Please allow me to comment on the issue of Sikhism and Christianity in the context of comparative faith. I do not proclaim to be some religion scholar and I comment on the very little I know of Sikhism as a novice. However I still consider it a contradiction to term oneself a "Christian Sikh". I say that because page 1136 of the Shree Guru Sahib states:
"I observe neither Hindu fasting nor the ritual of the Muslim Ramadan month; Him I serve who at the last shall save. The Lord of universe of the Hindus, Gosain and Allah to me are one; From Hindus and Muslims have I broken free. I perform neither Kaaba pilgrimage nor at bathing spots worship; One sole Lord I serve, and no other. I perform neither the Hindu worship nor the Muslim prayer; To the Sole Formless Lord in my heart I bow. We neither are Hindus nor Muslims; Our body and life belong to the One Supreme Being who alone is both Ram and Allah for us."
Surely Shree Guru Arjan Dev is implying that the faith he teaches is distinct from all others.
Furthermore the Sikh Code of Conduct, Rehat Maryada also states who is a Sikh:
"Any human being who faithfully believes in: (i) One Immortal Being, (ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh, (iii) The Guru Granth Sahib, (iv) The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and, (v) the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh."
Notice the later part of criterion five [v].
Source: http://www.sikhs.org/summary.htm
I believe the NO prophet loved GOD and HUMANITY as did Shree Guru Nanak. I do not state such egotistically or to degrade other prophets but SIMPLY as a result of comparing the teachings of Shree Guru Nanak and Jesus. I have read literature written by Sikhs who have, in their efforts to differentiate Sikhism from Brahmanism, placed Sikhism "closer to Semitic Faiths". I do not agree with Sikhs placing Sikhism into the bracket of Semitic faiths [Islam, Judaism and Christianity] simply for their common believe in One God. It does not serve justice to Sikhism and elucidating its character as a unique, revealed, egalatarianistic and independent faith. I believe in Guru Nanak's concept of God [IK ONKAR], and I do not see IK ONKAR when reading the Bible or reading biographies of Jesus. I think it is because Shree Guru Nanak's concept of God is distinct from other religions [simply because Shree Guru Nanak and Jesus taught monotheism does not imply they possessed the same concept of God]. Allow me to explicate:
Certain Sikhs on this forum, such as Brother Ahluwlia have made statements such as:
"The most important similarity between Sikhism and Christianity is the belief in one God or what is known as Fatherhood Of God. However, this may have its differences too."
Well I do agree with this statement, especially the later part of it.
=> Shree Guru Nanak CORRECTLY taught us to always remember the ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD [there is no such expression of "our God" and "your God" in Sikhism because there is only ONE god who rules this creation and EVERYONE and EVERYTHING is subject to his laws]
"All are created from the seed of God. There is the same clay in the whole world, the potter (God) makes many kinds of pots."
Shree Guru Amar Das
"The Formless Supreme Being abides in the Realm of Eternity. Over His creation He casts His glance of grace. In that Realm are contained all the continents and the universes, Exceeding in number all count. Of creation worlds upon worlds abide therein; All obedient to His will; He watches over them in bliss, And has each constantly in mind." Shree Guru Nanak
Jaswinder Singh in "My Thirteen Reasons for Sikhism" says:
"Sikhism, is a religion of worship of One God. A God that has no 'chosen people', a God compassionate to all, God not bonded to a "single religion", God to be found and realized by all, God that is not pleased with ritualistic behavior, a God that is only pleased by "ANYONE" who with true devotion LOVES HIM, yes a God for all the UNIVERSE.. not of Jews, Sikh, Hindus, Muslims,etc."
Source: http://www.sikhs.org/art4.htm
[I believe Shree Guru Nanak was the FIRST prophet to teach this universal truth]
=> Jesus INCORRECTLY taught his disciples that God was partial and sympathetic ONLY to a "chosen" community, prophet and group of adherents (in this case the Christians and Christ). Hence, from the Christian perspective, if a B'haist for example, was to lead a life of chastity, benevolence, compassion, rectitude, humility, altruism & above all devoting all his/her love to God and his creation, he/she would still "be scorched by the eternal flames of hellfire for not accepting Jesus Christ as the ONLY son of God and the SOLE savior of Mankind". In my opinion this doctrine WRONGFULLY teaches that humans are not equal in the eyes of God. Such teachings which are laden with this prejudicial exclusivity belief do NOT cultivate LOVE and TOLERANCE at all.
In addition to teaching human inequality, Christianity/Christ also endorses the oppression of women, genocide of non-Christians and slavery.
