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By Ijaz Chaudry
Common traits between
Sikhism and Islam;
Sikhism;
Nam japna:
Keeping God in mind at
all times.
Kirt Karna:
Earning an honest
living. Since God is truth, a Sikh seeks to live honestly. This doesn't just
mean avoiding crime; Sikhs avoid gambling, begging, or working in the alcohol or
tobacco industries.
Vand Chhakna:
(Literally, sharing
one's earnings with others) Giving to charity and caring for others.
Islam;
Islam also among other
things accept and follow the three deities which Sikhs follow;
Muslims recite Salat
(Contact Prayers) five times a day, say "God willing" when ever they do
something, thank God by saying "God's Gift" whenever some good things happen.
All these actions by Muslims keep God in forefront and remember God.
Honest living is also
encouraged in Islam;
Moses Marries
[28:26] One of
the two women said, "O my father, hire him. He is the best one to hire, for he
is strong and honest."
[44:18]
Proclaiming: "Listen to me, servants of GOD. I am an honest messenger to
you."
Islam forbids alcohol and gambling but says nothing about
working in this industry, which is good because due to some unforgiving
circumstance one might need to work in this industry and one can do so.
Giving to Charity is
very important in Islam. Once a man
or a woman starts earning, he/she is obliged to pay Obligatory Charity called
Zakat, from their income every time they get paid to their family, relatives or
poor;
[2:43] You shall
observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and
bow down with those who bow down.
Difference between
Sikhism and Islam, Islamic point of view;
Sikhism;
Sikhism was founded in
the 16th century in the Punjab district of what is now India and Pakistan. It
was founded by Guru Nanak and is based on his teachings, and those of the 9 Sikh
gurus who followed him.
Islam;
Islam is the first
religion of the world, the first Muslim (Submitter in English) was Adam the
first man who God created from mud.
At that time believing in God was sufficient to be a believer.
Adam was also a prophet, who received words (revelations) from God.
Later Abraham brought all the rites of Islam as we know it today, he also
named this religion Islam (Submission in English) with the leave of God.
In Islam, humans have not created this religion, humans just abide and
follow the words of God. The
prophets are those blessed humans who receive the word of God as scriptures like
Torah (Old Testament), Gospel (New
Testament) and Quran (The Final Testament).
Muslims respect all prophets and messengers equally without making any
distinction. At least that’s what we
should be doing, but the traditionalists have changed this and respect Muhammad
more than other prophets, this is blasphemy and a great sin.
Thus these are hypocrites and not Muslims at all.
Muslims should follow Quran alone for their religious guidance, however,
today's Muslims use other literature like Hadith for religious guidance, which
are not revelations from God but human words of, which are
6th Century laws
of ignorance. Quran specifically
tell us not to follow Hadith.
Adam received the
words;
[2:37] Then, Adam
received from his Lord words, whereby He redeemed him. He is the Redeemer, Most
Merciful.
Quran fully
detailed;
[10:37] This
Quran could not possibly be authored by other than GOD. It confirms all previous
messages, and provides a fully detailed scripture. It is infallible, for it
comes from the Lord of the universe.
Hadith forbidden;
[12:111] In their
history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not
fabricated Hadith; this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures, provides the
details of everything, and is a beacon and mercy for those who believe.
[31:6] Among the
people, there are those who uphold baseless Hadith, and thus divert others from
the path of GOD without knowledge, and take it in vain. These have incurred a
shameful retribution.
Sikhism;
Sikhism is a
monotheistic religion.
Islam;
Islam is truly
monotheistic religion. Islam differs
from other monotheistic religions, by the worship of God alone and denouncing
any gods besides God no matter how subtle.
However, saying that let me qualify my statement, because today's Muslims
do just that, they idolise Muhammad and love him more then God.
This is indeed a greatest sin, and definitely those who do this are idol
worshipers and not believers (Muslims) and if they do not repent and stop idol
worshiping they will end up Hell. I
as a messenger of God denounce all this idolatry and ask others to do the same.
