Concept of God in Sikhism - Dr Zakir Naik

Concept of God in Sikhism - Dr Zakir Naik

COG-5

Let’s try and understand the concept of God in Sikhism. Though Sikhism is not considered one of the major world religions but has a huge following, it is considered as an off shoot of Hinduism and it was founded by Guru Nanak in the late part of the 15th century, in the land of Pakistan and North Western India, called as Punjab, the land of the five rivers. And Guru Nanak Sahib he was born on a Hindu Kshatriya family that’s the warrior caste family. And the word ‘Sikh’ is derived from the word ‘Sisya’ which means a ‘disciple.’ Therefore Sikhism is called as the religion of ten Guru’s, the first and the founder is Guru Nanak Sahib and the last is Guru Gobind Sahib and the sacred book of Sikhism is the Guru Granth Sahib, also know as Adi Granth. And every Sikh has to maintain his five ‘Ks’ .

The first ‘K’ is the ‘Kesh’, that’s the uncut hair which all the gurus kept. The second ‘K’ is the ‘Kanga’, that’s the comb to keep the hair clean. The third ‘K’ is the ‘Kadha’, that’s a metal or a steel bangle which is used for strength. The fourth ‘K’ is the ‘Kirpan’, or the dagger which is used for self defense. And the fifth ‘K’ is the ‘Kacha’ or the long under draws or under wear which is used for agility.

Every Sikh according to Sikhism has to maintain his 5 ‘Ks.’ And if you ask any Sikh that what is the definition of Almighty God in Sikhism, the best reply he can give you is quote to you the ‘Mul Mantra’ of Sikhism. That’s the fundamental creed of Sikhism, which is there in the first volume of Guru Granth Sahib, 1st Chapter, 1st Verse, know as ‘Japuji’

It says that God is only One. He is called as the ‘True’, the Creator who’s free from fear and hate, ‘the Immortal, ‘not begotten’, ‘Self-Existing’ ‘Great and Compassionate’. This is the definition of Almighty God in the Japuji which is the Mul Mantra of Sikhism.

And Sikhism is strictly a monotheistic religion. And in the un-manifest form Almighty God in Sikhism is called as ‘Ek Omkara’ and in the manifest form, he’s called as ‘Omkara’. And there are various attributes given to Almighty God in Sikhism, in the sacred scriptures, he is refered to as ‘Akal’… that’s Eternal. He’s called as the ‘Kartar’, the creator. He’s referred to as ‘Satnama’ which is the Holy Name. He’s called as ‘Sahib’ which means the Lord. He’s called as ‘Parvardigar’, which means the Cherisher. He’s called as ‘Rahim’… the Merciful. He’s called as ‘Karim’…‘the Beneficient, he’s also called as ‘Wahe Guru’, means ‘One true God’.

Sikhism besides being a Monotheistic religion, it is against ‘Avtarvada’, which means it is against Almighty God taking incarnation. Against Almighty God incarnating known as ‘Avtar.’ And it is also against idol worship. And Guru Nanak, he was also influenced by Sant Kabir, and in our school days we were taught the couplets, the ‘Dohas’ of Sant Kabir, and one of the famous couplet which I learnt in school was,

“Dukh mein sumren sab kare, Sukh mein kare na koi. Jo sukh mein sumren kare, to dukh kahe hoi.”

Which means,

“During trouble all the people remember God but during Peace and happiness no one remembers God. The person who remembers God in times of peace and happiness, why should trouble touch him?” This is the same thing which is mentioned in the Qur’an, in Surah Al Zumar, Chapter 39, Verse No. 8, where Almighty God says, ...