Oppression of Women in the Bible [remember they are speaking of ONE HALF of humanity here]:
"For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man."
1 Corinthians 11:7-9
"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church."
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
The Bible Approves of Slavery
"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart"
Ephesians 6:5-6
"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven."
Colossians 3:22 - 4:1
"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed."
1 Timothy 6:1
The Bible Promotes Genocide
There are too many instances to quote directly - the following is an overview:
Joshua 8:1-29 "The Lord commands Joshua to kill 12,000 in the city of Ai."
Joshua 10:8-27 "Joshua kills fleeing attackers with help from the Lord."
Judges 20:23-48 "The children of Israel kill 25,100 Benjamites with the help of the Lord, and set fire to all their cities."
1 Samuel 15 "The Lord commands Saul to destroy every living thing in the city of Amalek. When Saul obeys but spares the king and some animals, the Lord punishes Saul for being disobedient."
1 Kings 20:13-30 "The Lord directs Ahab to kill 100,000 Syrians."
Jesus says: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."
Matthew 10:34-36
"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth" I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."
Luke 12:51-53
"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:26
The most revealing aspect of Jesus' character was his promotion of eternal torment.
"The Son of man [Jesus himself] shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
Matthew 13:41-42
"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched."
Mark 9:43
Source: http://www.ffrf.org/nontracts/jesus.html
Correct me if I am wrong but Gurbani is spoken and established on the basis of the Holy Naam. Holy Naam is the Gurbani. The ceaseless and constant remembrance and love for God and his creation is the most pervasive message of the Shree Guru Granth Sahib in my opinion. This is why the Shree Guru Granth Sahib appeals to the heart ... anyone who even takes a glimpse of Guru's sublime words immediately falls in love with the True Spiritual Master. Why do you feel such??? May you ask. Well to Guru Nanak the divisions of religious affiliations, creed, race, gender, caste and class do NOT effect a soul entering God's [the ultimate and True administrator of Justice] court. That is of course figuratively speaking because WAHEGURU is formless and omnipresent. Men and Women are judged on the constituents of their character and their actions according to God's will. A god-fearing, pious and loving Muslim is no different than a God - fearing, loving and pious Hindu. Both are Equal. This is why I believe Shree Guru Nanak had said "Nahee koihee Hindu nahee koihee Mussalman". Guru was implying that all men are BORN free, innocent and EQUAL.
Christianity/Christ SIMPLY do NOT teach this message. [Christians apologetics and Former Christians who are now Sikhs please spare me a rebuttal]
To Brother Sardar Gurwinder Singh,
In your post you have stated : "Now person has to have the clarity and understanding to which road to take and how would be that journey through that way."
I actually agree with what brother Jsingh had said earlier in a relative post and that is basically the following.
>> In Sikhism all men and women are equal.
>> In Sikhism the rights an individual possesses to practice their respective faith is equal
>> However all religions are NOT equal.
Let us not mistake tolerance for ACCEPTANCE. Shree Guru Nanak was very aware and tolerant of the righteous teachings present in other religions but he had also judiciously repudiated the shortcomings of these faiths as well.
Allow me to elucidate:
*** In Hinduism polytheism, casteism, renunciation, ceremonialism and otherworldliness are all believes and practices. Shree Guru Nanak rejected such believes:
"I do not accept Ganesha as important. I do not meditate on Krishna, neither on Vishnu. I do not hear them and do not recognize them. My love is with the Lotus feet of God. He is my protector, the Supreme Lord. I am dust of his Lotus feet."
(Guru Gobind Singh, Krishna Avatar)
"I have read all the Vedas, but my mind's separation from God is not removed and the five demons of my house (body) are stilled not even for an instant."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 687)
"Kabir, the Brahman may be the Guru of the world, but he is not the Guru of the saints. He rots to death in the perplexities of the four Vedas"
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 1377)
"There are four castes of the literates, warriors, cultivators and menials and the four stages of life. He who meditates on the Lord is the most distinguished amongst men."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 861)
"The Lord asks not mortals caste and birth, so find thou out the Lord's True Home (truth). That alone is man's caste and that his glory, as are the deeds which he does."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 1330)
"Millions of incarnations of Vishnu and Shiv, with matted hair Desire Thee, O Kind Lord, with endless longing of their mind and body. Infinite and Inaccessible is Lord, the World Sustainer, and He is the Omnipresent wealthy Master. The gods, perfect persons, heavenly heralds and celestial singers contemplate on Thee. The greater gods and heavenly dancers utter Thine praises. Myrids of kings, gods and many super human beings remember the Lord and hail Him."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 455)
"They who say the stone is a god; in vain is their service. He who falls at the feet of the stone; vain goes his labour. My Lord ever speaks. The Lord gives gifts to all the living beings. The Lord is within, but the blind one knows not. Deluded by doubt, he is caught in a noose. The stone speaks not, nor gives anything. In vain are the ceremonies of the idolater, and fruitless his service."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 1160)
"The greatly voluminous Simirtis and Shastras stretch out the extension of worldly love. The fools read them, but know not their Lord. Some rare one knows Him by the Guru's grace. Of Himself the Creator does and makes others do. By means of the True Bani, He implants truth within the mortal."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 1053)
*** In Islam pilgrimages, fasting, inferior treatment of women, absolute believes in the finality and exclusivity of the Koran and prophet Muhammad's teachings are all fundamental believes and practices ... Shree Guru Nanak rejected these believes and practices.
