Sir,

“Sabat surat dastar sira” is a phrase which is being used extensively by some over-devout Sikh scholars in their writings and also in their kirtans kathas and speeches in Gurdwara’s these days. They quote this phrase to convey that the Gurus have emphasized the importance of complete body (sabat surat) i.e. with uncut beard and hair and a turban (dastar) on the head (sira) for the Sikhs.

It is a very unfortunate state of affairs that these over-devout Sikh scholars are conveying the very narrow and literal meaning of the above phrase and confusing the Sikhs. The above phrase is about one-sixth portion of stanza number 12 of the sabd given by Guru Arjan Sahib under the Rag Maru Mahla 5 in the Aad Guru Granth Sahib(AGGS) on pages 1083-1084. The complete sabd is as following:

The above sabd is composed of 15 stanzas. A critical analysis and interpretation of this sabd would reveal the following facts;

  1. The whole sabd is addressed to a Muslim and not to a Sikh by Guru Arjan Sahib. He (Guru Arjan Sahib) has explained to him (a Muslim) how to live as a good Muslim by giving comparative examples from the shra shriat (code of conduct of Islam) of his Prophet Muhammad.
  2. The interpretation of the 12th stanza which contains the above phrase is as following: “Make your body (by doing good deeds) a faithful wife. Enjoy the pleasure of the Truth (Allah the Almighty). Purifying the impure mind is your code of conduct (hadis). Keeping body completes (sabat surat) (i.e without circumcision) is an honor (dastar) bestowed on your head.”

Thus:

i) In the 12th stanza the “sabat surat” (complete body) has been referred to the uncircumcised body. Because in Islam the circumcision (mentioned as sunit (sunah) in stanza 7 of the above: sabd) is considered as an essential to be a good Muslim according to the shra shriat. Here the “sabat surat” means complete body without cutting off prepuce (foreskin) i.e. an uncircumcised body.

ii) The “dastar sira” in the 12th stanza has been referred to the honor (dastar) to be bestowed. on the head (sira) of that Muslim who would follow the instructions given in the above sabd by Guru Arjan Sahib. Here “daster” doesn’t mean an actual turban on the head of a Muslim or a Sikh but it has been used as an honor. Because the turban (dastar) itself in Islam and Sikhism and also in Hinduism is considered an honor to the wearer

Keeping in view the above interpretation it is therefore requested to the Sikh scholars to. Interpret the Gurbani in its entirety and its real perspective before quoting it in their writing’s and in their preaching’s.

Devinder Singh Chahal PhD

Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 14, 1992