Guru Nanak & Shamsis
Article by (Lucky 17:55, 15 July 2009 (UTC)).....under construction
Guru Nanak sahib met Shamsis in Multan in 1530 and had discourse with them and urged them into coming on to the right track. Guru sahib had discourse with Bahawal Haq, Rukn din and other people. His message was to become followers of God rather than worshipping graves and against anal-haq.
Who were Shamsis?
Shamsis are followers of Shamas Tabrez. Shamas Tabrez was a Sufi faqir; his real name was Makhdoom Shah Shamas-Ud-Din. He was born on 17th rajab 560th hijri in Shabzawar (in Ghazini). He preached his religious philosophy and went to Multan the center of orthodox Muslims. His slogan of anal-haq(I am God) was not liked by them. They declared him a rebel and complained to higher authorities. He was given death punishment. Shamas accepted the punishment with smile and he was killed mercilessly by the removal of his skin.
In Multan a mausoleum was made in his remembrance by his followers who were known as shamsis. Shamas was a follower of God (Khuda - parasat), but Shamsis were becoming worshippers of graves as the time passed.
What's Anal - Haq
Sufi faqirs shouting in ecstasy 'Anal-Haq, Anal-Haq' (I am God/I am the Truth). Mansur Al-Hallaj was a famous Sufi of the 10th Century. He was executed in 922 AD for having stated: "Anal Haq" which means "I am the Truth". He was condemned to hang by the neck for shouting in ecstasy 'Anal-Haq, Anal-Haq' (I am the Truth, I am the Truth). The orthodoxy understood this to mean that he was claiming to be God himself, whereas he had proclaimed in his sublime spiritual ecstasy, simply a total annihilation of himself. What he meant was that he mattered not; all that mattered was He (God)
Philosophy of Sikhism is opposite to anal-haq, it says "kabeer maeraa mujh mehi kishh nehee jo kishh hai so thaeraa" "Kabeer, nothing is mine within myself. Whatever there is, is Yours, O Lord." (SGGS p1375). It's a message of "toon toon" "You, you".
What's Kabar Prasat
Shamsis became "follower of grave" (worshipper of graves). They started keeping Rozas (fasts) which was opposite to Sikhi philosophy and philosophy of Shamas Tabrez too. Sikhism says "Jin jio pind dita tis chiteh nahi. Mari masani mure jog nahi (9)" which means "You do not remember Him, who has blessed you with soul and body. Visiting graveyards and cremation grounds does not provide union with God." (SGGS p1190)
Guru Nanak's discourse with Shamsis
In 1530 (according to Prof Sahib Singh), Guru Nanak went there and sat in a garden around Shamas maqbara's (mausoleum). Guru Nanak Sahib who visited the whole world was known by many pirs, as he met many during his journeys. When pirs (Sufi priests) came to know this, they went and met the Guru. They want to test guru sahib and want to show that their philosphy is better and pure.
They took a container full of milk with them and kept before guru ji said that their path is pure; as white as the milk without any blot. Guru Nanak plucked a jasmine flower from the garden and placed it on the milk and replied that one must have an open mind and live above maya (world illusion) like the jasmine flower was floating over the milk. The Guru taught them not to worship graves. The Guru also taught them that once the holy water of River Gangesmerges into the ocean, it's no longer called Ganges any more and so no one should not say "I am God" even if he or she has reached an enlightened state.
Bhai Gurdas in his vaars said(Pauri 44.5 to 44.8:
- ਮੇਲਿਓਂ ਬਾਬਾ ਉਠਿਆ ਮਲਤਾਨੇ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਿਆਰਤ ਜਾਈ॥
- ਅਗੋਂ ਪੀਰ ਮਲਤਾਨ ਦੇ ਦਧ ਕਟੋਰਾ ਭਰ ਲੈ ਆਈ॥
- ਬਾਬੇ ਕਢ ਕਰ ਬਗਲ ਤੇ ਚੰਬੇਲੀ ਦੱਧ ਵਿਚ ਮਿਲਾਈ॥
- ਜਿਉਂ ਸਾਗਰ ਵਿਚ ਗੰਗ ਸਮਾਈ ॥44॥
Leaving the fair at Achal Vatala Baba went on a 'pilgrimage' to Multan. At Multan the Pirs came forward holding a bowl of milk full to the brim. Baba took out a jasmine flower from his bag and put it on the surface of the milk indicating that he would spread fragrance. Bhai Gurdas likened it to the river Ganga (Ganges) merging into the ocean.
Discourse with Bahawal haq and rukn - ud - din
There in crowd was two faqirs which are mentioned in historical accounts that were possibly descendants of Sheikh Bahawal Haq(1170-1267) and Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din(1251-1335) who were famous Sufi Saints of Multan. Generally, decendents and gaddi nasheen are called with names of their great ancestors, so guru nanak sahib have discourse with decendents of great sufi faqirs who were known as Bahawal Haq and Rukn-ud-Din.
Bahawal Haq and Rukan Din asked many questions; Bahawal said, "We call maya false and without maya we can't survive". Guru sahib replied "like maya is false so survival is also false."
Pirs wanted Guru sahib to preach and advise them. Guru ji said, "Love everyone; don't go with woman married to another man. Any matter which generates friction with the saints, close it immediately. Don't keep company with evil minded persons. Do selfless service for the saints. Practice recitation of the Shabad."
The Pirs were enlightened and for the remembrance of the Guru's visit, they took foot prints of the Guru feet on paper. It is said that this paper was at Multan until the partition of 1947.
References
- Bhai Bala Janamsakhi
- Bhai Gurdass Vaar
- History of Guru Nanak: Prof Sahib Singh
