Teachings About Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by Guru Nanak

Although Sikhism was preached outside as well, yet Punjab was made specifically the centre of this religion. It is the reason that “Jat” ¹ Primarily of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh faiths, they now live mostly in the Indian states of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Sindh.] nation accepted this religion on a huge scale. This nation subsequently helped in many wars for the protection of the faith. The Sixth Guru “Guru Hargobind” (1595-1644) neglected the way of his predecessor’s Saint. He adopted the imperial way of life and started keeping two swords. He not only ordered Sikhs to keep weapons, but also encouraged them to be warriors and that is how Sikhs develop a talent of soldiers. Due to his alliance with the foes of the Mughal Empire, he had wars with the Mughal kings and became a captive for twelve years. Later on, he was set free.

After Guru Hargobind, the tenth Guru “Guru Hargobanf Singh” holds more significance in the history of Sikhism. It was Guru Hargobind who got Sikhs strong on politics and cleared their image as a separate religion. He made a valuable addition to the chapter of Sikhism’s laws and regulation of Sikhism. Hence we can say that the Sikhism we see today was laid by him.

Guru Nanak and the initial Gurus did not give Sikhism a distinct identity nor a separate compilation of religious laws and ordinances that differ from the other religions. It was the reason that both Hindus and Muslims were related to Sikhism in the beginning. However, gradually Sikhism got close to Hinduism and far from Islam. Due to the actions of different gurus, Sikhism became a strong separate religion. After the laws, death and wedding rituals were determined, and Sikhism got a separate individuality. Even the tenth guru, formed a body called “Khalsa” after specifically testing. ² and the final temporal Guru/leader of the Sikhs. The word Khalsa translates to "Sovereign/Free". Another interpretation is that of being "Pure/Genuine." UK: Kashi House The Khalsa was inaugurated on 30 March 1699, by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. From then, on the temporal leadership of the Sikhs was passed on to the Khalsa with the bestowed title of "Guru Panth" and spiritual leadership was passed on to the Guru Granth Sahib with the Khalsa being responsible for all executive, military and civil authority in the Sikh society. The Khalsa is also called the nation of the Sikhs. Life of Guru Gobind Singh] After forming Khalsa, he gave the Sikhs a spiritual union and gave them a separate identity by determining specific style and traditions. To use “Singh” meaning lion after the name of Sikhs was also ordered by him.

Rules and Regulations

The current laws of Sikhism include Tauheed, Tanasukh, and Karma. Same words for Allah are found in their holy books which are used by Muslims and Hindus; though Sikhs usually use the word “Wahe Guru” to call Almighty. Guru Hargobind made five things mandatory for every Sikh; 1: Hair (Kaeis), 2. Comb, 3. Bracelet to wear in hand (Kara), 4. Under Garments (Kachha) and 5. Dagger (Kirpan)

It is true that Baba Guru Nanak was born in a Hindu family, but his whole life was spent in opposing Hindu’s customs, culture, traditions, and civilisation. His father himself arranged a Muslim teacher Syed Hassan ³] for his education. Syed Hassan is also known as “Qutubuddin” or “Rukunuddin.” Syed Hassan saw intelligence in his student and gave every sort of knowledge to him about Islam. Moreover, that is why Guru Nanak has been conversant with Islamic laws since his childhood. He used to read the poetry of Sufi saints and translated them into the Punjabi language. ⁴

Baba Nanak Sayings

Baba Nanak says:

پاک پڑھیوس کلمہ ہکس دا محمد نال زملائے
ہویا معشوق خدائے دا ہویا تل علائے
مہنہ (منہ)تے کلمہ آکھ کے دوئی دروغ کمائے
آگے محمد مصطفیٰ سکے نہ تنہا چھیڑا ئے⁵

Thematic Idea Of The Poetry

Recite the Kalma of that one whose name is Muhammad ﷺ ,
Who is the beloved of Allah,
Have (his) Kalma in your mouth (on your tongue) to remove the falsehood of separation (between the personality of the prophet and God),
In future Muhammad ﷺ the chosen, will not leave you alone.

نام لیو جس اکھردا
اس نوں کریو چوگنا
دو ہور ملا کے پنج گنا
کاٹو بیس کٹا
باقی بچے سو نو گن کر
دو ہور ملا
نانکاہر اس اکھر وچوں
نام محمد آیا⁶

Thematic Idea Of The Poetry

Think of a name, count the number of the alphabets,
Then multiply them by 4,
Then add 2, then multiply it by 5,
Then divide it by 20
Whatever is left multiply it by 9?
And then add 2 to the total
Which will always result in 92?
And the number of the name “Muhammad” is also 92.