Muhammad never said to
idolize him;
[3:79] Never
would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophet hood say to
the people, "Idolize me beside GOD." Instead, (he would say), "Devote yourselves
absolutely to your Lord alone," according to the scripture you preach and the
teachings you learn.
Only those who submit
to God totally are believers;
[4:146] Only
those who repent, reform, hold fast to GOD, and devote their religion absolutely
to GOD alone, will be counted with the believers. GOD will bless the believers
with a great recompense.
Sikhism;
Sikhism stresses the
importance of doing good actions rather than merely carrying out rituals
Sikhs believe that the
way to lead a good life is to:
keep God in heart and
mind at all times
live honestly and work
hard
treat everyone equally
be generous to the less
fortunate
serve others
Islam;
Islam emphasize on
living a righteous lives. The
righteousness is defined as follows in the Quran (The Final Testament);
Righteousness
Defined
[2:177]
Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous
are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the
prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans,
the needy, the travelling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they
observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and
they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly
persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful;
these are the righteous.
Discouraging
Capital Punishment*
[2:178] O you who
believe, equivalence is the law decreed for you when dealing with murder - the
free for the free, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. If one is
pardoned by the victim's kin, an appreciative response is in order, and an
equitable compensation shall be paid. This is an alleviation from your Lord and
mercy. Anyone who transgresses beyond this incurs a painful retribution.
2:178 The Quran clearly
discourages capital punishment. Every kind of excuse is provided to spare lives,
including the life of the murderer. The victim's kin may find it better, under
certain circumstances, to spare the life of the murderer in exchange for an
equitable compensation. Also capital punishment is not applicable if, for
example, a woman kills a man, or vice versa.
[2:179]
Equivalence is a life saving law for you, O you who possess intelligence, that
you may be righteous.
Sikhism;
Sikhs believe that
human beings spend their time in a cycle of birth, life, and rebirth. They share
this belief with followers of other Indian religious traditions such as
Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism
Islam;
Islam believes in two
lives and two deaths for the disbelievers and two lives and one death for the
believers.
Two Deaths and
Two Lives for the Disbelievers
[2:28] How can
you disbelieve in GOD when you were dead and He gave you life, then He puts you
to death, then He brings you back to life, then to Him you ultimately return?
They Go Straight
to Paradise
[16:32] The
angels terminate their lives in a state of righteousness, saying, "Peace be upon
you. Enter Paradise (now) as a reward for your works."*
*16:30-32 The righteous
taste only the first death, which has been already experienced by all of us (see
44:56). At the end of their interim in this world, the angels of death simply
invite them to move on to the Paradise where Adam and Eve once lived (2:154,
3:169, 8:24, 22:58, 36:26-27).
Thus in Islam there is
emphasis on a fact that this life is our last chance to redeem our selves and
make it to the Paradise, the same Paradise from where Adam & Eve were evicted
from and where they are now with all the Prophets and messengers and believers.
Sikhism;
Getting close to God
When a Sikh wants to
see God, they look both at the created world and into their own heart and soul.
Their aim is to see the
divine order that God has given to everything, and through it to understand the
nature of God.
Islam;
In Islam one cannot see
God but can see God's creation. Many
times in the Quran it is emphasis to observe God's signs like night and day etc;
[3:190] In the
creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,
there are signs for those who possess intelligence.
[6:99] He is the
One who sends down from the sky water, whereby we produce all kinds of plants.
We produce from the green material multitudes of complex grains, palm trees with
hanging clusters, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranate; fruits that are
similar, yet dissimilar. Note their fruits as they grow and ripen. These are
signs for people who believe.
[7:26] O children
of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for
luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of
GOD's signs, that they may take heed.
Quran enlightens us
that we cannot fathom the greatness of God, however, we can only appreciate in
this world what God has shown us and Glorify God every moment that we observe
these signs.
