Explaining Islam in Gurbani - by Bijla Singh

It is a common misconception among Muslims that Gurbani (the message of Satguru) advocates Islam and its practices. To support their conjecture, they present some quotes from Gurbani. Such proposition is only due to mistranslation and misunderstanding of the real context. In this article, we will look at some of the common Shabads from Gurbani that are misused by the Muslims and present as accurate translation as possible to alleviate the doubts raised in the minds of naïve and uninformed people.

When Guru Sahib started preaching Gurmat, there were two major religions in the country, Hinduism and Islam. Guru Sahib rejected both and revealed a new path and preached it in a language commonly understood by the masses. To make it easier for the people to understand the divine message, Guru Sahib used many of the commonly known words in His preaching. For example, He used words like Allah, Khudah, Raam, Gobind, Kareem, Khalak, Vasudev, Hari etc. to relate to one almighty God. Use of such words in no way is advocating Hinduism or Islam. Guru Sahib preached that there is only one God who has many different names and can be remembered by different people with different names. Here is just one example in which Guru Sahib used words from both religions to convey His message:

ਕਾਰਨ ਕਰਨ ਕਰੀਮ ॥ ਸਰਬ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲ ਰਹੀਮ ॥ ਅਲਹ ਅਲਖ ਅਪਾਰ ॥ ਖੁਦਿ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਵਡ ਬੇਸੁਮਾਰ ॥੧॥ ਓਂ ਨਮੋ ਭਗਵੰਤ ਗੁਸਾਈ ॥ ਖਾਲਕੁ ਰਵਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਰਬ ਠਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਜਗੰਨਾਥ ਜਗਜੀਵਨ ਮਾਧੋ ॥ ਭਉ ਭੰਜਨ ਰਿਦ ਮਾਹਿ ਅਰਾਧੋ ॥ ਰਿਖੀਕੇਸ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਗੋ̮ਵਿੰਦ ॥ ਪੂਰਨ ਸਰਬਤ੍ਰ ਮੁਕੰਦ ॥੨॥ ਮਿਹਰਵਾਨ ਮਉਲਾ ਤੂਹੀ ਏਕ ॥ ਪੀਰ ਪੈਕਾਂਬਰ ਸੇਖ ॥ ਦਿਲਾ ਕਾ ਮਾਲਕੁ ਕਰੇ ਹਾਕੁ ॥ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਕਤੇਬ ਤੇ ਪਾਕੁ ॥੩॥ ਨਾਰਾਇਣ ਨਰਹਰ ਦਇਆਲ ॥ ਰਮਤ ਰਾਮ ਘਟ ਘਟ ਆਧਾਰ ॥ ਬਾਸੁਦੇਵ ਬਸਤ ਸਭ ਠਾਇ ॥ ਲੀਲਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਲਖੀ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥੪॥ ਮਿਹਰ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਨੈਹਾਰ ॥ ਭਗਤਿ ਬੰਦਗੀ ਦੇਹਿ ਸਿਰਜਣਹਾਰ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਖੋਏ ਭਰਮ ॥ ਏਕੋ ਅਲਹੁ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ॥੫॥੩੪॥੪੫॥

kaaran karan kareem ||sarab prathipaal reheem || aleh alakh apaar || khudh khudhaae vadd baesumaar ||1|| ou(n) namo bhagava(n)th gusaaee || khaalak rav rehiaa sarab t(h)aaee ||1|| rehaao || jaga(n)naathh jagajeevan maadhho || bho bha(n)jan ridh maahi araadhho || rikheekaes gopaal guovi(n)dh || pooran sarabathr muka(n)dh ||2|| miharavaan moulaa thoohee eaek || peer paikaa(n)bar saekh || dhilaa kaa maalak karae haak || kuraan kathaeb thae paak ||3|| naaraaein narehar dhaeiaal || ramath raam ghatt ghatt aadhhaar || baasudhaev basath sabh t(h)aae || leelaa kishh lakhee n jaae ||4|| mihar dhaeiaa kar karanaihaar || bhagath ba(n)dhagee dhaehi sirajanehaar || kahu naanak gur khoeae bharam ||eaeko alahu paarabreham ||5||34||45||

He is the Doer, the Cause of causes, the bountiful Lord. The merciful Lord cherishes all. The Lord is unseen and infinite. God is great and endless. ||1|| I humbly pray to invoke the Universal Lord God, the Lord of the World. The Creator Lord is all-pervading, everywhere. ||1||Pause|| He is the Lord of the Universe, the Life of the World. Within your heart, worship and adore the Destroyer of fear. The Master Rishi of the senses, Lord of the World, Lord of the Universe. He is perfect, ever-present everywhere, the Liberator. ||2|| You are the One and only merciful Master, spiritual teacher, prophet, religious teacher. Master of hearts, Dispenser of justice, more sacred than the Koran and the Bible. ||3|| The Lord is powerful and merciful. The all-pervading Lord is the support of each and every heart. The luminous Lord dwells everywhere. His play cannot be known. ||4|| Be kind and compassionate to me, O Creator Lord. Bless me with devotion and meditation, O Lord Creator. Says Nanak, the Guru has rid me of doubt. The Muslim God Allah and the Hindu God Paarbrahm are one and the same. ||5||34||45|| (Ang 896)