"The followers of the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran, standing at Your Door, meditate on You. Uncounted are those who fall at Your Door."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 518)
"The temple or the mosque are the same, the Hindu worship or the Musalman prayer are the same; all men are the same; it is through error they appear different. Deities, demons, Yakshas, heavenly singers, Musalmans and Hindus adopt the customary dress of their different countries. All men have the same eyes, the same ears, the same body, the same build, a compound of earth, air, fire, and water. Allah and Abhekh are the same, the Purans and the Quran are the same; they are all alike; it is the one God who created all. The Hindu God and the Muhammadan God are the same; let no man even by mistake suppose there is a difference."
(Shree Guru Gobind Singh)
"If the Lord Allah lives only in the mosque, then to whom does the rest of the world belong? "The God of the Hindus lives in the southern lands, and the God of the Muslims lives in the west. So search in your heart - look deep into your heart of hearts; this is the home and the place where God lives."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 1349)
"We are born of woman, we are conceived in the womb of woman, we are engaged and married to woman. We make friendship with woman and the lineage continued because of woman. When one woman dies, we take another one, we are bound with the world through woman. Why should we talk ill of her, who gives birth to kings" The woman is born from woman; there is none without her. Only the One True Lord is without woman"
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 473)
"The mind is not softened by fasting or austerities. Nothing else is equal to worship of the Lord's Name."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 905)
"The pilgrimage to shrines, fasting, cleanliness and self-mortification are not of any avail, nor are the rituals, religious ceremonies and hollow adoration's. Deliverance, O! Nanak! is in the devotional service of God. Through duality the mortal is engrossed in worldliness.
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 75)
Yet holding the knife, the world they butcher. Wearing blue the rulers approval they seek; With money derived from mlechhas the Puranas they worship. Goats slaughtered over the unapproved Muslims texts they eat."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 472)
"Make thy mind thy Mecca and make thy body thy temple of worship. This soul, the speaker is the Supreme Guru. O Maulvi, then utter thou the call to prayer. The one body mosque has ten doors. Slay thou thy wrath, doubt and malice and consume thine five demons. Thus thou shalt be blest with contentment. The Hindus and the Muslims have the same One Lord. For man, what can the Maulvi do and what can the Sheikh do?"
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 1158)
"The Muslims praise the Islamic law and they read and reflect upon it. According to them the Lord's servants are only they, who fall in captivity (of orthodoxy of Islamic law) to see His sight. The Hindus praise the Praiseworthy God, when they see in many beauteous form. They bathe at holy places, make flower offerings and spread the perfume of eagle-wood before idols. The yogis that there are meditate on the Absolute Lord and name the Creator as Unseen....Like the above, depart after eating here, what they had. Have they thus done any good deeds?"
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 465)
Page 276 of Shree Guru Granth Sahib truly allows us to tap into the unparalleled cosmoligical foresight of Shree Guru Nanak when he explains the nature of the the universe and how MILLIONS of holyboooks and prophets adore the LORD's name.
*** Guru Nanak did not accept the Jain lifestyle as a method towards salvation.
"They have their heads plucked, drink dirty water and repeatedly beg and eat other's leavings. They spread out ordure, with their mouths, suck its ordure and dread to look at water. With hands smeared with ashes, they have their heads plucked like sheep. The daily routine of their mothers and fathers they give up, and their kith and kin bewail loudly. For them none gives barley rolls and food on leaves, nor performs last rites, nor lights earthen lamp. After death where shall they be cast? The sixty-eight places of pilgrimage grant them no refuge, and Pandits eat not their food. They ever remain filthy day and night, and bear not sacrificial marks on their brow. They ever sit in groups, as if mourning and go not into the True Court. With begging bowls slung round their loins and a clew in their hands, they walk in single file. They are neither disciples of Gorakh nor adorers of Shiva, nor Muslim Qazis and Mullah's."
