Islam-Sikhism - Female Rights (REHAT MARYADA TO THE RESCUE)

Much has been said by surreptitious Sikh proselytisers about the status of women in Islaam in comparison to Sikhism. Accusations and allusions of unfair and unjust treatment of women in Islaam is rife with many Sikh websites, forums and discussions making bold statements that only Sikhism affords women true rights.

The aim of this section is to therefore examine this postulate and determine its veracity.

It is important to note that one will not be able to do justice to this subject by resorting to speculative hypotheses and innuendos. This is especially true when bearing in mind that Islam and Sikhism have a divine source reference from the One both affirm to be all-Knowledgeable and all-Wise.
Thus, it stands to reason that all proofs forwarded to support an argument should be derived from a source deemed to be inerrant as opposed to errant.
As Allaah states to the Jews and Christians:

It would be illogical for premises of an argument to be deduced from an imperfect errant source if a perfect inerrant source is available. As such, it is impossible to claim that a more sound argument will be produced from the limited/ errant reasoning as opposed to the unlimited/ inerrant reasoning.

Hence, we say that not only should people "look back to the original doctrine and see what has been said about them", but that it is a must for us to make direct recourse to the original doctrine when forwarding arguments as we endeavour to solve this altercation between Islam and Sikhism.

In light of this, we will show, insha'Allaah (God Willing), that what is championed as revolutionary rights for women in Sikhism are, in fact, nothing except exaggerations and empty boasts when critically examined and dissected. On the contrary, rather than affording women revolutionary rights, Sikhism is silent on many key issues integral in liberating women from oppression, discrimination and injustice.

"And among humankind is he who disputes about Allaah without knowledge, without guidance and without a Book of Enlightenment." (Qur'an 22:8)

We ask that you read through the material presented in this section with an unbiased open-mind; sincerely seeking only the truth from your Lord, and leave the rest to your Lord who has assured clarity and guidance for the sincere seeker of truth.

"And whomsoever Allaah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islaam; and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky. Thus Allaah puts the wrath on those who believe not.
And this is the path of your Lord (Islaam) leading straight. We have detailed Our Revelations for a people who take heed.
For them will be the home of peace (Paradise) with their Lord. And He will be their Protector because of what they used to do." (Qur'an 6:125-127)

Our contention is that true "holy men"; messengers; prophets; leaders; role-models; emissaries of God, were sent in order guide humankind towards the light of correct worship and humane conduct, not to stay silent in the midst of the darkness of evil, man-invented, socio-cultural mental and physical debilitating practices. Silence in the midst of evil and corruption is tantamount to injustice and in and of itself is a crime; this is not the characteristics of the people of God chosen to lead us from the "darkness into the light".

Indeed Allaah says about Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the Qur'an:

"(This is) a Book, the Verses of which are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge), and then explained in detail from the One Who is All-Wise Well-Acquainted.
(Saying): "Worship none but Allaah. Truly, I (Muhammad) am from Him to you a warner and a bringer of glad tidings." (Qur'an 11:1-2)

"And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur'an) as an exposition of everything - a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who believe (as Muslims).
Truly, Allaah enjoins Al-'Adl (complete justice) and Al-Ihsaan (all righteous deeds), and giving (help) to kith and kin. And He has forbidden Al-Fahshaa' (all evil deeds), and Al-Munkar (all prohibited matters), and Al-Baghy (all kinds of oppression). He admonishes you, that you may take heed." (Qur'an 16:89-90)

"Certainly, We have brought to them a Book (the Qur'ân) which We have explained in detail with knowledge, – a guidance and a mercy to a people who believe." (Qur'an 7:52)

"(This is) a Book which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness into the light by their Lord's Permission to the path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all praise." (Qur'an 14:1)

Hence, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was one who came with a complete comprehensive guidance as a "mercy" to humankind delineating glad-tidings of "truth living" and warnings, part of which of course was to forbid al-Fahshaa', al-Munkar, and al-Baghy.

"Whoever sees an evil, he must prevent it with his hand, and if he has no power for this action, then he should prevent it with his tongue, and if he cannot do this, then he should at least consider it a vice in his heart, and this is a very low level of one's faith." (Saheeh Muslim)

Moreover, Muhammad's (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) Creator encouraged him to see through the mission of completely disseminating the message to humankind:

"O Messenger! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you will not have conveyed His Message." (Qur'an 5:67)

The Most Merciful has intended ease for us and loves that we be guided; it is for this reason that he sent messengers and prophets with the truth in order to guide us towards the best way in life.

