Christian Missionary Friend converting

[Guest Empathy]

On 10/4/2019 at 10:09 PM, puzzled said:

according to sharia law non muslims should pay tax for living in a muslim country  jizya       sikhs and hindus had to pay tax to the mughal darbar   

Oh dear, Puzzled! I won't go into the specifics of Sharia law but will assume you realise that your (and most people's) understanding falls way behind that of classical and contemporary jurists. What I will say is that among the political landscapes of Muslim countries today, the only 'Islamic' state that saw fit to impose jizya was that of ISIS. Nobody – Muslim, or otherwise – can expect there to be any fairness in any of the impositions those people sanctioned. You can call their imposition of jizya Islamic, I won't. 

In classical Islam, where the conditions for fair application of Sharia law existed, jizya was levied on non-Muslim males in exchange for that their families would be protected and receive the full benefits of the state. Muslim did not pay jizya. Instead, they (men and women) had to pay a higher rate of tax called zakat. These days, the make-up of society has changed and an introduction of jizya would be economic folly. 

It's too easy to grab hold of Islamic ideals that, on the face of it, seem discriminatory without looking into the history and present day relevance or application. The same can be said of some Sikh practices, but I won't be drawn into distractions. I'm sure anybody reading some of the threads on these forums would be appalled at some of the language (Paki/sullah etc), but would it be correct to assume that Sikhs are racist? I do hope not.

[puzzled]

On 10/4/2019 at 9:15 AM, Guest Sat_Kaur said:

I am confused. If Guru's were God, than the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji too is God? I am sorry, but how can the writtings of islamic people, like Bhagath Kabeer and Farid be God? Didn't Guru Gobind Sikgh Ji say ""Those who call me God, will fall into the deep pit of hell"?

Bhai Gurdas ji says in his vaarns describes Guru Nanak Dev Jis the Sargun and nirgun are one.  Guru Granth sahib ji is the word of Waheguru. Guru Gobind Singh ji says that if we desire meeting him then we should sit before Guru Granth sahib ji, if we desire to talk to him then we should read bani.       

ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪੂਰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਇਕ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ।

Paarabrahamu Pooran Brahamu Kalijugi Andari Iku Dikhaaiaa |

He preached in this darkage (kaliyug) that, saragun (Brahm) and nirgun (Parbrahm) are the same and identical.

ਵਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ : ਵਾਰ ੧ ਪਉੜੀ ੨੩ ਪੰ. ੩

[Guest guest]

I think that Guru Nanak Dev Ji is considered like God, but not the later Gurus.  

which is still confusing as we are not allowed to believe that God takes birth.

[GurjantGnostic]

On 10/14/2019 at 5:03 PM, Guest guest said:

I think that Guru Nanak Dev Ji is considered like God, but not the later Gurus.  

which is still confusing as we are not allowed to believe that God takes birth.

Hmm, interesting concepts.  Some call the entire line of Gurus Nanak. 

Guru Granth Sahib Ji says Akal Poorakh is both form and formless, birthed and not, and beyond all these concepts? Also is it not said when khel is over, the actors take off their masks and reveal there was only ever One actor? 

[GurjantGnostic]

[intrigued]

It's very complicated and not black and white I think. Guru Sahib is not the only person who is God, but rather they have merged with Waheguru becoming one and there is no difference. Guru Sahib reflects the Jot of Waheguru like the moon reflects the light of the Sun. I don't think Bhai Jagraj Singh said to worship Guru. What comes to mind when that's said is like idol worship and stuff and I don't think thats what he meant.