Notice that words from both religions are used collectively. This way Guru Sahib made it clear that God of the west (Islam) and east (Hinduism) are not two different Gods but He is the same. There is only one God who creates, sustains and destroys the creation. He loves everyone without hatred, gives salvation and is beyond death and birth. Hence, it is clear that words from Islam and Hinduism were utilized as tools to explain the revealed message of Gurmat. With this in mind, let’s look at the some Shabads addressing Islam.

Shabad 1

ਅਵਲਿ ਅਉਲਿ ਦੀਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਠਾ ਮਸਕਲ ਮਾਨਾ ਮਾਲੁ ਮੁਸਾਵੈ ॥

First, let him savor the religion of the Prophet as sweet; then, let his pride of his possessions be scraped away. (Ang 141)

The above quote, popular among Muslims, is most commonly used to assert that Gurbani tells Muslims to be true to their faith, Islam. This, in fact, is far from the truth. Word ‘Muslim’ is used for the meaning of “One who surrenders completely to God”. It does not refer to Muslims who believe in Islam. Here is the entire Shabad with correct translation.

ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਕਹਾਵਣੁ ਮੁਸਕਲੁ ਜਾ ਹੋਇ ਤਾ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥

musalamaan kehaavan musakal jaa hoe thaa musalamaan kehaavai ||

It is difficult to be called a Muslim; if one can become a true Muslim (by surrendering completely to the Will of Waheguru), only then he may be called one.

ਅਵਲਿ ਅਉਲਿ ਦੀਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਿਠਾ ਮਸਕਲ ਮਾਨਾ ਮਾਲੁ ਮੁਸਾਵੈ ॥

aval aoul dheen kar mit(h)aa masakal maanaa maal musaavai ||

First requirement to become a true Muslim is to love the Dharama (religion) i.e. truth. Then cleanse the mind by sharing the wealth with poor and needy. This way false pride of possessions of worldly wealth goes away.

 

In this line words "Prophet" or "Mohammad" do not appear. Word “dheen” does not refer to Islam anywhere in Gurbani. It has been used for different meanings but in this context it refers to religion (faith) or truth. The same word has been used at other places in Gurbani. Here are some examples:

ਸੂਰਾ ਸੋ ਪਹਿਚਾਨੀਐ ਜੁ ਲਰੈ ਦੀਨ ਕੇ ਹੇਤ ॥

sooraa so pehichaaneeai j larai dheen kae haeth ||

He alone is known as a spiritual hero, who fights in defense of religion. (Ang 1105)

ਕਬੀਰ ਦੀਨੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਦੁਨੀ ਸਿਉ ਦੁਨੀ ਨ ਚਾਲੀ ਸਾਥਿ ॥

kabeer dheen gavaaeiaa dhunee sio dhunee n chaalee saathh ||

Kabeer, the mortal loses his faith, for the sake of the world, but the world shall not go along with him in the end. (Ang 1365)

ਦੀਨੁ ਬਿਸਾਰਿਓ ਰੇ ਦਿਵਾਨੇ ਦੀਨੁ ਬਿਸਾਰਿਓ ਰੇ ॥

dheen bisaariou rae dhivaanae dheen bisaariou rae ||

You have forgotten the true religion (way of life), O madman; you have forgotten the true religion (way of life). (Ang 1105)

Once again, word “dheen” is not used in Gurbani to refer to Islam. Continuing with the Shabad:

ਹੋਇ ਮੁਸਲਿਮੁ ਦੀਨ ਮੁਹਾਣੈ ਮਰਣ ਜੀਵਣ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਚੁਕਾਵੈ ॥

hoe musalim dheen muhaanai maran jeevan kaa bharam chukaavai ||

Become a true Muslim by following the guidance of truth only. Only then one can be free from the delusion of life and death.

ਰਬ ਕੀ ਰਜਾਇ ਮੰਨੇ ਸਿਰ ਉਪਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਮੰਨੇ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥

rab kee rajaae ma(n)nae sir oupar karathaa ma(n)nae aap gavaavai ||

Submit yourself to God's Will, and recognize that He is the doer of everything. By doing this, selfishness and conceit will go away.

