An uninformed individual will Certainly answer this question in the affirmative, Duncan Green lees writes in “The Gospel of Guru Granth Sahib’ thus: “Mirza GhuJam Ahmed, in his Sat Bachan (1911), is quoted as putting the extraordinary claim that the Granth Sahib is simply a sort of commentary on the Quran Sharif and that Nanak was simply a Moslem preaching Islam to convert the Hindus”. The claim by some of my Hindu friends to make Sikhism, a sect of Hinduism is no less extraordinary than the one made by Mirza Gulam Ahmed.
It is to be pointed out that above is the only recorded statement ever made by an individual asserting a claim of Islam over Sikhism. As ‘compared to others, the Moslems as a rule have been fairer and more liberal in their attitude toward Sikhism, Their religion teaches them not to usurp what does not rightfully belong to them. From the day of inception of Sikhism, they seem to have experienced no difficulty in accepting it as an independent and original faith. For the Holy Qur’an teaches them: “For every people there is Messenger” (10:48). Again, “We did raise among every, people a Messenger”, (16:37).
Being both prophetic religions, Islam and Sikhism share many common points, The chief cementing force that has held the two faiths together over a long period of five hundred years, is their uncompromising principle, which states: “None but one Gods to be object of human rights.”
‘Azim Khan, the governor of Jullundur, heard about the presence of the saintly Arjan in his area. He was also probably aware of the latter’s relationship of deep friendship with the famous Moslem saint of Lahore, Mian Mir. He paid a visit to Dulla and was deeply impressed to see the people of all faiths sharing meals from the kitchen? maintained by the Sikh Guru. The second thing that impressed him most was the fact that the region’s major communities, the Hindus and the Moslems, were both attending the Guru’s spiritual discourses, The Khan camped at Dulla for a few days and attended some of Sikh Guru’s discourses. He was wonderstruck to note that the latter’s catholic teachings appealed to people of all tastes. Though he felt satisfied with the Guru’s mission, yet he could not decide as to whether the new doctrine preached by him was akin more to Islam or to Hinduism? He was not quite sure as to whether the Sikh Guru was more the worshipper of God of the Moslems or that of the Hindus? One day he said to Guru Arjan: “Islam and Hinduism, as you know, are two different faiths, with two different forms of worship. Whom do you pay homage to, the Allah of the Moslems or the Braham? of the Hindus?
The Guru’s response to Azim Khan’s question is summarized in the following words:
“I worship Karim‘ who is the cause of the universe; I worship Rahim who is the nourisher of all beings; I worship Allah’, the High and the Infinite.”
“I adore Gusai’, the maker of human destiny, I adore Jagannath the destroyer of all fear.”
“My homage is to Maula’ from whomis the glory of all the Prophets. My homage is to Mukanda who abides in all hearts.”
“I am a worshipper of the ‘One, who is self-caused, without Beginning and without end, who creates all and pervades all, who is the Master of the universe and is the life of all life, which resides in human hearts and directs human faculties. My Exalted Lord is not tied to any particular scripture or creed. He is that peerless Person whose mysteries lie far beyond the human comprehension.
“My brother, Guru Nanak has rid me of all my doubts. Now I perceive the Allah of the Moslems and the Braham of the Hindus as one”.
The Governor felt pleased to hear Guru’s sweet words. Before leaving, he suggested that the Guru establish one of his missionary centres near the central city of Jullundur as well. The Sikh Guru readily agreed to his suggestion. Soon after, Azim Khan provided a large piece of lan Jullundur city, where the Sikh Guru laid the foundation of a new settlement in December 1594 A.D. This settlement, which soon developed into a fairly good-sized town, was named Kartar Pur (the abode of Lord Creator) by Guru Arjan. In due course of time, Kartar Pur became a great missionary center for the propagation of Sikhh faith in the Doab region — all through the generosity of the Moslem Governor.
FOOT NOTES:
- Dulla village is presently situated in Sultanpur Lodi Tehsil, Distr. Kapurthala, about five kilometres east of the railway station Lobian Khas.
- In these days itis a common thing for people of different faiths to sit together at one place. But in India of 16th century when the Hindu society was divided into four casts and scores of subcastes, it was rathera feat of the Sikh Gurus to revolt against the prevailing social system and to make people of different religions share their meals at the Gurdwaras maintained by them.
- A Hindu name for God.
- A Moslem name for God, meaning “the Beneficent”,
- A Moslem name for God, meaning “the Merciful”.
- Another Moslem name for God, meaning “the self-existent”.
- A Hindu name for God, meaning “the Lord of the Earth”,
8, Another Hindu name for God, literally “the Master of the world”. 9, A Moslem term of God, literally “the liberator”.
10, A Hindu term for God, meaning “the liberator of human souls”. 11, It is also said that the Sikh paid the price of the land to the State, and the Governor Azim Khan rendered all possible assistance in constructing and development of the new township. In the year 1599 A.D, the landed ‘area of 8946 gumaons, attached to the Sikh temple at Kartar Pur, was ‘exempted from revenue payment under the orders of Moghul emperor Akbar.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 23, 1987
