itself. The circumstances demand that every right thinking person should come forward to save human race from this degradation and let people follow their own Scripture in true letter and spirit.
 
The study of Shri Guru Granth Sahib if done as Scripture of the Sikhs can never convey the real message it intends to spread. But if it is studied with the object to know about the Creator and its Creation, the correct perspective and message can be understood. My trilingual book “Shri Guru Granth Sahib – Teachings for Muslims”, with Gurbani in Urdu script, and explanation in Urdu and English was very well received.
 
May the God Almighty bless us with the vision to search for similarities among ourselves and not let our differences divide us?
 
* Based on article [http://www.sikhspectrum.com/072008/nsn.htm Shri Guru Granth Sahib – Its relevance for Muslims] by Nanak Singh Nishter
 
{{Bani}}

Latest revision as of 15:13, 7 November 2014

Guru Granth Sahib offers spiritual guidance for all!

The Sikh holy scriptures are perhaps the only historic religious text that can be rightly categorised as having 'inter-faith' and 'multi-faith' dimensions from inception. The Sikh scriptures are unique among the religious "Holy Books" of the world in that they don't just offer spiritual guidance for their own adherents alone but impart guidance and assistance for all the peoples and religious factions of the world.

Many world renowned scholars have recognised the Siri Guru Granth as a supreme treasure for all of mankind. It is accepted by all that the Granth is the true and permanent spiritual guide of the Sikhs; but it has not as yet been generally recognised that it is also a true spiritual guide for all of humanity. Guru Granth Sahib transcends creed and caste, cant and convention. It does not belong to the Sikhs alone.

Considering Islam in particular, perhaps no other historical Islamic verse holds such strong contempt for Muslims who fail to carry out the daily Nimaz as can be attributed to Hazrat Baba Sheikh Farid as recorded in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib. Baba Farid ji was a Muslim whose many verses are preserved only in the holy Granth and cannot be found elsewhere. He was an enlightened soul from the Almighty Lord who left a common message for everyone to learn from.

Strong, straight and direct

Though Baba Farid (1175-1265), a Sufi of the Chisti order preceded Guru Nanak by some 200 years, Babaji's verses were incorporated by Guru Nanak into the holy Granth. On page 1381 in the Guru Granth Sahib the following verse is transcribed, where Baba ji sternly addresses himself: “Farid, you bay-nimazi (prayer less) dog, this is not a proper way to live. You never go to the Mosque for your five daily prayers. Get up Farid, wash your face, hands and legs, and offer the Nimaz in the morning. The head, which does not bow to Sayeen (God), cut it off (he was speaking of his own head) and remove that head. The head, which does not bow before the Sayeen, what is the use of such a head? Burn it under the earthen pot in place of firewood”.

Baba ji uttered this strong dialogue, aimed at himself. It goes to highlight the importance that is placed on the daily remembrance of the Creator. Guru Arjan dev who complied the holy Granth and included this verse as he wants us all to learn from it. If we forget the Lord and do not remember Him daily in our prayers, what use is this human incarnation? The mind that cannot thank the Lord for this life is useless - just like firewood!

This is only one verse of the many instructions for Muslims and others included and written in the Sikh scriptures by the Sikh Gurus, who wanted all humans to become better spiritually aware people. In this case, although the verse is aimed at Muslims to live in accordance with the basic tenants of the Quran in its true letter and spirit, we can all learn and gain from it!

Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Granth Sahib includes many major works composed by several Hindus primarily of the Bhakti movement and two Sufis Bhagats (Bikhan and Farid) of the Chisti order; though invested as the eternal Guru by the last human Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, it serves as an inter-religious and multi-lingual universal scripture for mankind. It guides a Muslim to be a better and purer Muslim, a Hindu to be a better Hindu and a Sikh to be a better Sikh. The Sikh holy Granth even addresses and admonishes the discrimination based on gender, caste, creed and race.

Guru Granth Sahib is a guide for all secular, spiritual and God fearing human beings. In the holy Granth you will find the great thoughts on religion not only of Sufi Muslims, but also by Sikh Gurus and others, which proves the basic Sikh tenet of respecting other religions. The text reveals how Muslims are to follow their own scriptures and rituals in true letter and spirit. In the same way Hindus are advised to follow their own scriptures and rituals in true spirit. The Sikh holy Granth deems empty rituals such as fasting and the believe in auspicious days or months as useless.

"You keep your fasts to please Allah, while you murder other beings for pleasure. You look after your own interests, and so not see the interests of others. What good is your word?" (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Page 483).'