ਤਉ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ਮਿਹਰੰਮਤਿ ਹੋਇ ਤ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥1॥

tho naanak sarab jeeaa mihara(n)math hoe th musalamaan kehaavai ||1||

And finally when, O Nanak, one is merciful to all beings and loves everyone equally, only then he shall be called a Muslim. ||1||

Thus it is clear that the word "Muslim" is defined very differently by Guru Sahib and not the same way in Quran. Words like "Prophet" or "Mohammad" do not exist in the entire Shabad. Word “dheen” means truth. Being merciful to everyone (this rejects halal, jaziya etc), submitting to the Will of God and sharing the wealth (Vand Chakna) etc. is not part of Islam but Gurmat. Sikhs practice this lifestyle everyday. In Gurbani the message is for everyone. There are no selected passages for Hindu and Muslims. Although the Shabad addresses Muslims but the message preached is far from than that of Islam. The divine message applies to everyone equally.

 

Shabad 2

 

Now, we take a look at the following line which is used out of context not just by Muslims and Hindus but also some naive Sikhs.

ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਜੋ ਨ ਬਿਚਾਰੈ ॥

baedh kathaeb kehahu math jhoot(h)ae jhoot(h)aa jo n bichaarai ||

Do not say that the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran are false. Those who do not contemplate them are false. (Ang 1350)

It is only due to lack of true knowledge about Gurbani that many fail to understand the true meaning behind this line. It is believed by some that the Shabad explains the event that happened in Kanshi where Kabir Ji lived. Hindus and Muslims were debating on religion, talking ill of each other and condemning the religious books of each other. They came to Kabir Ji. To calm them Kabir Ji gave this sublime counsel"Thinking under the influence of anger, do not call Vedas and Quran false. Try to understand the reality in a peaceful way and then say what you want to."

First of all, the debate may have taken place and Hindus and Muslims may have been calling each other false in anger or blindly but coming to Bhagat Ji for a decision does not seem likely because he was considered an outcaste. He was a low caste and it is illogical to believe Brahmins coming to him for a decision since he did not even have the right to read, listen and touch the Vedas. He had also rejected Quran, hajj, five prayers, fasting and many of the Islamic practices in his own lifetime, which will be highlighted later, so Muslims expecting a decision in favor of Islam from Kabir Ji is foolish on their part. Let’s break the pankti (line) in two parts and discuss each half separately so the readers can understand the meanings better.

ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ

baedh kathaeb kehahu math jhoot(h)ae

In interpreting the above pankti (line) words ਕਹਹੁ ਮਤ are mistranslated as “do not say” which is false. Gurbani is written according to a set of grammar rules. Word ਕਹਹੁ is plural and a verb in third person which gives instruction to do something. It is similar to words ਜਪਹੁ (meditate) and ਸੁਣਹੁ (listen). In this case, the word ਕਹਹੁ means to call or declare. Word ਮਤ has multiple meanings but in this context it means religions for two reasons. First, if it meant “do not” then the order of words would’ve been reversed and would’ve appeared as ਮਤ ਕਹਹੁ because wherever word ਮਤ means “do not” it appears before the verb. Second, it would go against the principles of Gurmat and contradict not only Gurbani but Bhagat Kabir Ji’s own beliefs. Therefore, the correct meanings are:

ਕਹਹੁ – call

ਮਤ ਝੂਠੇ – religions false

Guru Gobind Singh Ji has used the same word to convey the same message.

ਰਾਮ ਰਹੀਮ ਪੁਰਾਨ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਅਨੇਕ ਕਹੈਂ ਮਤ ਏਕ ਨ ਮਾਨਯੋ ॥

Rama, Mohammad, eighteen Puranas (Books of the Hindu faith), and Quran say a lot about their own religions but I do not follow any one of them.

Also notice that the word ਮਤ appears at the end. If it meant “do not” it would’ve appeared before the word ਕਹੈਂ and the meanings would’ve been “do not say”.

Correct interpretation word by word thus becomes:

ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ – Vedas and Semitic scriptures

ਕਹਹੁ – call or declare them

ਮਤ – religions

ਝੂਠੇ – false

ਬੇਦਾਂ ਕਤੇਬਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੰਨੇ ਹੋਏ ਰਸਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਹੋ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਝੂਠੇ ਹਨ

Call the religions preached by Vedas and Semitic scriptures false

Last half pankti (line) is also misinterpreted because it cannot mean “Those who do not contemplate them are false” since it is in singular form. Here is word to word translation:

ਝੂਠਾ - false is he

ਜੋ ਨ - who doesn't

ਬਿਚਾਰੈ - contemplate the truth

Meaning – ਅਤੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਹੀ ਉਹ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਸੱਚ ਦੀ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ ।

And false is the person who follows any of these religions and does not contemplate the truth.