Wahid Bakhsh Siyaal Chishti Wrote:

“At first, Baba Guru Nanak was on the job of an accountant for zakat collection at the office of Nawab Dolat Khan. At the age of 30, he left his occupation and his home to start his journey. He travelled through India, Srilanka, Iran and Arabia and for forty years visited the holy places. He stayed for a period with Bo Ali Qalandar Pani Pati. He visited the shrine of Bahaodin Zakariya, Ghouse Azam Syed Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani and Murad’s shrines. His place of meditation is still there outside the city located south-west adjacent to a graveyard in a boundary wall. He meditated for 40 days at the shrine of Khwaja Moin Uddin Chishti’s shrine. At the place called sarsa, he stayed for 40 days at the shrine of Shah Abdul Shakoor. This place is known as “Chilla Baba Nanak.” He visited the shrine of Sheikh Fareed Uddin Ganj Shakr at Pak Patan. He was greatly influenced by the knowledge of Ibrahim Fareed Chishti who was the 12th generation of Baba Fareed Ganj e Shakar. The collection of the statements of Baba Guru Nanak called “Garnath Sahab” which is full of poetic verses of Ibrahim Fareed Chishti. Some scholars believe that these are also the verses of Baba Fareed Uddin due to the title “Fareed” in the verses. “Ho” has consistently been the recitation of Baba Guru Nanak. A time came when he went into the state of trance and could not pray or fast or have the sense for grooming. By seeing this, followers of him also considered prayers and fast unnecessary. Moreover, since then a new religious group among Hindus emerged as Sikhism.” ⁷

Conclusion

In short Baba Guru Nanak was well aware of the Islamic way of Namaz, Fast, Zakat, Hajj, and Kalma. He had a deep understanding of the unity of Allah and the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad . Thus, we find resemblances in his teachings with Islam, and he praised to Muhammad as well. In actual terms, he was inspired by the teachings of Muslim saints, i.e. Oneness of Allah and profound love of Prophet Muhammad . Therefore, those who attach themselves with Baba Guru Nanak should forsake polytheism and come towards a genuine faith of Muhammad .

• ¹  The Jat people (also spelled Jatt and Jaat) are a traditionally agricultural community in Northern India and Pakistan. Originally pastoralists in the lower Indus river-valley of Sindh, Jats migrated north into the Punjab region, Delhi, Rajputana, and the western Gangetic Plain in late medieval times. [Wink, André (2004), Indo-Islamic society: 14th – 15th centuries, BRILL, Pg. 92–93, Retrieved: 7-12-2016
• ²  The Khalsa is the collective body of all initiated Sikhs represented by the five belovedones and can be called the Guru Panth, the embodiment of the Guru [Singh, Teja (2006), A Short History of the Sikhs: Volume One, Patiala: Punjabi University, Pg. 107.
• ³  Mani Singh Janam Sakhi, Pg. 335, and Meharban Janam Sakhi, Pg. 15 refer to Muslim Teacher but did not mention the name of the teacher. However, Ghulam Hussain Khan, the author of Tawarikh-i-Sikhan, refers to a Muslim teacher of Guru Nanak named Syed Hassan, but it is not mentioned in the early Janam Sakhis. Tawarikh Guru Khalsa also refers to a Muslim teacher at Pg. 43. [Dalbir Singh Dillon, Sikhism, Origin & Development, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, Delhi, India, Pg. 158.
• ⁴  Professor G. N Amjad (1982), Guru Nanak Ji Aur Tareekhe Sikhmat, Lahore, Pakistan, Pg. 8-13.
• ⁵  Professor G. N Amjad (1982), Guru Nanak Ji Aur Tareekhe Sikhmat, Lahore, Pakistan, Pg. 59.
• ⁶  Professor G. N Amjad (1982), Guru Nanak Ji Aur Tareekhe Sikhmat, Lahore, Pakistan, Pg. 41.
• ⁷  Maulana Al-Haaj Wahid Bakhsh Siyaal Sabri, Roohaniyat.e.Islam, in reference with: Daily Ausaaf, Islamabad, Pakistan, dated: 13-04-2001