Blind Inequality

By: Bijla Singh

Foundation of Sikhi is laid upon justice, equality and love for the entire humanity. Guru Sahib saw no difference between a man and a woman in terms of spiritual progress and religious way of life. He, therefore, established that both must have equal rights and opportunities to become one with Waheguru. Such advanced and divine message is a hard truth for Muslims to bear since it condemns the Quranic message of inequality. Muslims claim that equality between both sexes is impossible to be practiced and not realistic and to prove their point they have written a futile article “Blind Equality”. It is unfortunate that their ability to comprehend the message of Sikhi is still beyond the level of intellect. We shall, therefore, not only refute their article but show them the true path of Sikhi and explain the divine revolutionary message.

Understanding True Equality

First we must explain what equality is based on in Sikhi. When Guru Nanak Sahib appeared in this world, the society was divided on the lines of superiority. Hindus were further divided into caste system. Hindu Brahmins considered themselves superior to lower caste. Muslims considered themselves superior because they belonged to the ruling class. Women were being subjugated and oppressed by both Muslims and Hindus alike. They were being prevented from practicing religion by banning them from going to religious temples and mosques. Whereas Muslims considered women as unintelligent, impure due to menstruation and a sex toy, Hindu saints and holy men considered women the real barrier between men and salvation. Women were cursed by both and the humiliation and degradation they were forced to face is unspeakable. The entire social structure was divided between physical differences and none realized the truth.

During those turmoil times, Guru Sahib revealed the divine message and preached that Waheguru has created both men and women and His light resides within everyone. One cannot be treated as inferior or less equal because He sees all as His children and loves everyone equally.

O people, O Siblings of Destiny, do not wander deluded by doubt.
The Creation is in the Creator, and the Creator is in the Creation, totally pervading and permeating all places ||1||Pause|| The clay is the same, but the Fashioner has fashioned it in various ways. There is nothing wrong with the pot of clay - there is nothing wrong with the Potter ||2|| The One True Lord abides in all; by His making, everything is made. (Ang 1349)

Recognize the Lord's Light within all, and do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter. (Ang 349)

“In all beings is he himself pervasive, Himself pervades all forms Male and Female.” (Ang 605)

Guru Sahib preached no two Individuals are similar in all respects but physical structure of a body does not put one closer to God or makes one superior over the other which is why Sikhi does not consider physical differences as a barrier to achieve salvation. Equality means equal opportunity and rights to all irrespective of gender, race, color, creed etc to reach Waheguru. Structure of a human body is mute in Sikhi since achieving salvation stands on the pillars of Naam (meditation), seva (selfless service) and spiritual enlightenment. Word “woman” is used symbolically in Gurbani to represent the disciple walking no the path of salvation which means Sikhi considers every soul (regardless of sex) as the bride of Lord Husband.

“Whatever the Lord does, accept that as good; do away with your own cleverness and self-will. By His Love, true wealth is obtained; link your consciousness to His lotus feet. As your Husband Lord directs, so you must act; surrender your body and mind to Him, and apply this perfume to yourself. So speaks the happy soul-bride, O sister; in this way, the Husband Lord is obtained. ||3||” (Ang 722)

“The red-robed woman becomes a happy soul-bride, only when she accepts the True Name…O Nanak, what is the character of the happy soul-bride? Within her, is Truth; her face is bright and radiant, and she is absorbed in her Lord and Master. ||1||” (Ang 785)

“There is one Husband Lord, and all are His brides.” (Ang 929)

Thus, according to Sikh ideology, all men and women possess equal status. All human beings, regardless of gender, caste, race, or birth, are judged only by their deeds. This is why Sikhi is a universal way of life and for the entire humankind. Unlike Islam and other religions Sikhi does not discriminate over physical differences. It gives equal opportunities to everyone. Guru Sahib went beyond the physical differences which He acknowledged but opposed to be the cause of men’s superiority over women. Therefore, equality in Sikhi means equal opportunity to women and is not based on the notion that both are physically the same.

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