Arm yourself with knowledge.

The of God is within and can be discovered by meditation on Naam. It is because of this very ignorance caused by ego that there is pain and “evil”.

There is no rival power to God as in Islam's Satan. How can there be any power opposed to God? Sikhi doesn’t believe that Waheguru created some “evil force” (Satan) that misled Adam and Eve to eat an apple and then took over hell. This is pure nonsense as it implies that Satan (created by Waheguru) could not be controlled or destroyed and became so powerful that Waheguru Himself was unable to liberate His creation (hell) from Satan.

What was creation created from? All that existed was God so what is the source of creation? It has to be God. God’s light is in creation and is why it functions. It is God’s power and his presence in creation that is the source of the miracle of the Universe where everything is in such order.

What is pure and what impure? To God nothing is pure and nothing is impure. Animal excreta are used for burning when dried, and as manure it is spread over fields, which is absorbed by the plants whose fruits and crops we eat. Once we eat this, we excrete this back out. So God’s cycle is the nitrogen cycle as you read in science. We breathe nitrogen, excrete nitrogen, and that nitrogen goes into the soil, which goes into the plants and those plants we eat again. So what is excrement and what is impure? If you think excreta are impure then you shouldn’t eat crops, fruits or even drink water, which is full of animals and organisms’ excreta. For a Sikh the source is God and everything merges back in God.

If Allah created earth then did he not create everything that exists in the earth including excreta, tobacco and wine which is considered haram (unlawful) in Islam on earth but this haram is given as a reward in paradise? As explained before, God created a balance and nothing exists without His will.

Sikhism is given a clear "Theo-democratic" system of law. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Master, in his farsightedness knew that not all crimes are the same and thus no one punishment can be given for them all: does the thief who steals bread due to hunger receive same punishment as one who steals a car due to greed? No! Thus Guru jee said:

"The Khalsa is my true form, I abide within the Khalsa"

Guru Ji gave power to decide these things to the Khalsa in the form of the Panj Piaaray (5 initiated selected Sikhs). The Panj Piaaray look at each case and then give a case-by-case decision. There are no blanket amputations for everyone as some religions may prescribe. There are rehitnaamas and tankhaahnaamas (edicts and codes of conduct) dictated by Guru Gobind Singh ji that clearly outline what is right and what is wrong. For example, adultery is a 'bujjar kurehat', a cardinal sin, for which a Sikh is excommunicated from the Panth (community) and if they wish to become a member of the Panth again, they must then present themselves before the Panj Piaaray to be re-initiated and given corrective measures.

Even beyond the rehitnaamas and tankhaahnamas, there is the concept of Miri-Piri: temporal and spiritual aspects to Gurmat, i.e. a theo-political system. Guru Hargobind Sahib ji gave us the Sikh parliament of Sri Akaal Takhat. The Sarbat Khalsa (entire Khalsa) is the parliament and the motions passed are called "Gurmattas". A system of passing gurmattas is carried out by consulting Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and then voting on each motion. The Five Takhats are the Centres of Sikh power with the main headquarter being Sri Akaal Takhat. The Five Jathehdars (representatives) are the "cabinet" of the Panth and organise the Panth's movement. The Jathehdaar of Sri Akaal Takhat (Amritsar) has power as spokesperson of the Panth. Akaalee Baba Phoola Singh, for example, was Jathehdaar during Maharaja Ranjeet Singh's time and gave him punishment of a fine and a caning due to his adultery.

Thus it is clear that Sikhism does have a law in Rehitnaamas and tankhaahnaamas along with the Rehit (code of discipline), which is given during Amrit Sanchaar (initiation ceremonies). Local decisions are to be taken by Panj Piaaray, which can be appealed to the Takhats, and Sri Akaal Takhat takes final decisions. The collective Sikh parliament is Sarbat Khalsa and motions are called Gurmattas.

• How much tax should I pay in a Sikh State, as a Non-Sikh?

Sikhs do not believe in a Jaiziya system like the Muslims where non-Sikhs must pay to ensure their protection. This question therefore is moot. The taxation system in a Sikh state is the same for non-Sikhs and Sikhs.

• What is the ruling in Sikhism regarding testimony in a court?

A Sikh is to always speak the truth. Unlike in Islam (where the testimony of one man is equal to a testimony of four women, also look up the phrase al-Taqiyaa which gives Muslims a blanket cover to lie), a man’s testimony is equal to a woman’s testimony

• What is the ruling in Sikhism regarding the sentence for stealing?

