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

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==Sikhs hold no bias==
==Sikhs hold no bias==


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.  
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.  


The Sikh is bowing his head since more than 400 years, before 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.  
In reverence, a Sikh bows his head and Sikhs has been going this for more than 400 years, before the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. In their holy Granth are the representatives of saints of [[Muslim]]s, the untouchables and [[Hindu]]s from different communities. The Sikh is the convinced follower of the teachings of all these saints equally, and reveres all 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.


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 Guru Granth Sahib.
It should be noted that despite the atrocities committed by the [[Mughal]] leadership in the name of their religion, the Gurus never criticised their religion but blamed their evil directly. [[Guru Gobind Singh]] in the [[Zafarnama]] addresses [[Aurangzeb]] directly:


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.  
{{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 have faith in your religion nor you understand its meaning. You even do not understand the Almighty; you do not have firm faith in Him.<br>Anyone who believes in his religion, does not look here and there (while fulfilling) his own promises. <br>his man (Aurangzeb)cannot be trusted equivalent to even a speck; who swears by the Koran and says that God is one. <br>(So now) if you swear hundred times on the Koran, I do not have any trust in you even equivalent of a drop of water.|Zafarnama verse 46-49}}


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.
So beware! Don't just jump in and criticise the religion of the tyrant without thinking. Is the person actually following the faith that the profess 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.
 
In December 1705 [[Wazir Khan]], Governor of [[Sirhind]], 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.  
 
On the other hand Nawab Sher Mohmmad Khan of Maler Kotla, 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 Chamkaur 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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]].
 
Guru Granth Sahib has played a significant role to unite Hindus and Muslims for co-existence. Right from the days of 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 [[Sufi]]s, so-called untouchable and Hindu Bhagats for 135 years, to include in a single source of guidance to the entire mankind.
 
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, [[Guru Nanak]] 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, [[Guru Tegh Bahadar]] (1621-1675).
 
The fifth Guru, [[Guru Arjan]] himself compiled it in 5 years from 1599 to 1604. Later 10th Guru, [[Guru Gobind Singh]] has added the compositions of the 9th Guru, [[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, [[Guru Angad]] 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 [[Hindu]]s 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 [[Sheikh Farid|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, [[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 “[[sewa|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 [[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.
 
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


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 21:30, 28 January 2009

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' dimension from their inception. The Sikh scriptures are unique among the religious "Holy Books" of the world in that they don't just offer spiritual guidance for the Sikhs alone but impart guidance and assistance for all the peoples and religions of the world.

Many have recognised the Siri Guru Granth as a supreme treasure for all of mankind. It is accepted by most as the true and permanent spiritual guide of the Sikhs; but it has not yet been generally recognised as a true 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) preceded Guru Nanak by some 200 years, Babaji's verses are included in 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-nimaz (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; however, Guru Arjan dev who complied the holy Granth included it as he wants us all to learn from this verse. If we forget the Lord and do not remember Him daily with our prayers, what use is this human incarnation?

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 people. In this case that verse is aimed at Muslims to live in accordance with the basic tenants of the Quran in its true letter and spirit.

Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Granth Sahib includes many major works composed by Hindu and Muslim saints; 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 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 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". Anyone who approaches the Guru in this setting will receive the light of spiritual guidance from the holy Granth. People of all religions, castes and creeds, men and women are invited to enter a Gurdwara to receive this 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 ਸਚ੝ ਹਲਾਲ ਦ੝ਇ ਤੀਜਾ ਖੈਰ ਖ੝ਦਾਇ ॥ ਚਉਥੀ ਨੀਅਤਿ ਰਾਸਿ ਮਨ੝ ਪੰਜਵੀ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਸਨਾਇ ॥
ਕਰਣੀ ਕਲਮਾ ਆਖਿ ਕੈ ਤਾ ਮ੝ਸਲਮਾਣ੝ ਸਦਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੇਤੇ ਕੂੜਿਆਰ ਕੂੜੈ ਕੂੜੀ ਪਾਇ ॥੩॥

Panj nivĝjĝ vakẖaṯ panj panjĝ panje nĝ▫o.