(Shree Guru Granth Sahib pg. 149)
*** The Hindu Law Book, Manusmirti, socially, politically, economically and spiritually divided mankind into the inhuman and oppressive caste system. Similarly the Koran divides humanity into the categories of Muslims, the Dhimmies [sp?] ("People of the Book" such Christians and Jews) an Kafirs (the "unbelievers, pagans, infidels and idolaters"). Shree Guru Nanak believes in the universal brotherhood of man and established an all-embracing dharma which was to eradicate such futile and inhumane divisions from society.
Addressing his beloved creation on the occasion of baisakhi, Guru Gobind Singh had said:
"Let all embrace one creed and obliterate differences of religion. Let the four Hindu castes who have different rules for their guidance abandon them all, adopt the one form of adoration, and become brothers. Let no one deem himself superior to another. Let none pay heed to the Ganges, and other places of pilgrimage which are spoken of with reverence in the Shastras, or adore incarnations such as Rama, Krishna, Brahma, and Durga, but believe in Guru Nanak and the other Sikh Gurus. Let men of the four castes receive my baptism, eat out of one dish, and feel no disgust or contempt for one another."
Also I think brother Jsingh asked these type of questions earlier.
Brother Sardar Gurwinder Singh, Please ask yourself:
1. If the authors of the Vedas, Torah, Bible, Gita and Koran had realized the Jewel of Nam then why did fifth Sikh Master Shree Guru Arjan Dev expend so much time and effort into compiling the Shree Guru Granth Sahib???
2. If the prophets Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Jesus an Mohammed taught men the righteous way, then why did Shree Guru Nanak traverse the entire Indian Subcontinent, the Himalayas to Tibet and Pakistan to Mecca and Baghdad to preach the Gospel of TRUTH????
3. If all religions are "But yes there are different roads"???? or you may call them different ways of getting enlightenment or merging with Most Merciful? then what factors caused Shree Guru Nanak to establish the most unique, progressive, universal, humane and egalatarianistic faith. A faith with it's own definitive holy book, founding fathers, places of worship, theologies, code of conduct and way of life????
I do agree with you in the regard of how we should judge people. Certainly not all Muslims are the Mughals. We should not juxtapose the atrocious deeds of past Muslim miscreants with who we perceive a Muslim is today. Pardon me if I sound impetuous but I would I not make statements such as "But now things are different I know that I was wrong and ISLAM is not different from any other beliefs, only thing is that some of the people who claims themselves to be follower of ISLAM are not following the teachings of ISLAM properly, but it doesn't make ISLAM or its scriptures (QURAN) to be bad". I certainly do not mean to relegate Muslims here but the truth is that the Koran is REPLETE with provocative verses that that can potentially compel it's follower to behave in an intolerant, defiling, ignorant, disparaging, inimical and pugnacious manner.
How can a follower of the Koran who reads, recites and implements the following verses into their lifestyle lead a life of compassion, pace, tolerance and virtue?????
Source: http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/quran/naeindex.htm
Chapter 1: Al-Fatihah
7: "The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians)."
191: "And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers."
Chapter 4: An-Nisa
56: "Surely! Those who disbelieved in Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment. Truly, Allâh is Ever Most Powerful, AllWise."
144: "O Ye who believe! choose not disbelievers for your friends in place of believers. Would you give Allah a clear warrant against you?"
This verse clarifies the fact that a true Muslim can never be a friend of a person of another faith. People who believe otherwise are under delusion.
151: "They are in truth disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating torment."
Chapter 5: Al- Mâ'idah
10: "They who disbelieve and deny our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) are those who will be the dwellers of the Hellfire."
51: "O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliyâ' (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but Auliyâ' to one another. And if any amongst you takes them as Auliyâ', then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allâh guides not those people who are the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)."
Chapter 7: Al-A'râf
44: "And the dwellers of Paradise will call out to the dwellers of the Fire (saying): "We have indeed found true what our Lord had promised us; have you also found true, what your Lord promised (warnings, etc.)?" They shall say: "Yes." Then a crier will proclaim between them: "The Curse of Allâh is on the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers, etc.)."
Chapter 8: Al-Anfâl
39: "And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allâh) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allâh Alone [in the whole of the world. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allâh), then certainly, Allâh is All-Seer of what they do."
50: "And if you could see when the angels take away the souls of those who disbelieve (at death), they smite their faces and their backs, (saying): "Taste the punishment of the blazing Fire."
