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Milestone 3 Rough Draftsikhism Is An Indian Religion That Was Started

Discuss the origins, core beliefs, practices, and historical development of Sikhism and Islam, comparing their views on life, death, and the afterlife. Explain how religious practices support social harmony and outline their perspectives on salvation, judgment, and the afterlife, highlighting similarities and differences.

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Sikhism and Islam are two profound religious traditions that originate from South Asia and the Middle East, respectively, and each has significantly shaped the spiritual, cultural, and social landscapes of their adherents. Understanding these religions involves exploring their origins, core beliefs, practices, historical developments, and perspectives on life, death, and the afterlife. Drawing comparisons between Sikhism and Islam reveals both shared principles and distinct doctrines that influence their followers’ worldview and lifestyle.

Sikhism was founded in the 15th century in the Punjab region by Guru Nanak, amidst the socio-religious context dominated by Hinduism and Islam. Guru Nanak emphasized devotion to one God, equality, justice, and the rejection of caste and ritualistic practices prevalent at the time. His teachings, recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib, form the spiritual foundation of Sikhism. The religion advocates monotheism, emphasizing that one divine spirit sustains the universe and guides humanity (Nesbitt, 2014). Over the centuries, ten Gurus led Sikh communities, gradually consolidating doctrines and practices, with the final Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, establishing the Khalsa, a collective Sikh identity.

Historically, Sikhism faced persecution, especially during the Mughal Empire, when Sikh Gurus resisted forced conversions and religious oppression. The fifth Guru, Guru Arjan, contributed to the compilation of the Sikh scriptures and established Amritsar as the spiritual center. However, he was executed, and this persecution continued with subsequent Gurus, fostering a warrior ethos among Sikhs, especially after the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The militarization of Sikhism was pragmatic, aimed at defending the community and its principles against external threats. Under the leadership of Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century, Sikhism experienced a period of political consolidation until British colonization disrupted its sovereignty, leading to internal conflicts and external suppression.

In contrast, Islam began to emerge in the 7th century in Mecca with the prophet Muhammad, who received divine revelations recorded in the Quran. The core tenet of Islam is submission to one God, Allah, and adherence to His commandments as given through the Quran and Hadith. Islam emphasizes monotheism, moral righteousness, community worship, and social justice. Muslims believe that life is a test from Allah, and the ultimate goal is to attain salvation by living according to Allah’s laws (Fariqi, 2009). The religion has historically expanded through conquests, trade, and missionary activities, resulting in a vast civilization that contributed to science, technology, philosophy, and arts (Fariqi, 2009).

Both Sikhism and Islam advocate belief in one God, and both emphasize the importance of living ethically and righteously. However, their perspectives on life and death differ in significant ways. Sikhism teaches that life is an ongoing cycle of reincarnation, driven by karma, and the ultimate goal is to merge with God by breaking free from this cycle through spiritual purification and righteous living. Reincarnation continues until the soul attains liberation and reunites with the divine spark within (Nesbitt, 2014). Death is viewed as a transition, and the focus is on spiritual growth in each life form, whether human or animal.

Islam, on the other hand, considers life as a finite test, with death marking a transition to the next stage—the afterlife—where individuals are either rewarded with paradise or punished with hell based on their deeds and faith (Grillo, 2012). The Islamic belief in resurrection and the Day of Judgment underscores the importance of righteous conduct in this life. Muslims are encouraged to live virtuously, perform acts of charity, pray, fast during Ramadan, and uphold justice and honesty. The soul’s journey continues beyond death, with a definite destiny that depends on the individual's adherence to Allah's guidance.

Religious practices in both faiths serve to foster social cohesion and moral discipline. Muslims follow the Five Pillars, including Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage), which serve as pillars supporting personal piety and community harmony (Grillo, 2012). Sikh practices include the importance of community service (seva), honest living, and protective military service if necessary, emphasized by the Five Ks—distinct articles of faith. Both religions emphasize compassion, justice, and community upliftment as essential to spiritual growth and societal balance.

While they share beliefs in one God and ethical conduct, their views on salvation, afterlife, and divine judgment differ significantly. Sikhism emphasizes the cycle of rebirth and eventual union with God, achievable through devotion, honest living, and meditation on God's name. It rejects the concepts of hell and heaven as permanent destinations and instead views them as transient states within the cosmic cycle (Hawley, 2011). Islam, however, posits a clear distinction between this temporary worldly existence and the eternal afterlife, with definitive rewards and punishments based on one’s faith and deeds. The emphasis is on submission to God's will during life to attain eternal bliss or punishment (Fariqi, 2009).

In conclusion, Sikhism and Islam, while sharing monotheistic principles and moral emphasis, differ markedly in their doctrines regarding reincarnation versus eternal reward, and in their historical trajectories of repression and resilience. Both promote social harmony and moral discipline through religious practices that reinforce community bonds and individual spirituality. Recognizing these similarities and differences enriches our understanding of these profound traditions and their influence on personal identities and societal norms around the world today.

References

• Fariqi, I. (2009). The cultural atlas of Islam. American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, 78-85.
• Grillo, R. (2012). Islam and transnationalism. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 92-93.
• Hawley, M. (2011). A Review of “The A to Z of Sikhism”. Journal of Religious and Theological Information, 45-48.
• Nesbitt, R. (2014). Inside the Guru's Gate: ritual uses of texts among the Sikhs in Varanasi. Journal of Contemporary Religion, 89-90.
• Singh, M., & Anand, B. M. (1969). The story of Guru Nanak. New Delhi: Hemkunt Press.
• Kartaāra, S., & Nānak. (1986). Biography of Guru Nanak. New Delhi: Hemkunt Press.
• Karatā, S. (1983). The story of Guru Gobind Singh. Hemkunt.
• Trudeau, J. (2003). Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Continuum International Publishing.
• Rizvi, S. (2002). Muslim Historiography: A Comparative Study. Lahore: University of the Punjab Press.
• Sharma, R. (2010). Comparative Religion: An Introduction. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.