Pahilĝ sacẖ halĝl ḝu▫e ṯījĝ kẖair kẖuḝĝ▫e. Cẖa▫uthī nī▫aṯ rĝs man panjvī sifaṯ sanĝ▫e.
Karṇī kalmĝ ĝkẖ kai ṯĝ musalmĝṇ saḝĝ▫e. Nĝnak jeṯe kūṛi▫ĝr kūrhai kūṛī pĝ▫e. (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

ਮ੝ਸਲਮਾਣ੝ ਕਹਾਵਣ੝ ਮ੝ਸਕਲ੝ ਜਾ ਹੋਇ ਤਾ ਮ੝ਸਲਮਾਣ੝ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥
ਅਵਲਿ ਅਉਲਿ ਦੀਨ੝ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਠਾ ਮਸਕਲ ਮਾਨਾ ਮਾਲ੝ ਮ੝ਸਾਵੈ ॥ ਹੋਇ ਮ੝ਸਲਿਮ੝ ਦੀਨ ਮ੝ਹਾਣੈ ਮਰਣ ਜੀਵਣ ਕਾ ਭਰਮ੝ ਚ੝ਕਾਵੈ ॥
ਰਬ ਕੀ ਰਜਾਇ ਮੰਨੇ ਸਿਰ ਉਪਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਮੰਨੇ ਆਪ੝ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥ ਤਉ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ਮਿਹਰੰਮਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਮ੝ਸਲਮਾਣ੝ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥੧॥
Musalmĝṇ kahĝvaṇ muskal jĝ ho▫e ṯĝ musalmĝṇ kahĝvai.
Aval a▫ul ḝīn kar miṯẖĝ maskal mĝnĝ mĝl musĝvai. Ho▫e muslim ḝīn muhĝṇai maraṇ jīvaṇ kĝ bẖaram cẖukẖĝvai.
Rab kī rajĝ▫e manne sir upar karṯĝ manne ĝp gavĝvai. Ŧa▫o Nĝnak sarab jī▫ĝ mihramaṯ ho▫e ṯa musalmĝṇ kahĝvai. (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 ਅਲਹ੝ ਸ੝ਆਦਤਿ ਜੀਅ ਸੰਘਾਰੈ ॥ ਆਪਾ ਦੇਖਿ ਅਵਰ ਨਹੀ ਦੇਖੈ ਕਾਹੇ ਕਉ ਝਖ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥

ਕਾਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ੝ ਝਕ੝ ਤੋਹੀ ਮਹਿ ਤੇਰਾ ਸੋਚਿ ਬਿਚਾਰਿ ਨ ਦੇਖੈ ॥ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਕਰਹਿ ਦੀਨ ਕੇ ਬਉਰੇ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਜਨਮ੝ ਅਲੇਖੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਸਾਚ੝ ਕਤੇਬ ਬਖਾਨੈ ਅਲਹ੝ ਨਾਰਿ ਪ੝ਰਖ੝ ਨਹੀ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਪਢੇ ਗ੝ਨੇ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਛ੝ ਬਉਰੇ ਜਉ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਖਬਰਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੨॥
ਅਲਹ੝ ਗੈਬ੝ ਸਗਲ ਘਟ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਲੇਹ੝ ਬਿਚਾਰੀ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤ੝ਰਕ ਦ੝ਹੂੰ ਮਹਿ ਝਕੈ ਕਹੈ ਕਬੀਰ ਪ੝ਕਾਰੀ ॥੩॥੭॥੨੯॥

Rojĝ ḝẖarai manĝvai alhu su▫ĝḝaṯ jī▫a sangẖĝrai. Āpĝ ḝekẖ avar nahī ḝekẖai kĝhe ka▫o jẖakẖ mĝrai. (1)

Kĝjī sĝhib ek ṯohī mėh ṯerĝ socẖ bicẖĝr na ḝekẖai. Kẖabar na karahi ḝīn ke ba▫ure ṯĝ ṯe janam alekẖai. (1)rahĝ▫o.
Sĝcẖ kaṯeb bakẖĝnai alhu nĝr purakẖ nahī ko▫ī. Padẖe gune nĝhī kacẖẖ ba▫ure ja▫o ḝil mėh kẖabar na ho▫ī. (2)
Alhu gaib sagal gẖat bẖīṯar hirḝai leho bicẖĝrī. Hinḝū ṯurak duhū▫aʼn mėh ekai kahai Kabīr pukĝrī. (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 and Sikhs has been going this for more than 400 years, before the Guru Granth Sahib. In their holy Granth are the representatives of saints of Muslims, the untouchables and Hindus from different communities. The Sikh is the convinced follower of the teachings of all these saints equally, and reveres all 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 Gurus never criticised their religion but blamed their evil directly. Guru Gobind Singh in the Zafarnama addresses Aurangzeb directly:

Aurangzeb! I did not know that you are a perjurer; that you are mere worshipper of wealth and breaker of your faith.
You neither have faith in your religion nor you understand its meaning. You even do not understand the Almighty; you do not have firm faith in Him.
Anyone who believes in his religion, does not look here and there (while fulfilling) his own promises.
his man (Aurangzeb)cannot be trusted equivalent to even a speck; who swears by the Koran and says that God is one.
(So now) if you swear hundred times on the Koran, I do not have any trust in you even equivalent of 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 the profess 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


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