Bhai Randhir Singh Ji in his book “Gurmat Gauravta” gives the following interpretation of this line:

ਵੇਦ ਕਤੇਬੀ ਮੱਤ ਹਿੰਦੁਆਂ ਤੇ ਤੁਰਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੰਨੇ ਹੋਏ ਇਹ ਸਭ ਝੂਠੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਮੱਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਚਾਰਨਹਾਰੇ ਭੀ ਝੂਠੇ ਹਨ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਉਹ ਸੱਚੀ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਵਿਚਾਰਦੇ.....

Religions of Vedas and Semitic scriptures are false and their followers are false as well because they do not contemplate the truth. As long as a person does not realize the truth of Gurmat he is false.

Now the question arises: what is the truth? Truth that one should contemplate on is given in the following lines. Discussing the entire Shabad line by line would make things much clearer and leave no doubt that the Shabad rejects both religions, Hinduism and Islam.

ਜਉ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਕਹਤ ਹਉ ਤਉ ਕਿਉ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਮਾਰੈ ॥੧॥

Addressing the Muslims, Bhagat Ji says: You say that the One Lord is in all and His light shines within everyone then why do you kill a chicken (animal?

ਮੁਲਾਂ ਕਹਹੁ ਨਿਆਉ ਖੁਦਾਈ ॥

O Mullah – tell me if this is justice? You tell others how just Khudah (God) is:

ਤੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਕਾ ਭਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

But the doubts of your mind have not been dispelled and you still wander in darkness of ignorance.

Bhagat Ji is questioning Muslims that if they believe in all pervading God then why do they kill His creation (animals) mercilessly since God’s light is also within animals. How is this just to kill God’s creation in His name? Why would God want a human to kill His creation in His name?

ਪਕਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਆਨਿਆ ਦੇਹ ਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਮਾਟੀ ਕਉ ਬਿਸਮਿਲਿ ਕੀਆ ॥

You seize a living creature, bring it home and kill its body. You read “Bismillah” and kill the animal in Allah’s name.

ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪ ਅਨਾਹਤ ਲਾਗੀ ਕਹੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਕਿਆ ਕੀਆ ॥੨॥

The light of God that never dies and is pure is everywhere and in the killed animal also. So tell me, what becomes halal by killing it?

ਕਿਆ ਉਜੂ ਪਾਕੁ ਕੀਆ ਮੁਹੁ ਧੋਇਆ ਕਿਆ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਸਿਰੁ ਲਾਇਆ ॥

What good is to wash your face and bow your head in the mosque and what good are your purifications?

ਜਉ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਕਪਟੁ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਇਆ ॥੩॥

What good are your prayers or your pilgrimage to Mecca? Your heart is full of hypocrisy.

Bhagat Ji calls Muslims hypocrites because on one hand they call themselves religious by washing their faces, going to mosque and hajj and on the other hand they kill animals, which is an act of a butcher. In other words, a merciless person cannot be a true religious person.

ਤੂੰ ਨਾਪਾਕੁ ਪਾਕੁ ਨਹੀ ਸੂਝਿਆ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਮਰਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥

You are impure; you do not understand the Pure Lord. You do not know realize the truth.

ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਭਿਸਤਿ ਤੇ ਚੂਕਾ ਦੋਜਕ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੪॥੪॥

Says Kabeer, you have missed out on paradise (merciful living); your mind is set on hell (satanic acts such as killing).

In brief, Bhagat Ji says that God is not pleased by physical purifications, going to mosque and hajj and killing animals. It is clear that Bhagat Ji rejects Islam and its hypocritical practices. To further prove that Bhagat Ji rejected Islam we give some quotes specifically from his own Bani and few from rest of Gurbani. 

ਵਰਤ ਨ ਰਹਉ ਨ ਮਹ ਰਮਦਾਨਾ ॥…ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਉ ਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਪੂਜਾ ॥…ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਉ ਨ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰਉ ॥…ਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ॥ ਅਲਹ ਰਾਮ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਰਾਨ ॥੪॥

I do not keep fasts, nor do I observe the month of Ramadaan…I do not make pilgrimages to Mecca, nor do I worship at Hindu sacred shrines….I do not perform Hindu worship services, nor do I offer the Muslim prayers….I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim. My body and breath of life belong to Allah - to Raam - the God of both. (Ang 1136)

ਸਕਤਿ ਸਨੇਹੁ ਕਰਿ ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਕਰੀਐ ਮੈ ਨ ਬਦਉਗਾ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਜਉ ਰੇ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਮੋਹਿ ਤੁਰਕੁ ਕਰੈਗਾ ਆਪਨ ਹੀ ਕਟਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੨॥ ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਕੀਏ ਤੁਰਕੁ ਜੇ ਹੋਇਗਾ ਅਉਰਤ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੀਐ ॥ ਅਰਧ ਸਰੀਰੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਨ ਛੋਡੈ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਹੀ ਰਹੀਐ ॥੩॥ ਛਾਡਿ ਕਤੇਬ ਰਾਮੁ ਭਜੁ ਬਉਰੇ ਜੁਲਮ ਕਰਤ ਹੈ ਭਾਰੀ ॥ ਕਬੀਰੈ ਪਕਰੀ ਟੇਕ ਰਾਮ ਕੀ ਤੁਰਕ ਰਹੇ ਪਚਿਹਾਰੀ ॥੪॥੮॥

