Introduction to Sikhism

By Dr Zakir Naik
Sikhism is a non-Semitic, Aryan, non-Vedic religion. It is
a religion that has the sixth largest following in the world.
Some consider it as an offshoot of Hinduism. It was
founded by Guru anak at the end of the !"th century. It
originated in the area of #akistan and orth $est India
called #un%ab, meaning the land of the fi&e ri&ers. Guru
anak was born in a 'shatriya (warrior caste) Hindu
family but was &ery strongly influenced by Islam and
*uslims.
DEFINITION OF SIKH AND SIKHISM

+he word ,Sikh- is deri&ed from the word sisya meaning
disci.le or follower. Sikhism is a religion of ten Gurus,
the first Guru being Guru anak and the tenth and the
last being Guru Gobind Singh. +he sacred book of
Sikhism is Sri Guru Granth also called Adi Granth Sahib.

THE FIVE K!s
/&ery Sikh is su..osed to kee. the following fi&e ,'-s,
which also ser&e to identify him as a Sikh0
'esh 1 uncut hair.
'anga 1 comb2 used to kee. the hair clean.
'ada 1 metal or steel bangle2 for strength and self-
restraint.
'ir.an 1 dagger2 for self-defence.
'accha 1 s.ecial knee length underwear or under-drawer
for agility.
"ON"E#T OF $OD IN SIKHISM
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M%&MANT'A( THE F%NDAMENTA& "'EED OF SIKHISM
+he best definition that any Sikh can gi&e regarding the conce.t of God
Sikhism is to 3uote the *ulmantra 1 the fundamental creed of Sikhism,
which occurs at the beginning of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
It is mentioned in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, &olume ! 4a.u%i, the first
&erse0
5+here exists but one God, who is called +he +rue, +he 6reator, 7ree
from fear and hate, Immortal, ot begotten, Self-/xistent, Great and
6om.assionate.5
Sikhism is a monotheistic 8eligion
Sikhism en%oins its followers to .ractise strict monotheism. It belie&es in only 9ne Su.reme God who is,
in the unmanifest form, called /k 9mkara.
In the manifest form He is called 9mkara and has se&eral attributes such as0
'artar 1 +he 6reator
Akal 1 +he /ternal
Sattanama 1 +he Holy ame
Sahib 1 +he :ord
#ar&ardigar 1 +he 6herisher
8ahim 1 +he *erciful
'arim 1 +he ;ene&olent
He is also called $ahe Guru 1 the 9ne true God.
;esides Sikhism being strictly monotheistic, it also does not belie&e in A&atara&ada 1 the doctrine of
incarnation. Almighty God does not incarnate Himself in what is known as A&atara. Sikhism is also
strongly against idol worshi..
Guru anak was influenced by Sant 'abir
Guru anak was influenced by the sayings of Sant 'abir so much that se&eral cha.ters of Sri Guru Granth
Sahib contain cou.lets of Sant 'abir.
9ne of the famous cou.lets of Sant 'abir is0
5<ukh mein sumirana sabh karein
Sukh mein karein na koya
4o sukh mein sumirana karein
+o dukh kaye hoye=5
5In times of trouble, God is remembered by all
;ut none remembers Him during .eace and ha..iness.
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If God is remembered in good times of ha..iness
$hy should trouble occur=5
6om.are this with the following &erse of the >ur-an0
5$hen some trouble toucheth man,
He crieth unto his :ord,
+urning to Him in re.entance0
;ut when He bestoweth
A fa&our u.on him
As from Himself,
(*an) doth forget what he cried
And .rayed for before,
And he doth set u.
8i&als unto Allah.5
?Al->ur-an @A0BC
+he Sikh scri.tures therefore em.hasise monotheism and God-consciousness.
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