Depends on the nature of the crime and how it was committed and why. The answer is given by the Panj Pyaaray based on each case. This is a stark contrast to default amputations of limbs.

• What is the ruling in Sikhism regarding the age of maturity?

Each person matures at a different rate. If there is a need to determine this, the question is brought to the Panj Pyaaray.

• What is the ruling in Sikhism regarding my relations with my neighbour?

Sikhism teaches to treat all humans with kindness and compassion be they your neighbour or anyone else.

• What is the ruling in Sikhism regarding how I should treat an animal?

Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee teaches, “Show kindness and mercy to all life and realize that the Lord is pervading everywhere; this is the way of life of the enlightened soul, the supreme swan. ||7||” (Ang 508)

• What is the ruling in Sikhism regarding lawful earnings?

Sikhs are taught to earn their living through honesty without infringing on the rights of anyone else. One of the fundamental principles of Sikhism is “kirat karo” or to earn an honest living. Eating food earned through cheating is equal to eating the carcass of a dead animal (Ang 15). Furthermore, earnings should be shared with others and the Sikh system of Dasvandh or 10% of all income being donated is mandatory on all believers. “Through hard work make your earnings and eat, and also give something to others from your hand. Such a person has found the true path” (Ang 1245).

• What is the ruling in Sikhism regarding killing a non-Sikh and the punishment for that?

Each case is presented before the Panj Pyaaray and based on the merits of the case a ruling is given.

• What is the ruling in Sikhism regarding riding a horse?

What need would there be for a “ruling” on such a trivial issue? Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee is concerned with the salvation of the soul and light of God. God has blessed humans with common sense and intellect. Riding horses etc. are mundane issues that simple human intellect can resolve.

• What is the ruling in Sikhism if I use a nuclear weapon?

What is the Islamic ruling? This is a plainly foolish question.

As you can see, Sikhism is a complete and rational way of life. Each situation is judged on its merits as opposed to blanket amputations for crimes like theft.

This is an interesting comment coming from the Muslims. Have Muslim wars been for anything different? Muslim conflicts today in Kashmir, Chechnya, Palestine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq are all based on nothing but land, nation and resources.

As mentioned before, Sikh struggles are governed by the Sri Akal Takhat Sahib through the institutions of Gurmata passed by the Sarbat Khalsa. This has been the system in the past. Demanding that Panjab’s resources be controlled by Panjab and the elimination of those who are killing innocent civilians does not seem unjust. You are correct however that bombing of civilian targets is condemned by Sikhs. On the other hand Muslims in the name of Allah are infamous for committing suicide bombings and killing innocent men, women and children for the Islamic cause. If people professing the Sikh faith do such things they are wrong and to be held accountable. The Guru has taught a Sikh to use violence at the last resort when all other means have failed and even that situation the rights and life of the weak, oppressed and innocent should be guarded at all costs regardless of gender or faith. A Sikh defends himself, his nation and the weak – A Sikh never instigates attack as in Islam in pursuit for wealth, women slaves and spreading the faith by the sword.

Gurbaani is the infallible word of God, within which there are no contradictions. Humans can make mistakes when interpreting, translating or understanding Gurbaani, however the Guru and God are Perfect.

“Everyone makes mistakes; only the Guru and the Creator are infallible.” (Ang 61)

The Mool Mantar, the first verse of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee describes God. It states God is “ajoonee” (unborn) and “saibhuv” (self-existent). The Mool Mantr is the yardstick of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee and is the foundation of Sikhi. Mool Mantar also states that "God always was, always is and always wil be." So the question of "how can God create Himself" never arises for He has always been.

One should be careful when reading translations and understand that some words are difficult to translate to another language and sometimes the exact word is difficult to find. Therefore, it is best if one reads the original script in Gurmukhi.

The Shabad (hymn) on Ang 463 says:

“Pauree: The Almighty Himself fashioned the world and Himself assumed His Name. Secondly, He fashioned the creation; seated within the creation, He beholds it with delight. You Yourself are the Giver and the Creator; by Your Pleasure, You bestow Your Mercy. You are the Knower of all; You give life, and take it away again with a word. Seated within the creation, You behold it with delight. ||1||” (Ang 463)

According to Gurbani God has always existed and uncreated:

“He cannot be established, He cannot be created.” (Ang 2)

When in Gurbaani it refers to “creating Himself” or “fashioning Himself” it means that God Himself manifested Himself from His Nirgun (invisible) form, whichever forever existed, to his Sargun (visible) form.