''SIKHS ARE NOT HINDUS'' SIKHS ARE NOT ANTI-ISLAMISTS''
Some Basic myths about Sikhism (for nonsikhs and Sikhs)- Some questions which sikhs face daily.
- Sikhs came to save 'Hindus'....
- Sikhs are Hindus.. Some say-''Aaye to Hinduon se hi hain na''.
- For Sikhs- liquor is allowed but not Cigarette...
- Sikhism is against Islam ..
- Sikhs demand 'Khalistan''- a separate land for sikhs.
- Sikhism is a religion of old age with no fashion sense....
Answers- (knowledge has limits- correct me if m wrong )
1.The reason of -'Sikhs existence' was never to save Hindus... Since the advent of Sikhism in 1469 with birth of'Guru Nanak Dev ji'- Sikhism was only concerned with Spiritual reforms,social reforms and was against malpractices, blind rituals, casteism, idol worship, dowry etc. But after about 200 years- the political situation of that time did not allow sikhs to flourish and project their ideology n philosphy independently.. So, they took Sword in hands to save themselves and the downtrodden, oppressed ones and poor. (that too - after 200 years since its inception). Only after the martyrdom of 5th guru-'Guru Arjan Dev ji'- our 6th Guru-'Guru Hargobind ji'started organising sikhs as Martial community... Though 9th Guru-'Guru Tegh Bahadur ji 'laid his life for Hindus- which prompted 10th Guru to create a separate religion- the KHALSA... So- sikhs have an obligation to help anyone- who is weak, opressed and poor against the unjust and tyranny- may it be Hindus, muslims, christians or anybody.....................
2. Sikhs are not 'Hindus' at all.... If the criteria is where they came from? Than by that way- Muslims are Pagans, judaism is the forerunner of christianity- so all Christians are Jews-''Aaye to jews se hi hain na- as they say''and lastly- where from hindus came? -than-''Hinduism came as an assembly of many traditions- the basic being Indus valley civilisation(before 2000 bc), vedic times(1500 to 500 B.C.)- So- by that way-''Hindus are Tribals and Pagans''.. In the words of ignorants -''Hindus aaye to Kabeeley waalo se hi na''.... Are they???? NO..... Its a vast mythology and spiritual philosphy... A small story my friend once told me ..''Grafting of plants and trees are common and hybridisation too-''Khubani''- a large apricot is more sweeter and tastier than small wild apricot''Haadi''- the former came from Haadi as a result of hybridisation.... Now a person eating''Khubaani''is repeatedly poked-''khaa to Haadi hi rahe ho- fir kya hua badi hai aur meethi hai''.... The brainy ones got ma point...
3. Sikhs believe in'spiritual awakening and realisation of God through'Naam japna'- and no one who uses intoxication of any kind- can spiritually awaken oneself... So- liquor, tobacco, marijuana etc. -everything is extremely prohibited... However- smoking was given excessive stress because its use can intoxicate others too who actually don't smoke and harm them passively..... So those smart people who advocate-''Its our own life- we have individual identity to think and eat/drink anything we want''must always know that people in vicinity are also getting harmed by your addiction/habit....So- cigarette is extremely prohibited... But that doesn't mean- liquor is not ... It is ....
4. Sikhism has never been against 'ISLAM'- the religion of peace... The sikhs absolutely respect the basic teachings of Islam - being synonym with Sikhs- viz. Oneness of God(IkOnkar/La Ilaha ill Allah), Sangat(religious assembly), naam japna (namaaz), daswand(zakaat), deen or duniya (grahst-jeevan), righteous living etc. Etc. Etc. However- since Sikhs fought battle against the than rulers who were muslims- people think- sikhs are against muslims and islam.... No-not at all... If this would have been the case- the 5th Guru would not have asked'Sain Mian mir'to lay foundation stone of Darbar Sahib/Golden temple....... Peer Bikhan shah, Sheikh farid,Bhai Mardana - all were devoted Muslims holding high regards in sikh community and Gurus.... The concept of'Jehad'is even synonym with Guru Gobind Singh ji's zafarnama quote''Chu kar azz hamaa heel tey darr gusast- halal ast burdan baa shamsheer dast''- which means holding sword against tyranny, terror, and unjust rule is righteous if all means of love and talks fail.... However- killing innocents , commiting atrocities in the name of God, killing children, women and unarmed is always strictly prohibited in Sikhism (and even in Islam).... The rulers who fought against Sikhs were nodoubt Muslims- but not the true believers of Islam as they were submerged in Kingship and enjoying at the expense of common masses. How can'Wazir khan'- who martyred chottey sahibzaadey(Guru's sons) at ages 7 and 9 years- be considered as believer of''religion of peace''... Those rulers did not represent Islam in Sikh's eyes...... The terror has no religion and terrorists don't represent any religion....
5. The concept of 'Khalistan' is universal among Sikhs ...'Khalis'means pure and'stan'means land.... However- khalistan is nothing but an inner desire of every Sikh to have a''Pure land where no one believes in any discrimination, a land where no Girl is raped and mistreated, a land where all religions flourish and law of God shall prevail, a land where'corruption'has no place, a land where no girl dies for want of dowry or not wearing Veil, a land where all love eachother and basic human rights are intact''... But- some superficially knowledged persons and some agencies try to defame the'khalistan'movement as demand of land- where only'sikhs'shall reside.. No way-
Sikhism foundation is based on''Sarbat da bhalla''-'Sarbat'means humanity not Sikhs only... Now- khalistan can never be a reality unless every individual introspect and start purifying oneself first- than comes the family- than locality- than community- and than country...
Sikhism is a universal concept n phenomenon... No one can confine a Sikh with in some borders... So- KHALISTAN for me is a Pure India, pure Canada, pure America, pure pakistan - infact the whole World......
6. A lot of fashion cravy persons say''sikhs keeps hairs- are not fashionable at all''
Guys- what is fashion ? It is actually a manifestation of individual's style and reflection of personality.... It is not- -following blindly what others do. If sikhs can represent country on borders, can represent country in sports, can represent country in politics - in their own unique style- why not in fashion? Why not wearing a cotton clothed turban to keep hairs clean - not fashionable..? Sikhs believe that our personality is reflection of inner soul and external bodily wellbeing....
So- sikhs by wearing its'article of faith- announce to the world that we are going to abide by certain values.. No matter what the circumstances are- we are not going to change..... Fashions will come and go-however- Sikhs shall not loose their innate style... Physical fitness and Pure heart are two attributes of our fashion with Turban - our Crown- our PRIDE.......