Guru Nanak’s Universal Message: Bridging Hearts with the Muslim World Through Persian Verses in Raag Tilang
Bridging Faiths: Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Timeless Message in Raag Tilang
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, illuminated the universal essence of spirituality, transcending religious and cultural divides. The Shabad in Raag Tilang (Ang 721 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib), written partly in Persian, embodies this inclusive vision. Addressed to the Creator in a language familiar to many Muslims, the hymn bridges faiths, fostering a spiritual awakening that rises above sectarian boundaries.
The Universal Creator: Beyond Religions
The Shabad begins with the Mool Mantra, the foundational principle of Sikh philosophy:
ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ॥
Ik Oankar Sat Naam Karta Purakh Nirbhao Nirvair Akaal Moorat Ajooni Saibhang Gur Prasad."One Universal Creator God. Truth Is The Name. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying. Beyond Birth. Self-Existent. By Guru’s Grace."
This invocation describes the Creator as eternal, fearless, without enmity, and self-existent—qualities that transcend human labels like Hindu or Muslim. By employing Persian—a language widely spoken in Islamic regions—Guru Nanak resonates deeply with the Muslim community, emphasizing the Creator’s universality.
An Appeal to the Creator
Guru Nanak humbly prays to the Almighty, using Persian expressions that evoke a sense of respect and submission:
ਯਕ ਅਰਜ ਗੁਫਤਮ ਪੇਸਿ ਤੋ ਦਰ ਗੋਸ ਕੁਨ ਕਰਤਾਰ॥
Yak Arz Guftam Pés To Dar Gos Kun Kartar."I offer this one prayer to You; please listen to it, O Creator Lord."
Referring to the Divine as "ਕਰੀਮ" (Kareem) (Merciful) and "ਹਕਾ ਕਬੀਰ" (Hakaa Kabeer) (True and Great), Guru Nanak aligns his description of God with Islamic attributes. This bridges spiritual thought, highlighting shared reverence for the Divine.
ਹਕਾ ਕਬੀਰ ਕਰੀਮ ਤੂ ਬੇਐਬ ਪਰਵਦਗਾਰ ॥੧॥
Hakaa Kabeer Kareem Too Béaib Parvardagaar. ||1||"You are true, great, merciful, and spotless, O Cherisher Lord."
Life’s Transience and Accountability
Guru Nanak reminds us of the temporary nature of life and the certainty of death:
ਦੁਨੀਆ ਮੁਕਾਮੇ ਫਾਨੀ ਤਹਕੀਕ ਦਿਲ ਦਾਨੀ ॥
Duniya Mukame Faani Tehkeek Dil Dani."The world is a transitory place of mortality - know this for certain in your mind."
The inevitability of death is poignantly illustrated with a reference to ਅਜਰਾਈਲ (Azraa-eel), the Angel of Death in Islamic tradition:
ਮਮ ਸਰ ਮੂਇ ਅਜਰਾਈਲ ਗਿਰਫਤਹ ਦਿਲ ਹੇਚਿ ਨ ਦਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ॥
Mam Sar Mooi Azraa-eel Girafteh Dil Hech Na Dani. ||1|| Rahao."Azraa-eel, the Messenger of Death, has caught me by the hair on my head, and yet, I do not know it at all in my mind. ||1||Pause||"
The imagery urges reflection on mortality and transience as well as accountability, common to both Sikh and Islamic teachings.
Human Weakness and Redemption
The hymn reveals human fallibility in stark terms, offering a confession of greed and negligence:
ਜਨ ਪਿਸਰ ਪਦਰ ਬਿਰਾਦਰਾਂ ਕਸ ਨੇਸ ਦਸਤੰਗੀਰ ॥
Jan Pisar Padar Biraadaraan Kas Nes Dastangeer.