Furthermore, a very important understanding in this regard is how our Creator warned against remaining silent when evil is committed:

"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allaah as just witnesses; and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid establishing justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety; and fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Well-Acquainted with what you do." (Qur'an 5:8)

"Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of David and Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and were ever transgressing beyond bounds.
They never used to forbid one another from Al-Munkar (all prohibited matters) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do." (Qur'an 5:78-79)

"O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?" (Qur'an 3:71)

"Truly, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book; they are the ones cursed by Allaah and cursed by the cursers.
Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.
Truly, those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers, it is they on whom will be the combined Curse of Allaah, the angels and humankind.
They will abide therein (under the curse in Hell), their punishment will neither be lightened, nor will they be reprieved." (Qur'an 2.159-162)

"He who is asked something he knows and conceals it will have a bridle of fire put on him on the Day of Resurrection." [1]

The reason for this is that these people claimed to be recipients of the complete Truth; claimed to be enlightened ones from Allaah to guide humankind from the darkness into the light, but their actions spoke otherwise and were a proof against their erroneous boast.

Hence, what benefit is it for the astray ignorant masses, in desperate need of guidance and enlightenment, if these so-called messengers remained silent over issues that by necessity demanded condemnation.

"A single scholar of religion is more formidable against Satan than a thousand devout people." [2]

The reason of course is because these scholars have knowledge of right and wrong, good and evil, and as such elucidate to the people the correct path in life, making it clear and distinct from the man-invented errant paths.

If the ten Gurus truly were guidance for the people of Hindustan and beyond, why did they not speak out against certain evil practices, which were openly being practiced by the people, and lay down clear cut prohibitions to curtail the spread of immorality?

"And who is more unjust than he who invents a lie against Allaah, or says: 'Revelation has come to me' whereas no revelation has come to him in anything; and who says: 'I will reveal the like of what Allaah has revealed.' And if you could but see when the evil-doers are in the agonies of death, while the angels are stretching forth their hands (saying): 'Deliver your souls! This day you shall be recompensed with the torment of degradation because of what you used to utter against Allaah other than the truth. And you used to reject His proofs with disrespect!'" (Qur'an 6:93)

"But if they answer you not, then know that they only follow their own lusts. And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allaah? Verily, Allaah guides not the people who are evil-doers." (Qur'an 28:50)

Due to the absence of clear guidance and edicts concerning what is permissible and impermissible in Sikhism's Holy Scripture, the Sikh world was forced to render and formulate a customised 'code of conduct' providing guidelines for all Sikhs to follow.

"Exceed not the limits in your religion (by believing in something) other than the truth, and do not follow the vain desires of people who went astray before and who misled many, and strayed from the Right Path.'" (Qur'an 5:77)

A sub-committee of Sikh conduct conventions (rahureet) was set up with its terms of reference prescribed to consolidate the rules for the individual Sikh and the Sikh's Gurdwara (place of worship). The report was submitted on 1st October, 1932 by Teja Singh, convener of the committee. Various bodies of the Sikhs considered this report and suggested some amendments and finally the report was approved in the year 1945, that is, after about fourteen years' of its submission and was subsequently published by Shiromani Gurdwara Committee. (bold, underline ours) [3]

Yet these Rehat Maryada are nothing more than the opinions of simple minded people, limited in their scope and outlook of life, as Prof. A. Singh alludes to:

One is indeed impressed by the number of persons consulted and the dynamism of its compilers for whom the main consideration appears to have been to judge whether or not any particular traditions was in conformity with the general tenets of Sikhism. Consequently one finds some of the details of the Rahitnamas dropped from this code.
A fruitful result of this long and important work by the committee is that we have now a code comprising of thirty seven pages of text laying down general principles meant to guide the Sikhs in the performance of their organisational duties.
... The Sikh Rahit Maryada, which is the result of the above deliberations by the Sikhs themselves, by virtue of the above principle, occupies a highly respected place and validity in Sikhism.
This formulary, however, does not attempt to lay down all the detailed principles of the Sikh ethics for the obvious reason that its role is mostly explanatory and in the ultimate analysis the Adi Granth is the final and complete guide. (bold, underline ours) [4]

One firstly wonders why it took until the 20th century for such explanatory guidelines to be drawn up? And, more importantly, why it was needed at all when a "final and complete guide" already existed?
This is merely one example amongst many as to why Sikhism is a nonviable world solution due to the presence of such shortcomings committed by imperfect and limited minds.

"And We send down the Qur'an; in it is a cure and a mercy for those who believe; but as for the evil-doers, it increases them in nothing but loss/ruin." (Qur'an 17:82)

We further contend that this is not revelatory guidance from the all-Wise Creator, but rather a man-invented way of life that holds no solutions. Hence, we shall endeavour to show, insha'Allaah (God-Willing), that the claims made by Sikhs of affording women perfect rights are nothing but empty boasts and deluded exaggerations.

"Say: Have you any knowledge (proof) that you can produce before us? Verily, you follow nothing but conjecture and you do nothing but lie." (Qur'an 6:148)

[1] Sunan Abu Dawood, 3/3650
[2] Sunan at-Tirmidhee 217 and Sunan Ibn Majah
[3] A. Singh (1996, 3rd Ed.), Ethics of the Sikhs, (Punjabi University, Patiala), p.139.
[4] Ibid., pp.139-140.