Sir,

Guru Nanak was highly conscious of the tenets of Islam and Philosophy of Prophet Mohammad. He saw in Islamic teaching what other Hindu could not see for themselves.

A careful compassion between the Holy Quran and Sacred Granth can reveal adequately that the basic truths presented in both are the same. Both Islam and Sikhism arose almost under similar circumstances which were surcharged by aggression coupled with perversion and painful sufferings. The basic philosophy of both the Creeds could conveniently be summed up in two words “Unity” and “Fraternity” (Akhuwat),

According to Guru Nanak’s biographies he was 27 years old had heavenly vision in Sultanpur on the bank of the Bain (now called as kali bain) near Kapurthala, before he received the call to preach his message of truth and love; just like prophet Mohammad who received a similar divine message of his noble assignment at the Mount of Hira.

The Sikhs believe that God sent the Guru to comfort the world and that it was by his grace that the Gumus instruction had been promulgated like the dialogues of Moses and the wahi (celestial message through the vision of angel Gabriel) to prophet Mohammad Guru ‘Nanak too was give a few laws to propagate throughout the world his law were (1) Nam the law of love and devotion to one graceful true God. For Nanak Nam was the fountain head of all inspiration and Simran (meditation) was banisher of all woe and misery.

Dan the law of charity and ‘goodness to humanity. There is an interesting anecdote about the GuTu himself giving away his whole commodity to the poor counting Tera Tera (LE thirteen meaning also yours Own, yours own ) the anecdote plays well with the parable given in Quran about the reward of charity. The parable of those who spend their property is that of corn it growth seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains (Quran 2262265 All Baqarah) Isnan the law of purity of personal character,

Guru Nanaks formula of Nam Dan and Isnan or seva (service of humanity) and safai stricken resembles ImanOSalat and Saum O Salat the pillars of Islam, and same. in essence are so strongly advocated by Nanakism also. Guru Nanaks Nam and Dan perfectly coincide with Islams Zikr and Zakat. These were mainly constant feeling and fear of God, so that he may not misbehave with fellow beings.

It is interesting to find the common and basic underlying fundamentals of worship prayer and pilgrimage in both Islam and Sikhism. Both strictly believe in the cardinal point of unity . Unity of being, unity of worship, unity of traits unity with the creator and his creation (I complete self surrender) etc. Guru Nanak advocated worship of only Ek Onkar prophet Mohammad said Jyyaka na budu was lyyaic nastatteen I thee alone we worship thee alone shall we worship thee alone shall we ask for help.

Both Islam and Sikhism gave prominence to the efficacy of prayer almost in the same tone and tune Guru Nanak says. Soiled when hands feet and other parts of body are, their dirt is removed by Tinsing them with water.

When clothes do become polluted their stains are washed clean if soap be applied to them. But when the mind is defiled by the commission of many a sin it can be cleaned by the remembrance of God name. According to a hadith Abu Horaira is said to have heard prophet Mohammad say that five prayers a day are like effectively washing the dirt by bathing five times a day in a river.

In the Quran “Glorifying God morning and evening, in heaven and on earth, in afternoon or at tide time, So does Guru Nanak say: “remember Sat Jyam in early morning hours: remember him before day break: remember him day and night.”

In both the religions there is a striking similarly in the mode of saying congregational prayer. The ablution preceding prayer the revetential attitude in standing, the bowing down, the kneeling with forehead placed on the ground and reverent sitting posture all are similar.” Guru Nanak fixed no rigid qualification of face direction while in prayers though the Muslims say their Namaz facing towards the west (kaba) Still it is worth while to note that according to Quranic injunctions there was no difference between the west or the east. The Quran clearly says, “the east and’ the west are Gods. He guide the whom he will into right path.” (Quran 2136al Bagarah).

Regarding fasting too, Sikhism advises alap ahar to check indulgence and curb passions, Just as

Islams enjoins upon Ramadan fasts for the same purpose. The basic concept is the same. Both take it as means to right thinking right action and achievement of truth. Prophet Mohammed said jazaum bema Kanu Ya maumice. “requital or reward are just return for whatsoever thou doest. Similarly, Guru Nank said manda, changaapna ape hi kita Pawnaic. one reaps the fruit according to the good or bad as he does.

Both religions can therefore be called a religions of faith and action, and both are very simple and free from the intricacies of mantra havana Jog yanga and varuna etc. Guru Nanak start with AK Onkar LE. ion the name of one God. And an Allah by prophet Mohammed.

Both Guru Nanak and Prophet Mohammed described God as light, love and truth. That Sikh Gurus often describe God as Karim Ratim, Razak. Parvardigar etc and choose the Muslim terminology.

The Guru rejected the theory of incarnation, so did the prophet. The Muslims and Sikhs believe that God had no wife or family and hence no particular son as such.

Prophet Mohammad and Guru Nanak were essentially preachers than theologian. Prophet Mohammed is said to an illiterate person. yet the Quran revealed to him can be called as one of the finest pieces of literature. Nanak too did not get any standard schooling. Yet his works are nothing less that a miracle.

In Islam the guide to be after Mohammad was to be the holy Quran. In Sikhism the guide to be after tenth Nanak was to be holy Guru Granth.

There is yet another striking similarly between Islam and Sikhism. There are no sacraments which demand a consecrated priest. Any Muslim or Sikh could perform and preside at any their respective religions acts.

Guru Nanak had identified himself so much with the spirit of Islam that he was not only tolerated by the Muslims for calling Allah and Ishwar as the same but was even acclaimed by them as a wali or shah (i.e. an Exalted darresh) and was interestingly claimed for burial as a Muslim Pir when he died.

Keeping in view the above case study I have a question to my Sikh brother, that if Sikh religion is so close to Islam, why you are far away from your Muslim brothers? Why you are close to Hindus?

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 28, 1989