Islam & Sikhism - Gurmit Singh

⭐ Book Summary: “Islam & Sikhism” – Gurmit Singh

Author: Gurmit Singh
Theme: A comparative, historical, and scriptural study of Sikhism and Islam, focusing on similarities, differences, and interactions between the two faiths.

This book is NOT polemical — it aims to present a balanced academic comparison.

🔷 1. Purpose of the Book

Gurmit Singh’s main objective is:

• To explore how Sikhism and Islam understand God, humanity, ethics, society, and spiritual life.

• To clear misconceptions created by politics or propaganda.

• To show how the two religions have interacted through history — sometimes in harmony, sometimes in conflict.

He writes as a researcher, not as a preacher.

🔷 2. Concept of God

Sikhism:

• God is formless, unborn, beyond time, omnipresent.

• God is Ik Onkaar — One Reality expressed through creation.

• No chosen nation, no exclusivity, no forced conversion.

Islam:

• God is Allah, unique, singular, without partners.

• Strict monotheism (Tawhid).

• Prophets are messengers conveying Allah’s guidance.

Common Point:
Both reject idol worship and emphasize One God.

🔷 3. Scripture

Guru Granth Sahib:

• Hymns of Guru Sahiban and saints of various backgrounds.

• Spiritual universalism, poetry, and devotion.

Qur’an:

• Divine revelation to Prophet Muhammad.

• Legal, moral, and theological guidance.

Difference:

• Sikh scripture is sung and devotional.

• Islamic scripture is considered literal revelation and preserved word-by-word.

🔷 4. Human Equality & Ethics

Both faiths strongly emphasize:

• Equality of all humans

• Justice and dignity

• Honest living

• Prayer, charity, service

• Protection of the weak

Sikhism: Stresses seva, langar, and shared humanity.
Islam: Stresses zakat, sadaqah, and social responsibility.

🔷 5. Historical Interactions

The book discusses key historical points:

• Encounters between Sikh Gurus and Muslim saints (e.g., Baba Farid’s hymns in Guru Granth Sahib)

• Guru Nanak’s travels through Muslim lands

• Sikh–Mughal relations — spiritual dialogue as well as political conflict

• Muslim allies who supported Sikh Gurus

• How politics, not religion, caused many conflicts

Gurmit Singh stresses that Mughals ≠ all Muslims, and Sikh history had many examples of Muslim friendship and support.

🔷 6. Religious Practices

Sikhism:

• Meditation on Naam

• Honest living

• Equality

• No ritual fasting, no forced prayer timings

Islam:

• Salah (five daily prayers)

• Fasting in Ramadan

• Pilgrimage (Hajj)

• Clear legal guidelines (Sharia)

Difference: Sikhism resists ritualism; Islam has structured ritual duties.

🔷 7. Conversion & Freedom

This is one of the key comparative areas:

Sikhism:

• No conversion rituals.

• Faith is personal and voluntary.

Islam:

• Allows conversion through declaration of faith.

• Historically spread both peacefully and through political expansion.

The author keeps the discussion factual and avoids sensationalism.

🔷 8. Role of Saints, Prophets, Gurus

Sikhism:

• Gurus are enlightened teachers, not prophets.

• Revelation is continuous through spiritual wisdom.

Islam:

• Prophets are chosen and final prophet is Muhammad.

• Revelation ended with the Qur’an.

🔷 9. Spiritual Goal

Sikhism:

• Union with the Divine through love, humility, and Naam.

Islam:

• Submission to God’s will, worship, and righteous conduct for eternal reward.

Both emphasize discipline, devotion, and morality.

🔷 10. Conclusion of the Book

Gurmit Singh concludes that:

• Sikhism and Islam share many ethical values but differ in theology and practice.

• Their historical relationship is complex — marked by dialogue, friendship, and also political conflict.

• True understanding requires reading scriptures, not stereotypes.

• Both religions can coexist with mutual respect, as their core teachings emphasize justice and humanity.

⭐ Short Summary (One Paragraph)

“Islam & Sikhism” by Gurmit Singh provides a balanced and scholarly comparison between the two religions. It explains their beliefs about God, scripture, ethics, and spiritual life, while also examining their historical interactions. The author highlights similarities in moral values but also shows clear differences in theology and practice. The book promotes understanding and respect rather than conflict.