Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhi, is often misunderstood when it comes to his beliefs. Some people claim that he followed Islam, but this is not true. In fact, some Muslims, in an attempt to convert naive Sikhs, even claim that Guru Sahib was a Muslim and followed Islam. However, this is a misconception. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings, known as Gurbani, show that his only guide was God, not a human being. This alone sets him apart from other religious figures. Let’s look at why Sikhi, as taught by Guru Ji, cannot be considered a part of Islam.

First, the word “Guru” itself is not even used in Islam. In Sikhi, the Guru is not merely a spiritual teacher who guides people to God; the Guru is the embodiment of the Lord. Guru Ji taught that everyone is equal- men, women, and people of all backgrounds. This idea clashes with Islamic teachings that treat men and women differently. Guru Ji’s belief in equality was bold and clear.

Another big difference is how Guru Ji saw the universe. He spoke of millions of heavens, hells, solar systems, galaxies, skies, and earths. This is a vast and endless view of creation. In contrast, many Muslims believe there are only seven layers of sky above and below, making a total of fourteen. These two ideas don’t match.

Guru Ji also rejected practices that are important in Islam, like fasting, priesthood, and certain rituals. He didn’t see these as necessary to connect with God. Instead, he focused on a simple, direct relationship with the Divine. This rejection of Islamic practices shows that Guru Ji’s path was different.

The real proof of Guru Ji’s beliefs comes from his own words in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy scripture of Sikhs. In one verse, Guru Ji says:

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 is saying that rituals like fasting or reading the Islamic creed (Kalma) won’t lead to God. He even redefines the idea of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, by saying the real sacred place is inside a person’s heart and mind. This is a direct challenge to Islamic practices.

It’s true that some beliefs in Sikhi, like believing in one God (monotheism), might sound similar to Islam or Christianity. But just because two religions share a basic idea doesn’t mean they are the same. Christians believe in one God, but that doesn’t make them Muslims. In the same way, Sikhs aren’t Muslims just because they believe in one God.

In the end, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings stand on their own. His Bani is the highest authority for Sikhs, and it clearly shows he didn’t accept Islam. He offered a fresh, unique path focused on equality, inner faith, and a boundless view of the universe, a path that was different from Islam in every way.