Sikhism's Compatibility With Other Faiths

[ASKhalsa1]

Most religions do have some truth in them, the truth can be found everywhere. Some religions have too many rituals or extras that stop people from finding the actual path to Waheguru.

Does it matter if you say you are a Sikh? Labels don't matter. If I label myself as a Sikh, but don't even attempt to live the Guru's word, will I gain anything? Look at Bhai Gurdas Ji's vaars, he talks about Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Mecca, the Muslims asked Guru Ji if the Muslims or Hindus were better. Guru Ji told them the importance of good deeds, without them it didn't matter what they labled themselves as, they would both weep. Bhai Gurdas Ji expands on this, saying religion is like the colour of a safflower, it will fade away. What really matters is if you have done good deeds and contemplated upon Waheguru. All religions lead you to this path to some extenet, however, it can be harder to get this essential truth in some. Sometimes the rituals and other extras get in the way.

Also, what does salvation mean to you?

What does salvation mean to me? I suppose Sant Baba Waryam Singh Ji Ratwara Wale put it best in his telling of the Sakhi of Pir Buddhu Shah and Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Pir Ji asked the Guru, "how shall I become one with God?", to which Guru Sahib replied "as night merges with day". The implication being that night never merges with day, when one begins, the other ends. When all notion of 'I' ends, there is only God. The painting is rubbed blank, leaving only the canvas.

Jkvlondon Ji expressed this very same sentiment very concisely and neatly.

But I think your question misses the point of my argument. This isn't an issue of labels. I am not deriding those who call themselves Muslims or uplifting those who consider themselves Sikh. This matter is entirely one of doctrine and content. The fact of the matter is that many of the teachings of Islam stand in direct opposition to so much of what our Gurus taught us to believe in, for instance, the equality of all people, abhorrence of empty ritual, and opposition to forceful prozelytization. Yes, if a religion teaches good precepts, it can lead one to God, but I don't believe Islam does. Or for that matter, the Bible.

[Winner2015]

I think there is a lot of confusion here, all religions are equally covalid based on their time space variables. This is the sentiment behind all religions being equal. The sikh gurus did not make the religion totalitarian and so its followers should not also. The adage " last and final" does not exist in the literal translation of the "seal" in the Koran, in fact all it states is "and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah". Again this proves my point that it is the followers who made the religion of Islam totalitarian and gave the sense of finality. The second point to be made is about the different meaning of prophet and satguru, the two words have a fundamental difference in meaning, a prophet is gods representative whereas as a satguru is gods voice, again based on the time space variables this would indicate an evolution of religiosity. All religions allow for a space to be created for a new manifestation of gods presence, it might come as a shock but there may be a time where Sikhism also carves out a cause for new revelation. That time is far off.

[Questioner]

Many Hindus have extolled the vision of "many paths lead to the same goal". I don't know why Sikhs use it too, being a theology student I can aptly say I don't believe it.

[N30S1NGH]

Absolutely love the sakhi of Guru sahib giving such a beautiful updesh to Pir Buddhu Shah.

Gurbani redefines (where its required)/ reiterates muslim their own islam spiritual stages of development and gives updesh to muslims to rise their surti above from shariat, tariqat and into hakikat, marfat. This means- spiritual development stages already exist in islam as gurbani uses pre-existing frame work in islam - shariat, tariqat, hakikat and marfat to give updesh to muslims. These spiritual development stages were there before however were clouded/obscured by followers stuck in shariat or tariqat level turned into hadith style gospel truth... so gurbani raises followers bar by outright rejecting mindset of shariat followers / empty rituals, rituals turned into totally empty-dogma/useless so they can transcend into higher reality within islam.

Here is my favourite shabad of transcendence updesh:

Ang- 1083

saraa sareeath lae ka(n)maavahu ||

Let your practice be to live the spiritual life

thareekath tharak khoj ttolaavahu ||

Let your spiritual cleansing be to renounce the world and seek God.

maarafath man maarahu abadhaalaa milahu hakeekath jith fir n maraa ||3||

Let control of the mind be your spiritual wisdom, O holy man; meeting with God, you shall never die again. ||3

Gurbani message above resonates with general spiritual stage frame work applies to all and also Islamic HIGHER spiritual development frame work below :

http://hazrat-inayat-khan.org/php/views.php?h1=31&h2=14&h3=16

Vol. 9, The Unity of Religious Ideals Prophets and Religions

The Four Grades of Knowledge in Islam

In Islam there is no caste, as the Message was meant to be for uniting humanity in one brotherhood, and yet it was found necessary to train the individuals according to their evolution in life. A training was given in four classes, namely, Shariat, Tarikat, Haqiqat, and Marifat.

Since the world of Islam became busy in national and social affairs, the Shariat was held fast by the religious authorities and Tarikat only with a few pious ones, who sought the door of a Sufi, wanting an initiation in the inner light which was contained in the two remaining classes, Haqiqat and Marifat.