Spouse, children, parents, and siblings - none of them will be there to hold your hand.ਆਖਿਰ ਬਿਅਫਤਮ ਕਸ ਨ ਦਾਰਦ ਚੂੰ ਸਵਦ ਤਕਬੀਰ ॥੨॥
Aakhir Bi-aftam Kas Na Daarad Choon Savad Takbeer. ||2||
And when at last I fall, and the time of my last prayer has come, there shall be no one to rescue me. ||2||
ਸਬ ਰੋਜ ਗਸਤਮ ਦਰ ਹਵਾ ਕਰਦੇਮ ਬਦੀ ਖਿਆਲ ॥
Sab Roj Gastam Dar Havaa Kardem Badee Khiaal."Night and day, I wandered around in greed, contemplating evil schemes."
Acknowledging personal failings, Guru Nanak sets an example of humility. His candid self-assessment resonates with the Islamic practice of Tawba (repentance) and the Sikh principle of Hukam (awareness of Divine Will):
ਗਾਹੇ ਨ ਨੇਕੀ ਕਾਰ ਕਰਦਮ ਮਮ ਈ ਚਿਨੀ ਅਹਵਾਲ ॥੩॥
Gaahé Na Nékee Kaar Kardam Mam Eeⁿ Chinee Ahvaal. ||3||"I never did good deeds; this is my condition. ||3||"
Unity in Submission
In the closing lines, Guru Nanak acknowledges human fallibility while surrendering to the Divine:
ਬਦਬਖਤ ਹਮ ਚੁ ਬਖੀਲ ਗਾਫਿਲ ਬੇਨਜਰ ਬੇਬਾਕ ॥
Badbakht Ham Cho Bakheel Gaafil Bénajar Bébaak.
I am unfortunate, miserly, negligent, shameless and without the Fear of God.ਨਾਨਕ ਬੁਗੋਯਦ ਜਨੁ ਤੁਰਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਚਾਕਰਾਂ ਪਾ ਖਾਕ ॥੪॥੧॥
Nanak Bugoyad Jan Tura Tere Chaakaraan Paa Khaak. ||4||1||
Says Nanak, I am Your humble servant, the dust of the feet of Your slaves. ||4||1||
This ultimate act of submission resonates deeply with Islamic notions of servitude to God (Abd-Allah). By identifying as a servant, Guru Nanak dissolves ego, a barrier to divine connection in all faiths.
This resonates deeply with the Islamic notion of Abd-Allah (Servant of God), emphasizing the dissolution of ego—a barrier to Divine connection in all faiths.
Raag Tilang: A Melodic Frame for Universal Reflection
Raag Tilang, one of the 31 primary (shudh) ragas in the Sikh musical tradition, holds a unique position in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This raga originates from the Indian classical tradition but is particularly known for its gentle, soothing, and reflective tonal quality. It is often associated with deep introspection and spiritual awakening, making it an apt choice for hymns like this Shabad, which addresses themes of mortality, humility, and submission to the Divine.
Raag Tilang is traditionally sung during the second quarter of the night, a time conducive to contemplation and prayer. This time of day, characterized by stillness and quiet, mirrors the introspective and meditative mood of the raga. Its gentle flow allows the devotee to focus inwardly, aligning their emotions with the Shabad’s profound message. By choosing Raag Tilang, Guru Nanak ensures that the hymn resonates deeply with the listener, guiding them toward a state of humility, surrender, and awareness of life’s transience.
The use of this raga enhances the Shabad’s ability to foster a spiritual connection, uniting all listeners, regardless of their faith or background, in the shared human quest for meaning and truth.
A Call to Unity
Far from proselytizing, this Shabad invites Muslims—and indeed all humanity—into the fold of spirituality through shared values like humility, devotion, and self-reflection. Guru Nanak’s use of Persian not only makes his message accessible but also demonstrates profound respect for Islamic culture. His teachings remind us that Sikhism, rather than dividing, seeks to unite humanity under the banner of universal truth.
Through Raag Tilang, Guru Nanak bridges faiths, urging everyone to transcend labels and find the Divine within. For seekers, this hymn exemplifies Sikhism’s inclusive philosophy: a faith rooted in love, humility, and universal brotherhood1.
Disclaimer: We do not claim to be scholars of Sikh scriptures. This article is based on widely available translations and transliterations found on the internet. If any errors or mistakes have inadvertently occurred, we sincerely apologize in advance.
