Guru Nanak - A spiritual bridge between Hinduism and Islam

 

The founder of Sikhism, Gurnank Sahib was born to a Hindu brahmin family, but he never accepted the Hindu religion per-say, from the very beginning. He did not like the rituals in Hinduism and did not wear the sacred thread that (some) Hindus should normally wear.

Guru Nanak Sahib was born at on 15^th April 1469 at Nankana Sahid, Punjab, Pakistan. But some have the date placed as born on the first full moon day of Karthik Masa and this is celebrated globally, mostly occurring in November.

His fundamental teachings were that all people are equal; that there is no room for casetism; everyone had a direct access to God - men and women equally.  He also stated he said that there was need for priests or rituals and that there is only one God for all.  He propagated this philosophy all over the region, especially at a time when the was a disharmony between Hindus and Muslims.  He thus embraced both the religions in a spiritual manner.

Hinduism and Sikhism are both dharmic religions while Islam is an Abrahamic religion founded in the Arabian Peninsula and much older. Sikhism shares a common spiritual bond with Islam which has a monotheistic outlook and a cultural bond with Hinduism and Buddhism- with more of an Indian social identity. As a new born religion, Sikhism had a new communal meeting ground between all of them.

Guru Nanak wrote down the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ text in which are 974 poetic prayers’ and hymns dedicated Sikhism. There have been additions to the text by other gurus who came after Guru Nanak.  All the future 9 gurus who came after Guru Nanak had the same religions belief, divinity and religious authority descended to all subsequent gurus. He set up a spiritual, social and political platform based on equality, divine love and goodness to all. Today this original version of the Guru Granth can be found at Nanded, Maharashtra state.

To make his prayers more easily readable, he wrote them down in the Gurmukhi script, there by  simplifying the Devanagari script. It became accessible to more people. It is the script of the Holy Adi Granth. The word ‘Naam’ as a teaching to the Sikhism by Guru Nanak, has a very special contribution to the mankind and the ultimate faith in Sikhism. By using this word in relationship with God he would personalize his vision and hence a sure way to redemption.  He dispelled hatred and was truly and embodiment of love.

The foundation to the golden temple at Amritsar was laid by a prominent Muslim and hence gave a way to the future confluence of universal mankind. Guru Nanak’s “He who regards all men as equals is religious”, it summarizes his world philosophy for the world of equality in religion without any discrimination to human beings.

Guru Nanak’s resting place, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartapur Pakistan.