The two immediate disciples of the Prophet, Ali and Sadik, were initiated by the Prophet, and were the great Masters of the inner teachings of the knowledge of God. Besides, the Sufis who existing during the time of the Prophet were benefited by the presence of the Prophet and the inspiration they gained in Sufism, to which one soon reaches through the path of Shariat, Tariqat, Haqiqat, and Marifat.

Shariat means the law that it is necessary for the collectivity to observe, to harmonize with one's surroundings and with one's self within. Although the religious authorities of Islam have limited it to restrictions, yet a thousand places in the Qur'an and Hadith one can trace where the law of Shariat is meant to be subject to change to suit the time and place. The law of Shariat, unlike any other religious law, deals with all aspects of life, and it is therefore that the Prophet of Islam had to experience personally all aspects of life. The Prophet as an orphan, as a warrior, as a politician, as a merchant, as a shepherd, as a king, as a husband, as a father, as brother, as son and grandson, had to play different parts in the world's various aspects of life before he was prepared to give this divine law.

Tariqat is the understanding of law besides following it, that we must understand the cause of all things that we must do and must not do, instead of obeying the law without understanding. Those who are not evolved are supposed to have faith and to submit to the law. It is for those whose intelligence does not accept things that cannot answer their reason.

Haqiqat is to know the truth of our being and the inner law of Nature. This knowledge widens the heart of a person. When he has realized the truth of being, he has realized the One Being; he is different from nobody, distant from no one: he is one with all. That is the grade where religion ends and Sufism begins.

Marifat is the actual realization of God, the One Being, when there is no doubt anywhere.

When these four classes are accomplished, then the full play of Sufism comes. Sufi means Safi, pure--not only pure from differences and distinctions, but even pure from all that is learnt and known. That is the state of Allah, the pure and perfect One.

[N30S1NGH]

Here is gurbani beautiful transcedence message to our muslims brothers who are stuck in shariat since gurbani applies to all, this message also applies to sikhs as well who are in similar boat(frame of mind-state) to follow truth in their respective religion:

source: http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=Page&g=1&h=1&r=1&t=1&p=0&k=0&fb=0&Param=1083

ਮਾਰੂ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ मारू महला ५ ॥ Mārū mėhlā 5. Maaroo, Fifth Mehl:

ਅਲਹ ਅਗਮ ਖੁਦਾਈ ਬੰਦੇ ॥ अलह अगम खुदाई बंदे ॥ Alah agam kẖuḏā▫ī banḏe. O slave of the inaccessible Lord God Allah,

ਛੋਡਿ ਖਿਆਲ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਕੇ ਧੰਧੇ ॥ छोडि खिआल दुनीआ के धंधे ॥ Cẖẖod kẖi▫āl ḏunī▫ā ke ḏẖanḏẖe. forsake thoughts of worldly entanglements.

ਹੋਇ ਪੈ ਖਾਕ ਫਕੀਰ ਮੁਸਾਫਰੁ ਇਹੁ ਦਰਵੇਸੁ ਕਬੂਲੁ ਦਰਾ ॥੧॥ होइ पै खाक फकीर मुसाफरु इहु दरवेसु कबूलु दरा ॥१॥ Ho▫e pai kẖāk fakīr musāfar ih ḏarves kabūl ḏarā. ||1||

Become the dust of the feet of the humble fakeers, and consider yourself a traveler on this journey. O saintly dervish, you shall be approved in the Court of the Lord. ||1||

ਸਚੁ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਯਕੀਨ ਮੁਸਲਾ ॥ सचु निवाज यकीन मुसला ॥ Sacẖ nivāj yakīn muslā.

Let Truth be your prayer, and faith your prayer-mat.

ਮਨਸਾ ਮਾਰਿ ਨਿਵਾਰਿਹੁ ਆਸਾ ॥ मनसा मारि निवारिहु आसा ॥ Mansā mār nivārihu āsā.

Subdue your desires, and overcome your hopes.

ਦੇਹ ਮਸੀਤਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਉਲਾਣਾ ਕਲਮ ਖੁਦਾਈ ਪਾਕੁ ਖਰਾ ॥੨॥ देह मसीति मनु मउलाणा कलम खुदाई पाकु खरा ॥२॥ Ḏeh masīṯ man ma▫ulāṇā kalam kẖuḏā▫ī pāk kẖarā. ||2||

Let your body be the mosque, and your mind the priest. Let true purity be God's Word for you. ||2||

ਸਰਾ ਸਰੀਅਤਿ ਲੇ ਕੰਮਾਵਹੁ ॥ सरा सरीअति ले कमावहु ॥ Sarā sarī▫aṯ le kammāvahu.

Let your practice be to live the spiritual life.

ਤਰੀਕਤਿ ਤਰਕ ਖੋਜਿ ਟੋਲਾਵਹੁ ॥ तरीकति तरक खोजि टोलावहु ॥ Ŧarīkaṯ ṯarak kẖoj tolāvahu.

Let your spiritual cleansing be to renounce the world and seek God.