Because of the love of woman, circumcision is done; I don't believe in it, O Siblings of Destiny. If God wished me to be a Muslim, it would be cut off by itself. ||2|| If circumcision makes one a Muslim, then what about a woman? She is the other half of a man's body, and she does not leave him, so he remains a Hindu. ||3|| Give up your holy books (Quran and Hadiths), and remember the Lord, you fool, and stop oppressing others so badly. Kabeer has grasped hold of the Lord's Support, and the Muslims have have been lost in hypocrisy. ||4||8|| (Ang 477)

ਬੇਦ ਕਤੇਬ ਇਫਤਰਾ ਭਾਈ ਦਿਲ ਕਾ ਫਿਕਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥

The Vedas and the Scriptures are only make-believe, O Siblings of Destiny; they do not relieve the anxiety of the heart. (Ang 727)

ਹਮਰਾ ਝਗਰਾ ਰਹਾ ਨ ਕੋਊ ॥ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਛਾਡੇ ਦੋਊ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

I have no quarrel with anyone. I have abandoned both the Pandits, the Hindu religious scholars, and the Mullahs, the Muslim priests. ||1||Pause|| (Ang 1158)

ਪੰਡਿਤ ਮੁਲਾਂ ਜੋ ਲਿਖਿ ਦੀਆ ॥ ਛਾਡਿ ਚਲੇ ਹਮ ਕਛੂ ਨ ਲੀਆ ॥੩॥

Whatever the Pandits and Mullahs have written, I reject; I do not accept any of it. ||3|| (Ang 1159)

ਅਲਹੁ ਏਕੁ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਬਸਤੁ ਹੈ ਅਵਰੁ ਮੁਲਖੁ ਕਿਸੁ ਕੇਰਾ ॥ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਾਮ ਨਿਵਾਸੀ ਦੁਹ ਮਹਿ ਤਤੁ ਨ ਹੇਰਾ ॥੧॥

If the Lord Allah lives only in the mosque, then to whom does the rest of the world belong? According to the Hindus, the Lord's Name abides in the idol, but there is no truth in either of these claims. ||1|| (Ang 1349)

ਬ੍ਰਹਮਨ ਗਿਆਸ ਕਰਹਿ ਚਉਬੀਸਾ ਕਾਜੀ ਮਹ ਰਮਜਾਨਾ ॥ ਗਿਆਰਹ ਮਾਸ ਪਾਸ ਕੈ ਰਾਖੇ ਏਕੈ ਮਾਹਿ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥੩॥ ਕਹਾ ਉਡੀਸੇ ਮਜਨੁ ਕੀਆ ਕਿਆ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਸਿਰੁ ਨਾਂਏਂ ॥ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਕਪਟੁ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰੈ ਕਿਆ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੈ ਜਾਂਏਂ ॥੪॥

The Brahmins observe twenty-four fasts during the year, and the Muslims fast during the month of Ramadaan. The Muslims set aside eleven months, and claim that the treasure is only in the one month. ||3|| What is the use of bathing at Orissa? Why do the Muslims bow their heads in the mosque? If someone has deception in his heart, what good is it for him to utter prayers? And what good is it for him to go on pilgrimage to Mecca? ||4|| (Ang 1349)

ਕਬੀਰ ਹਜ ਕਾਬੇ ਹਉ ਜਾਇ ਥਾ ਆਗੈ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥ ਸਾਂਈ ਮੁਝ ਸਿਉ ਲਰਿ ਪਰਿਆ ਤੁਝੈ ਕਿਨਿ੍ ਫੁਰਮਾਈ ਗਾਇ ॥੧੯੭॥

Kabeer, I was going on a pilgrimage to Mecca, and God met me on the way. He scolded me and asked, ""Who told you that I am only there?""||197|| (Ang 1375)

From the above quotes it is clear that Bhagat Kabir Ji never supported Hinduism or Islam. He rejected both outright. Now, we move on to some more Shabads discussing Islam.