[39:67] They can
never fathom the greatness of GOD. The whole earth is within His fist on the Day
of Resurrection. In fact, the universes are folded within His right hand.* Be He
glorified; He is much too high above needing any partners.
*39:67 Our universe,
with its billion galaxies, a billion trillion stars, uncountable decillions of
heavenly bodies, spanning many billions of light-years, is the smallest and
innermost of seven universes. This incomprehensible vastness of the seven
universes is within God's hand. Such is the greatness of God.
Sikhism;
Sikhs believe that most
of us misunderstand the universe. We think that it exists on its own, when it
really exists because God wills it to exist, and is a portrait of God’s own
nature
Islam;
Quran tells us that God
is holding together the Universes;
Greatness of God
[39:67] They can
never fathom the greatness of GOD. The whole earth is within His fist on the Day
of Resurrection. In fact, the universes are folded within His right hand. Be He
glorified; He is much too high above needing any partners.
Sikhism;
A Sikh serves God by
serving (seva) other people every day. By devoting their lives to service they
get rid of their own ego and pride
Islam;
Quran accept the ranks
in life, some have high ranks and others are subordinates, God approves that and
tells the believers to recognise and fulfil this arrangement.
God also does not like egos and asks us to demolish any ego we might
have, God likes the humble and righteous.
[6:165] He is the
One who made you inheritors of the earth, and He raised some of you above others
in rank, in order to test you in accordance with what He has given you. Surely,
your Lord is efficient in enforcing retribution, and He is Forgiver, Most
Merciful.
[43:32] Are they
the ones who assign your Lord's mercy? We have assigned their shares in this
life, raising some of them above others in ranks, in order to let them serve one
another. The mercy from your Lord is far better than any material they may
hoard.
Setting egos as gods is
absurd
[2:54] Recall
that Moses said to his people, "O my people, you have wronged your souls by
worshiping the calf. You must repent to your Creator. You shall kill your egos.
This is better for you in the sight of your Creator." He did redeem you. He is
the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
[25:43]
Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?
[45:23] Have you
noted the one whose god is his ego? Consequently, GOD sends him astray, despite
his knowledge, seals his hearing and his mind, and places a veil on his eyes.
Who then can guide him, after such a decision by GOD? Would you not take heed?
Sikhism and abortion
Abortion is generally
forbidden in Sikhism, as it interferes in the creative work of God - who created
everything and is present in every being.
Most Sikhs accept that
life begins at conception (one reference is found on page 74 of the Guru Granth
Sahib).
So if conception has
taken place, it would be a sin to destroy life and hence deliberate miscarriage
or abortion is forbidden.
Islam;
Islam allows selective
abortion. According to Islam life
does not begin at conception. Life
begins when foetus is formed in the womb.
Because only taking life is forbidden (unjustifiably) in Islam abortion
is allowed when baby is just an embryo.
This fact .i.e. life is given to foetus is described in the following
verse, which further clarifies that embryo can be aborted;
[22:5] O people,
if you have any doubt about resurrection, (remember that) we created you from
dust, and subsequently from a tiny drop, which turns into a hanging (embryo),
then it becomes a foetus that is given life or deemed lifeless. We thus clarify
things for you. We settle in the wombs whatever we will for a predetermined
period. We then bring you out as infants, then you reach maturity. While some of
you die young, others live to the worst age, only to find out that no more
knowledge can be attained beyond a certain limit. Also, you look at a land that
is dead, then as soon as we shower it with water, it vibrates with life and
grows all kinds of beautiful plants.
*This law is very important in the case of rape.
Also the birth controlling pill also works in similar fashion.
The gender of the baby cannot be recognized at the embryo stage,
therefore this type of abortion is safe as regards to selection of baby gender.
This article has
direct reference to material on
www.bbc.co.uk/religion.
Thus the paragraphs under the heading “Sikhism” is from BBC.
Lot of effort has been taken to leave this material in its original form
and minimize the amount of material in proportion to what BBC has put on their
site. This is done in
compliance with Section 110 (5) of the Copyright Act 1976.