ਮਾਰਫਤਿ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਰਹੁ ਅਬਦਾਲਾ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਹਕੀਕਤਿ ਜਿਤੁ ਫਿਰਿ ਨ ਮਰਾ ॥੩॥ मारफति मनु मारहु अबदाला मिलहु हकीकति जितु फिरि न मरा ॥३॥ Mārfaṯ man mārahu abḏālā milhu hakīkaṯ jiṯ fir na marā. ||3||

Let control of the mind be your spiritual wisdom, O holy man; meeting with God, you shall never die again. ||3||

ਕੁਰਾਣੁ ਕਤੇਬ ਦਿਲ ਮਾਹਿ ਕਮਾਹੀ ॥ कुराणु कतेब दिल माहि कमाही ॥ Kurāṇ kaṯeb ḏil māhi kamāhī.

Practice within your heart the teachings of the Koran and the Bible;

ਦਸ ਅਉਰਾਤ ਰਖਹੁ ਬਦ ਰਾਹੀ ॥ दस अउरात रखहु बद राही ॥ Ḏas a▫urāṯ rakẖahu baḏ rāhī.

restrain the ten sensory organs from straying into evil.

ਪੰਚ ਮਰਦ ਸਿਦਕਿ ਲੇ ਬਾਧਹੁ ਖੈਰਿ ਸਬੂਰੀ ਕਬੂਲ ਪਰਾ ॥੪॥ पंच मरद सिदकि ले बाधहु खैरि सबूरी कबूल परा ॥४॥ Pancẖ maraḏ siḏak le bāḏẖhu kẖair sabūrī kabūl parā. ||4||

Tie up the five demons of desire with faith, charity and contentment, and you shall be acceptable. ||4||

ਮਕਾ ਮਿਹਰ ਰੋਜਾ ਪੈ ਖਾਕਾ ॥ मका मिहर रोजा पै खाका ॥ Makā mihar rojā pai kẖākā.

Let compassion be your Mecca, and the dust of the feet of the holy your fast.

ਭਿਸਤੁ ਪੀਰ ਲਫਜ ਕਮਾਇ ਅੰਦਾਜਾ ॥ भिसतु पीर लफज कमाइ अंदाजा ॥ Bẖisaṯ pīr lafaj kamā▫e anḏājā.

Let Paradise be your practice of the Prophet's Word.

ਹੂਰ ਨੂਰ ਮੁਸਕੁ ਖੁਦਾਇਆ ਬੰਦਗੀ ਅਲਹ ਆਲਾ ਹੁਜਰਾ ॥੫॥ हूर नूर मुसकु खुदाइआ बंदगी अलह आला हुजरा ॥५॥ Hūr nūr musak kẖuḏā▫i▫ā banḏagī alah ālā hujrā. ||5||

God is the beauty, the light and the fragrance. Meditation on Allah is the secluded meditation chamber. ||5||

[Guptsingh95]

[ASKhalsa1]

Atheist, hard-drinker, and chain smoker though he was, I bloody adore the Hitch. May he rest in peace.

[proactive]

This is the Hitch taking down an effeminate sounding Sufi Muslim. I bet he wished he hadn't asked the question!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sEcBzxoMB8

[N30S1NGH]

Thanks for sharing those videos but i think for me atleast, gurbani riterating islamic spiritual stages of development/pre-existing spiritual development framework in sufi Islam as updesh to misguided muslims around that time is good enough.

Ang- 1083

saraa sareeath lae ka(n)maavahu ||
Let your practice be to live the spiritual life

thareekath tharak khoj ttolaavahu ||
Let your spiritual cleansing be to renounce the world and seek God.

maarafath man maarahu abadhaalaa milahu hakeekath jith fir n maraa ||3||
Let control of the mind be your spiritual wisdom, O holy man; meeting with God, you shall never die again. ||3

[Ranjeet01]

Thanks for sharing those videos but i think for me atleast, gurbani riterating islamic spiritual stages of development/pre-existing spiritual development framework in sufi Islam as updesh to misguided muslims around that time is good enough.

Unfortunately the majority of muslims will not follow this. They follow the Quran and the Sunnah.

Unfortunately, this is not the spiritual stages of development that majority of muslims would follow.

Ang- 1083

saraa sareeath lae ka(n)maavahu ||

Let your practice be to live the spiritual life

thareekath tharak khoj ttolaavahu ||

Let your spiritual cleansing be to renounce the world and seek God.

maarafath man maarahu abadhaalaa milahu hakeekath jith fir n maraa ||3||

Let control of the mind be your spiritual wisdom, O holy man; meeting with God, you shall never die again. ||3

Thanks for sharing those videos but i think for me atleast, gurbani riterating islamic spiritual stages of development/pre-existing spiritual development framework in sufi Islam as updesh to misguided muslims around that time is good enough.

Unfortunately, this is not the spiritual stages of development that majority of muslims would follow.

Ang- 1083

saraa sareeath lae ka(n)maavahu ||

Let your practice be to live the spiritual life

thareekath tharak khoj ttolaavahu ||

Let your spiritual cleansing be to renounce the world and seek God.

maarafath man maarahu abadhaalaa milahu hakeekath jith fir n maraa ||3||

Let control of the mind be your spiritual wisdom, O holy man; meeting with God, you shall never die again. ||3