 

Shabad 3

 

During the time of Mughal empire, Muslims being the rulers were extremely oppressive and tyrants. They would take away beautiful women of the Hindus and keep them in their harem. They would deprive their citizens of basic human rights and take away their properties. Seeing all of this, Guru Sahib revealed the following Shabad in which outright rejected the belief that by going to mosque, having a prayer mat and circumcision, reading Quran, doing five prayers, eating halal meat, going to Kaaba etc. one cannot become a religious person because Muslims who were doing such practices were extremely tyrants to the people while they thought they were performing a religious duty. Guru Sahib says that one cannot become a true religious person unless he/she starts living honest and true way of life as instructed by the true Guru (Satguru).

ਮਿਹਰ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਸਿਦਕੁ ਮੁਸਲਾ ਹਕੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਕੁਰਾਣੁ ॥

mihar maseeth sidhak musalaa hak halaal kuraan ||

Guru Sahib says to the humanity: let mercy be your mosque, faith in Waheguru your prayer-mat, and earning an honest living your Koran.

ਸਰਮ ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਸੀਲੁ ਰੋਜਾ ਹੋਹੁ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ॥

saram su(n)nath seel rojaa hohu musalamaan ||

Turning away your face from five thieves (lust, anger, greed, worldly attachment and ego) is the real circumcision, and having a good conduct is the real fast. In this way, you shall become a true Muslim (servant of God).

ਕਰਣੀ ਕਾਬਾ ਸਚੁ ਪੀਰੁ ਕਲਮਾ ਕਰਮ ਨਿਵਾਜ ॥

karanee kaabaa sach peer kalamaa karam nivaaj ||

Have a high moral character as your Kaabaa, Truth (Guru – Light that dispels darkness of ignorance) as your spiritual guide, and the karma of good deeds your prayer and chant.

ਤਸਬੀ ਸਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵਸੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਰਖੈ ਲਾਜ ॥੧॥

thasabee saa this bhaavasee naanak rakhai laaj ||1||

Let your rosary be that which is pleasing to His Will. Says Nanak, God shall preserve the honor of such a Muslim. ||1|| (Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 141)

In the Shabad above, Islamic practices are used metaphorically to deliver the message. Guru Sahib emphasized strongly on having a moral character (not looking at other women with bad intentions), earning truthful living (not looting the public), speaking truth and doing good karmas. This Shabad is for everyone to follow and is not just for Muslims.

 

Shabad 4

 

The following is another Shabad in which five Muslim prayers are redefined according to Gurmat.

ਪੰਜਿ ਨਿਵਾਜਾ ਵਖਤ ਪੰਜਿ ਪੰਜਾ ਪੰਜੇ ਨਾਉ ॥

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

In Islam, there are five prayers with five names and are said five times a day.

ਪਹਿਲਾ ਸਚੁ ਹਲਾਲ ਦੁਇ ਤੀਜਾ ਖੈਰ ਖੁਦਾਇ ॥

pehilaa sach halaal dhue theejaa khair khudhaae ||

But these are the real five prayers (in Sikhi): Speaking truth is the first namaz, second the honest earning and third seeking welfare of the entire humanity.

ਚਉਥੀ ਨੀਅਤਿ ਰਾਸਿ ਮਨੁ ਪੰਜਵੀ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਸਨਾਇ ॥

chouthhee neeath raas man pa(n)javee sifath sanaae ||

The fourth is having a pure mind by giving up deceits and ill for others, and the fifth is the Lord's admiration and praise.

ਕਰਣੀ ਕਲਮਾ ਆਖਿ ਕੈ ਤਾ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਸਦਾਇ ॥

karanee kalamaa aakh kai thaa musalamaan sadhaae ||

In addition, having a moral character and truthful living is the Kalima. By saying these five namaz and reciting Kalima, one may call themselves a true Muslim (servant of God).

ਨਾਨਕ ਜੇਤੇ ਕੂੜਿਆਰ ਕੂੜੈ ਕੂੜੀ ਪਾਇ ॥੩॥

naanak jaethae koorriaar koorrai koorree paae ||3||

Those who spend their daily lifves without these prayers are false, remain in falsehood and what they obtain in the life is also false. In other words, they remain away from the actual truth. (Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 141)

It is clear from the Shabad above that Sikhi rejects five prayers of Muslims and conveys that merely saying five prayers five times a day is an empty ritual. Rather, a true devotee of Waheguru should say such prayers which become part of his daily life and should reflect his lifestyle. Such a lifestyle is based on living truthful life, seeking wellbeing of everyone and earning an honest living.

Although the Shabads that are commonly misunderstood have been discussed in details, Shabads regarding Islam are numerous. Therefore, we conclude this article with one last Shabad on Ang 1083, which reflects true path of Gurmat and rejects almost all of Islamic practices.

