Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first human form of the Eternal Guru on earth through whom Sikhi was revealed as a clear and distinct path, is often misunderstood in relation to his beliefs. Some claim that he followed Islam, but this is a misconception. In fact, certain groups have attempted to portray Guru Sahib as a Muslim in order to mislead Sikhs. However, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings, preserved in Gurbani, make it clear that his only guide was the Divine, not any human authority. This alone sets him apart from other religious figures and traditions.

First, the very concept of “Guru” is absent in Islam. In Sikhi, the Guru is not merely a spiritual teacher but the embodiment of the Divine Light. Guru Ji taught that all people are equal — men and women, rich and poor, people of every background. This principle of equality stands in sharp contrast to Islamic teachings that differentiate between men and women. Guru Ji’s vision of equality was bold, revolutionary, and timeless.

Another profound difference lies in Guru Ji’s view of the universe. He spoke of countless heavens, hells, solar systems, galaxies, skies, and earths — a vast and boundless creation. In contrast, Islamic cosmology often speaks of only seven layers of sky above and below, making fourteen in total. Guru Ji’s expansive vision of creation transcends such limitations.

Guru Ji also rejected practices central to Islam, such as ritual fasting, priesthood, and prescribed ceremonies. He emphasized instead a direct, inner relationship with the Divine. This rejection of ritualism highlights that Guru Ji’s path was distinct and independent.

The clearest proof of Guru Ji’s teachings comes from his own words in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the eternal scripture of Sikhs:

ਰੋਜਾ ਧਰੈ ਨਿਵਾਜ ਗੁਜਾਰੈ ਕਲਮਾ ਭਿਸਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥
ਸਤਰਿ ਕਾਬਾ ਘਟ ਹੀ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਜੇ ਕਰਿ ਜਾਨੈ ਕੋਈ ॥੨॥
“Keeping your fasts, reciting your prayers, and reading the Kalma, the Islamic creed, shall not take you to paradise. The Temple of Mecca is hidden within your mind, if you only knew it.”
(Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 480)

Here, Guru Ji teaches that external rituals — fasting, prayers, or reciting creeds — cannot lead one to God. He redefines the pilgrimage to Mecca, explaining that the true sacred place lies within the human heart and mind. This is a direct challenge to ritualistic practices and a clear affirmation of Sikhi’s unique path.

It is true that Sikhi shares certain ideas with other religions, such as belief in one God. But similarity in one principle does not make two faiths identical. Christians believe in one God, yet they are not Muslims. In the same way, Sikhs are not Muslims simply because they affirm monotheism.

In the end, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings stand entirely on their own. His Bani (the revealed Sacred Word) is the highest authority for Sikhs, and it clearly shows that he did not accept Islam. He offered a fresh, unique path rooted in equality, inner devotion, and a boundless vision of the universe — a path distinct from Islam in every way.