57: "So if you gain the mastery over them in war, punish them severely in order to disperse those who are behind them, so that they may learn a lesson."
65: "O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Urge the believers to fight. If there are twenty steadfast persons amongst you, they will overcome two hundred, and if there be a hundred steadfast persons they will overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they (the disbelievers) are people who do not understand."
Chapter 9: At-Taubah
29: "Fight those who do not profess the true faith (Islam) till they pay the jiziya (poll tax) with the hand of humility."
This verse in Quran gave birth to the law that all non muslims living in an Islamic state have to pay the jiziya or poll tax for the privilege of being there. These people are called zimmis and are allowed to live and work in the Islamic lands under the following 20 disabilities:
They are not to build any new places of worship.
They are not to repair any old places of worship which have been destroyed by the muslims.
They are not to prevent muslim travellers from staying in their places of worship.
They are to entertain for 3 days any Muslim who wants to stay in their homes and for a longer period if the muslim falls ill.
They are not to harbor any hostility or give aid and comfort to hostile elements.
They are not to prevent any one of them from getting converted to Islam.
They have to show respect to every Muslim.
They have to allow Muslims to participate in their private meetings.
They are not to dress like muslims.
They are not to name themselves with Muslim names.
They are not to ride on horses with saddle and bridle.
They are not to possess arms.
They are not to wear signet or seals on their fingers.
They are not to sell or drink liquor openly
They are to wear a distinctive dress which shows their inferior status and separates them from Muslims.
They are not to propagate their custom and usages among the muslims.
They are not to build their houses in the neighbourhood of muslims.
They are not to bring their dead near the graveyards of the muslims.
They are not to observe their religious practices publicly or mourn their dead loudly.
They are not to buy muslim slaves.
(QURAN Chapter 37: Verses 40-48): "In the Gardens of Paradise, Facing one another on thrones, Round them will be passed a cup of pure wine; White, delicious to the drinkers, Neither they will have any kind of hurt, abdominal pain, headache, or sin, nor will they suffer intoxication from it. And with them will be chaste females, restraining their glances, with wide and beautiful eyes."
Source: http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/quran/noble/nobae037.htm
(QURAN 44:51-55): "Verily! The righteous will be in Paradise. Among Gardens and Springs; Dressed in fine silk and also in thick silk, facing each other, and We shall marry them to Houris with wide, lovely eyes."
Source: http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/quran/noble/nobae044.htm
(QURAN 52: 17-20): "Verily, for those who fear Allah there will be Gardens in Paradise, filled with Delight. Enjoying in that which their Lord has bestowed on them, and the fact that their Lord saved them from the torment of the blazing Fire. The Lord will say: "Eat and drink with happiness because of what you used to do". They will recline with ease on thrones arranged in ranks. And We shall marry them to Houris with wide lovely eyes."
Source: http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/quran/noble/nobae052.htm
(QURAN 52:24): "And there will go round boy-servants of theirs, to serve them as if they were preserved pearls."
Source: http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/quran/noble/nobae052.htm
(QURAN 55:54-59): "Reclining upon the couches lined with silk brocade, and the fruits of the Gardens will be near at hand. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny? Wherein will be those houris, restraining their glances upon their husbands, whom no man or jinn has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse before. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny? In beauty they are like rubies and coral. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny?"
Source: http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/quran/noble/nobae055.htm
(QURAN 55:70-77): "Therein gardens will be fair wives good and beautiful; Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny? Houris restrained in pavilions; Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny? Whom no man has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse before. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny? Reclining on green cushions and rich beautiful mattresses. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny?"
Source: http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/quran/noble/nobae055.htm
(QURAN 56:17): "They will be served by immortal boys."
Source: http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/quran/noble/nobae056.htm
The simple meaning underlying message to my extensive post is that Sikhism is a faith built on the pillars of faith, love, humility, altruism, compassion, benevolence, love, contentment and an unduanted desire to protect the righteous and uplift the downtrodden. the sikhs are very BLESSED to be the recipients of such a wonderful dharma. one should NOT simply term sikhism as "just another good religion" becuase it is much more than that.
I would like to earnestly apologize to any Sikh, Christian, Hindu or Muslim whose sentiments I have offended. I would like to especially apologize to the Sikhs for if I have in any manner misrepresented or insolently spoke of the Sikh Gurus and their teachings.
"I tell the word of truth that all may hear he who loves he alone has found the wondrous lord" Shree Guru Gobind Singh
"He who has been blessed by Guru Nanak Is lost in the Praises of the Lord. What could one teach those who have Divine Nanak as their Guru?" Shree Guru Angad Dev