 

Shabad 5

 

ਸਚੁ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਯਕੀਨ ਮੁਸਲਾ ॥ ਮਨਸਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਨਿਵਾਰਿਹੁ ਆਸਾ ॥ ਦੇਹ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਉਲਾਣਾ ਕਲਮ ਖੁਦਾਈ ਪਾਕੁ ਖਰਾ ॥੨॥ ਸਰਾ ਸਰੀਅਤਿ ਲੇ ਕੰਮਾਵਹੁ ॥ ਤਰੀਕਤਿ ਤਰਕ ਖੋਜਿ ਟੋਲਾਵਹੁ ॥ ਮਾਰਫਤਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰਹੁ ਅਬਦਾਲਾ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਹਕੀਕਤਿ ਜਿਤੁ ਫਿਰਿ ਨ ਮਰਾ ॥੩॥ ਕੁਰਾਣੁ ਕਤੇਬ ਦਿਲ ਮਾਹਿ ਕਮਾਹੀ ॥ ਦਸ ਅਉਰਾਤ ਰਖਹੁ ਬਦ ਰਾਹੀ ॥ ਪੰਚ ਮਰਦ ਸਿਦਕਿ ਲੇ ਬਾਧਹੁ ਖੈਰਿ ਸਬੂਰੀ ਕਬੂਲ ਪਰਾ ॥੪॥

Let Truth and continuous remembrance of God be your prayer, and faith only in one God your prayer-mat. Subduing your mind’s desires should be your stick. Let your body be the real mosque, and your mind the priest. Let heart’s purity be Kalima for you. ||2|| Let your practice (Shariya) be to live the spiritual life. Let your spiritual cleansing be to renounce the worldly attachments. Let control of the mind be your spiritual wisdom, O holy man; meeting with God, you shall never die again. ||3|| Let remembrance of God be the teachings of the Quran and the Bible; restrain the ten sensory organs from straying into evil. Tie up the five demons (lust, greed, anger, worldly attachment and ego) with faith, charity and contentment. Then you shall be acceptable in the house of God as a true follower. ||4||

ਮਕਾ ਮਿਹਰ ਰੋਜਾ ਪੈ ਖਾਕਾ ॥ ਭਿਸਤੁ ਪੀਰ ਲਫਜ ਕਮਾਇ ਅੰਦਾਜਾ ॥ ਹੂਰ ਨੂਰ ਮੁਸਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇਆ ਬੰਦਗੀ ਅਲਹ ਆਲਾ ਹੁਜਰਾ ॥੫॥ ਸਚੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਸੋਈ ਕਾਜੀ ॥ ਜੋ ਦਿਲੁ ਸੋਧੈ ਸੋਈ ਹਾਜੀ ॥ ਸੋ ਮੁਲਾ ਮਲਊਨ ਨਿਵਾਰੈ ਸੋ ਦਰਵੇਸੁ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਧਰਾ ॥੬॥ ਸਭੇ ਵਖਤ ਸਭੇ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਲਾ ॥ ਖਾਲਕੁ ਯਾਦਿ ਦਿਲੈ ਮਹਿ ਮਉਲਾ ॥ ਤਸਬੀ ਯਾਦਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਦਸ ਮਰਦਨੁ ਸੁੰਨਤਿ ਸੀਲੁ ਬੰਧਾਨਿ ਬਰਾ ॥੭॥ ਦਿਲ ਮਹਿ ਜਾਨਹੁ ਸਭ ਫਿਲਹਾਲਾ ॥ ਖਿਲਖਾਨਾ ਬਿਰਾਦਰ ਹਮੂ ਜੰਜਾਲਾ ॥ ਮੀਰ ਮਲਕ ਉਮਰੇ ਫਾਨਾਇਆ ਏਕ ਮੁਕਾਮ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਦਰਾ ॥੮॥

Let compassion and mercy be the Mecca, and the dust of the feet of the holy (being humble) real fast. Following the teaching of the true Guru is the real paradise. Manifestation of God within is the true reward (not 72 virgins), and meditation on Allah is the secluded meditation chamber. ||5|| He alone is a Qazi, who practices the Truth. He alone is a Haji, a pilgrim to Mecca, who purifies his heart. He alone is a Mullah, who banishes evil; he alone is a saintly dervish, who takes the Support of the Lord's Praise. ||6|| Always, at every moment, remember God, the Creator within your heart. Let your meditation beads be the subjugation of the ten senses. Let good conduct and self-restraint be the circumcision. ||7|| You must know in your heart that everything is temporary. Family, household and siblings are all entanglements. Kings, rulers and nobles are mortal and transitory; only God's Gate is the permanent place. ||8||

 

