Introductory - Global Sikh Studies

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further torn by extreme sectarian rivalry within their own ranks.
Religious votaries were pigeon-holed into sect or the other. It was not
common to rise above narrow sectarian considerations. It was in this
milieu that Guru Nanak declared that he was neither a Hindu nor a
Mussalman. To pointed questions at different places, he replied, ‘I am
neither a Hindu, nor a Mussalman. I accept neither the Ved, nor the
Koran.’ 1 ‘If I say I am a Hindu, I am lost altogether; at the same time
I am not a Mussalman.’ 2 He advised the Yogis to rise above sectarianism
and regard the whole humanity as their own. 3 Besides his numerous
hymns, there is the evidence of the Janamsakhis that the
contemporaries of Guru Nanak were impressed by his universal
humanitarian approach. When he visited the tomb of Sheikh Bahaud-Din
Zakria in Multan, the Muslim priest observed, “We know you
do not discriminate between Hindus and Muslims.” 4 Guru Nanak
advised a Muslim saint named Wali Kandhari not to differentiate
between Sunnis and Rafzies, because all the sects belonged to God. 5
The Pathan Ubare Khan recognized that the Guru was above Hindu
or Muslim sectarianism. 6 When Guru Nanak settled at Kartarpur, both
Hindus and Muslims used to visit him. 6a Bhai Gurdas, a near
contemporary of Guru Nanak wrote: ‘Hindus and Muslims, forsaking
their sectarianism, began to worship Baba (Guru Nanak).’ 7 Coming
under the influence of Guru Nanak, ‘Hindus and Muslims shed of
their sectarianism.’ At his death, Hindus and Muslims both claimed
the right to perform his last rites. 8 His image in mass mind is reflected
by the popular saying: ‘Nanak Shah faqir is Guru to Hindus and Pir to
the Muslims.’
Although the universalism of Guru Nanak lent its own
distinctiveness to his message, the real reason which made this
differentiation deep and lasting was that his gospel cut at the roots of
some of the most cherished faiths of both the Hindus and the
Mussalmans. The Guru repudiated all claims to exclusive religious
authority by any prophet or scripture. The Sikhs Gurus accepted not
authority other than that of God. “God being ineffable, Brahma and
Vishnu have not His limits;…. He made millions of Indars and Bawans;
He created and destroyed Brahmas and Shivas.” 9 Secondly, “In his court,
there are hundreds of thousands of Muhammads, Brahmas, Bishnu