The Sikh place of worship is called a Gurdwara which literally means "the door to the Guru". Most historic Gurdwaras have 4 doors so that anyone from any faith is welcomed. Guru Granth Sahib is kept open, covered with linen and with utmost respect on a high pedestal in the Darbar hall; this process of installing the Granth is called the "prakash of the Guru" meaning the "Light of the Guru". The Gurbani (1430 pages of SGGS) is given to us so that we can attain true Spiritual Understanding. People of all religions, castes and creeds, men and women are invited to enter a Gurdwara to receive this spiritual enlightenment.

As a sign of gender equality, even during the period of menstruation, which is one of God’s anatomical mechanisms, women are not prohibited from performing any religious functions in the Gurdwara. Regarding the greatness of women the Guru asks, "How is it that she who gives birth to kings and saints can be considered impure?" Hence, the Guru has given equal rights to women since about 1499 when Gurbani was first recited by the founder, Guru Nanak

Guru's message for Muslims

Be Truthful, Live honestly, Good will to all

ਪੰਜਿ ਨਿਵਾਜਾ ਵਖਤ ਪੰਜਿ ਪੰਜਾ ਪੰਜੇ ਨਾਉ ॥

ਪਹਿਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਹਲਾਲ ਦੁਇ ਤੀਜਾ ਖੈਰ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਚਉਥੀ ਨੀਅਤਿ ਰਾਸਿ ਮਨੁ ਪੰਜਵੀ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਸਨਾਇ ॥
ਕਰਣੀ ਕਲਮਾ ਆਖਿ ਕੈ ਤਾ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਸਦਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੇਤੇ ਕੂੜਿਆਰ ਕੂੜੈ ਕੂੜੀ ਪਾਇ ॥੩॥

pa(n)j nivaajaa vakhath pa(n)j pa(n)jaa pa(n)jae naao.

pehilaa sach halaal dhue theejaa khair khudhaae. chouthhee neeath raas man pa(n)javee sifath sanaae.
karanee kalamaa aakh kai thaa musalamaan sadhaae. naanak jaethae koorriaar koorrai koorree paae (3)

There are five prayers and five times of day for prayer; the five have five names.
Let the first be truthfulness, the second honest living, and the third charity in the Name of God.
Let the fourth be good will to all, and the fifth the praise of the Lord.
Repeat the prayer of good deeds, and then, you may call yourself a Muslim.
O Nanak, the false obtain falsehood, and only falsehood. (3)

Becoming a true Muslim

ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਕਹਾਵਣੁ ਮੁਸਕਲੁ ਜਾ ਹੋਇ ਤਾ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥

ਅਵਲਿ ਅਉਲਿ ਦੀਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਠਾ ਮਸਕਲ ਮਾਨਾ ਮਾਲੁ ਮੁਸਾਵੈ ॥ ਹੋਇ ਮੁਸਲਿਮੁ ਦੀਨ ਮੁਹਾਣੈ ਮਰਣ ਜੀਵਣ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਵੈ ॥
ਰਬ ਕੀ ਰਜਾਇ ਮੰਨੇ ਸਿਰ ਉਪਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਮੰਨੇ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਉ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ਮਿਹਰੰਮਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥੧॥

musalamaan kehaavan musakal jaa hoe thaa musalamaan kehaavai.

aval aoul dheen kar mit(h)aa masakal maanaa maal musaavai. hoe musalim dheen muhaanai maran jeevan kaa bharam chukaavai.
rab kee rajaae ma(n)nae sir oupar karathaa ma(n)nae aap gavaavai. tho naanak sarab jeeaa mihara(n)math hoe th musalamaan kehaavai (1)

It is difficult to be called a Muslim; if one is truly a Muslim, then he may be called one.
First, let him savor the religion of the Prophet as sweet; then, let his pride of his possessions be scraped away.
Becoming a true Muslim, a disciple of the faith of Mohammed, let him put aside the delusion of death and life.
As he submits to God's Will, and surrenders to the Creator, he is rid of selfishness and conceit.
And when, O Nanak, he is merciful to all beings, only then shall he be called a Muslim. (1)

Allah is hidden in every heart

ਰੋਜਾ ਧਰੈ ਮਨਾਵੈ ਅਲਹੁ ਸੁਆਦਤਿ ਜੀਅ ਸੰਘਾਰੈ ॥ ਆਪਾ ਦੇਖਿ ਅਵਰ ਨਹੀ ਦੇਖੈ ਕਾਹੇ ਕਉ ਝਖ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥

ਕਾਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਏਕੁ ਤੋਹੀ ਮਹਿ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੋਚਿ ਬਿਚਾਰਿ ਨ ਦੇਖੈ ॥ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਕਰਹਿ ਦੀਨ ਕੇ ਬਉਰੇ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਜਨਮੁ ਅਲੇਖੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਸਾਚੁ ਕਤੇਬ ਬਖਾਨੈ ਅਲਹੁ ਨਾਰਿ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਪਢੇ ਗੁਨੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਛੁ ਬਉਰੇ ਜਉ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥
ਅਲਹੁ ਗੈਬੁ ਸਗਲ ਘਟ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਲੇਹੁ ਬਿਚਾਰੀ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਦੁਹੂੰ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੈ ਕਹੈ ਕਬੀਰ ਪੁਕਾਰੀ ॥੩॥੭॥੨੯॥

rojaa dhharai manaavai alahu suaadhath jeea sa(n)ghaarai. aapaa dhaekh avar nehee dhaekhai kaahae ko jhakh maarai (1)

kaajee saahib eaek thohee mehi thaeraa soch bichaar n dhaekhai. khabar n karehi dheen kae bourae thaa thae janam alaekhai (1)(rehaao)
saach kathaeb bakhaanai alahu naar purakh nehee koee. padtae gunae naahee kashh bourae jo dhil mehi khabar n hoee. (2)
alahu gaib sagal ghatt bheethar hiradhai laehu bichaaree. hi(n)dhoo thurak dhuhoo(n) mehi eaekai kehai kabeer pukaaree. (3)(7)(29)

You keep your fasts to please Allah, while you murder other beings for pleasure.
You look after your own interests, and so not see the interests of others. What good is your word? (1)

O Qazi, the One Lord is within you, but you do not behold Him by thought or contemplation.
You do not care for others, you are a religious fanatic, and your life is of no account at all. (1)(Pause)
Your holy scriptures say that Allah is True, and that he is neither male nor female.
But you gain nothing by reading and studying, O mad-man, if you do not gain the understanding in your heart. (2)
Allah is hidden in every heart; reflect upon this in your mind.
The One Lord is within both Hindu and Muslim; Kabeer proclaims this out loud. (3)(7)(29)

Sikhs hold no bias

A Sikh does not show preference to any religion; he is a believer of humanism and spiritualism and a "citizen of Waheguru" - a inter-religious wonderland; “Sovereign person of the Wondrous God” (Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa). So a Sikh should not have any ill feelings with persons of other religions.

In reverence, a Sikh bows his head, as Sikhs have been doing for more than 400 years, before the Guru Granth Sahib, which has in addition to the collected Bani (hymns) of the Sikh Gurus, includes the hymns of both Muslim and Hindu Sants of various varnas. The Sikh is the convinced follower of the teachings of all these saints equally, and reveres all of the text as Gurbani, and can never be attracted by one religion representation or hatred for another. This is the reason Sikhs should not become a party to any communal arguments or riots.

It should be noted that despite the atrocities committed by the Mughal leadership in the name of their religion, the Sikh Gurus never criticised their religion, rather they blamed their evil directly. In the following verses of the Zafarnama, Guru Gobind Singh addresses the evil practices of Aurangzeb directly, he never attacks his religion:

Aurangzeb! I did not know that you are a perjurer; that you are mere worshipper of wealth and breaker of your faith.
You neither follow the teachings of Islam nor you understand its meaning. You do not know the ways of the Lord nor do you have any faith in the Prophet Mohammed.
Any believer of his faith, will not look here and there (while fulfilling) his own promises.
This man (Aurangzeb) who swears by the Koran as well as by One God, cannot be trusted even equivalent of a speck of sand.
(So now) if you swear hundred times on the Koran, I do not have trust in you even equivalent to a drop of water.
Zafarnama verse 46-49

So beware! Don't just jump in and criticise the religion of the tyrant without thinking. Is the person actually following the faith that he professes to belong to. In all cases, one will find that the tyrant will not have understood their own faith and they will not be truly following their own faith correctly.

See also

Khanda.jpg  Message of Guru Granth Sahib   Khanda.jpg
Retrieved from "https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Guru_Granth_Sahib%27s_guidance_for_Muslims&oldid=109950"