ਅਵਲਿ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਦੂਜੀ ਸਾਬੂਰੀ ॥ ਤੀਜੈ ਹਲੇਮੀ ਚਉਥੈ ਖੈਰੀ ॥ ਪੰਜਵੈ ਪੰਜੇ ਇਕਤੁ ਮੁਕਾਮੈ ਏਹਿ ਪੰਜਿ ਵਖਤ ਤੇਰੇ ਅਪਰਪਰਾ ॥੯॥ ਸਗਲੀ ਜਾਨਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਮਉਦੀਫਾ ॥ ਬਦ ਅਮਲ ਛੋਡਿ ਕਰਹੁ ਹਥਿ ਕੂਜਾ ॥ ਖੁਦਾਇ ਏਕੁ ਬੁਝਿ ਦੇਵਹੁ ਬਾਂਗਾਂ ਬੁਰਗੂ ਬਰਖੁਰਦਾਰ ਖਰਾ ॥੧੦॥ ਹਕੁ ਹਲਾਲੁ ਬਖੋਰਹੁ ਖਾਣਾ ॥ ਦਿਲ ਦਰੀਆਉ ਧੋਵਹੁ ਮੈਲਾਣਾ ॥ ਪੀਰੁ ਪਛਾਣੈ ਭਿਸਤੀ ਸੋਈ ਅਜਰਾਈਲੁ ਨ ਦੋਜ ਠਰਾ ॥੧੧॥ ਕਾਇਆ ਕਿਰਦਾਰ ਅਉਰਤ ਯਕੀਨਾ ॥ ਰੰਗ ਤਮਾਸੇ ਮਾਣਿ ਹਕੀਨਾ ॥ ਨਾਪਾਕ ਪਾਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਦੂਰਿ ਹਦੀਸਾ ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਿਰਾ ॥੧੨॥

First, is the Lord's Praise; second, contentment; third, humility, and fourth, giving to charities. Fifth is to hold one's desires in restraint. These are the five most sublime daily prayers. ||9|| Let your daily worship be the knowledge that God is everywhere. Let renunciation of evil actions be the water-jug you carry. Let realization of the One Lord God be your call to prayer; be a good child of God by being obedient - let this be your trumpet. ||10|| Let what is earned righteously be your halal. Wash away pollution of your heart by treating everyone equally and giving up the perception of superiority. One who follows the teaching of the true Guru is saved and goes to the house of God. The Messenger of Death does not cast him into hell. ||11|| Let good deeds be your body, and faith your bride. Play and enjoy the Lord's love and delight. Purify yourself with good and moral conduct – this is the real Shariya, and let the Lord's Presence be your religious tradition. Let your total awareness be the turban on your head. Thus you shall be respected in the house of God. ||12||

ਮੁਸਲਮਾਣੁ ਮੋਮ ਦਿਲਿ ਹੋਵੈ ॥ ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਮਲੁ ਦਿਲ ਤੇ ਧੋਵੈ ॥ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਰੰਗ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨੇੜੈ ਜਿਉ ਕੁਸਮ ਪਾਟੁ ਘਿਉ ਪਾਕੁ ਹਰਾ ॥੧੩॥ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਮਿਹਰ ਮਿਹਰ ਮਿਹਰਵਾਨਾ ॥ ਸੋਈ ਮਰਦੁ ਮਰਦੁ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ ॥ ਸੋਈ ਸੇਖੁ ਮਸਾਇਕੁ ਹਾਜੀ ਸੋ ਬੰਦਾ ਜਿਸੁ ਨਜਰਿ ਨਰਾ ॥੧੪॥ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕਾਦਰ ਕਰਣ ਕਰੀਮਾ ॥ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਮੁਹਬਤਿ ਅਥਾਹ ਰਹੀਮਾ ॥ ਹਕੁ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਸਚੁ ਖੁਦਾਇਆ ਬੁਝਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਬੰਦਿ ਖਲਾਸ ਤਰਾ ॥੧੫॥੩॥੧੨॥
The true Muslim is he who is kind-hearted and washes away pollution from within the heart. He does not even approach worldly pleasures; he is pure, like flowers, silk, ghee and the deer-skin. ||13|| One who is blessed with the mercy and compassion of the Merciful Lord, is the manliest man among men. One who is blessed with God's Grace is a real Sheikh, a preacher, a Haji, and God's true follower. ||14|| Nana says; Realize the True Hukam of God, the Creator Lord, the Merciful Lord and obtain his love then you shall be released from bondage and carried across. ||15||3||12||

Conclusion

It is has been proven beyond the doubt that not a single word of Gurbani supports Islam or Hinduism. In fact, both are rejected in all of the Shabads that are misinterpreted by unlearned Muslims and Hindus. Gurmat’s unique message is universal and preaches to everyone to live true way of life by following the only true Guru (Guru Nanak Sahib), remembering God constantly, purifying heart, having pure conduct, being merciful and renouncing false practices such as fasting, circumcision, pilgrimage (hajj), eating meat etc. This is the only way to attain salvation. Gurbani only preaches One Universal God and one universal way to reach him which is through the Satguru. All other paths are condemned and rejected as false.