The Golden Temple was founded by Muslim saint Mian Mir at the invitation of Guru Arjan Dev.
In an article, a writer from news publication Dawn intricately describes an unusual experience that gives an insight into the fabric of Sikhism, and how it mingled with other religions. Let’s look at it:
Hazrat Mian Mir
During a recent journey, the writer made a visit to the shrine of Hazrat Mian Mir, a well-known Sufi saint from the Qadariyyah Sufi order, located in Lahore. Mian Mir arrived in Lahore when he was 28 years old and remained there for the rest of his life. He embraced the philosophy of the "unity of existence." By the time of his death in 1635, he had earned respect from people of various social classes and religious backgrounds.
The saint's shrine is nestled in winding streets that bring to mind the words of poet T.S. Eliot, who described streets that "follow like a tedious argument."
Located in a crowded neighborhood, the shrine serves as a sanctuary for many impoverished individuals. It provides them with free shelter and offers meals every Thursday.
“Thursday evening is considered to be a mubarak day for Sufis,” explained Ghulam Fareed, a Qawwal vocalist. Fareed, along with other Qawwals, are regular visitors at the shrine. He sings here because he feels the act gives him a sense of belonging.
“This shrine has given us an identity,” he said.
Message of peace
Qawwali singers gather at this shrine to perform, not only as a means of earning a living but also with a deeper sense of purpose. Through conversations with these performers, it becomes clear that their art goes beyond mere entertainment or financial gain.
For these Qawwals, Sufi singing serves as a vehicle to spread the core messages of Sufi philosophy: unity and harmony. They take great pride in this role as messengers of these spiritual ideals.
Every Thursday, the shrine's courtyard comes alive with their performances. The audience, comprising both men and women, responds enthusiastically, clapping and swaying to the rhythmic music. Some men, overcome with emotion, dance ecstatically, while others join in singing. Many pay their respects to the saint by bowing before his final resting place.
The air is rich with sensory experiences. The fragrance of roses mingles with the aroma of locally-crafted incense. On these special days, generous offerings of sweets and various foods are shared among the gathered crowd, both inside and outside the shrine's walls.
Certain food items are unique to the Sufi shrines in Lahore, such as qatlaammay (desi pizza) and doodh badam (milk with almonds). These can also be found at the Mian Mir shrine. Outside the shrine, vendors gather to sell dahi baray, chaat, sharbat, and samosas to visitors
One visitor, Sakeena, who is 32 years old, shared her story. She said that she had been sick for two years and went to many doctors and hakeems, but no one could figure out what was wrong with her. She took medicines, but nothing helped. Then one day, her mother suggested her to go to the shrine and pray. Since then,she said that felt much better. “I believe that Aulia (friends of God) have the power to make things work for you,” she added.
The Mughal connection
Mughal royals and nobility often visited the shrine of Mian Mir. Local and British historians note that after Mian Mir’s death, Dara Shikoh, the son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, ordered the construction of a mausoleum. Dara Shikoh, who believed strongly in social harmony, was drawn to mysticism.
Dara Shikoh wrote several books on Sufism and a treatise on the sacred Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita. A book written by him, Sakinatul Aulia, is also a dedication to the life and works of Mian Mir.Dara Shikoh’s intellectual pursuits aimed to create a culture in the subcontinent where people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds could live together in harmony. This was as important in the 17th century as it is today.
Many modern historians believe that Dara Shikoh, the philosopher prince, was the true heir to Emperor Akbar’s legacy. Akbar’s belief in Sulh-e-Kul or “Peace with all” was similar to the Sufi philosophy. However, Dara Shikoh’s vision was cut short when he was killed by his younger brother Aurangzeb, a religious conservative, who imprisoned their father and took the Mughal throne.
Sufi-Sikh influence
Many Sikh pilgrims were present. While many were from Pakistan, some had travelled from India. Sikh pilgrims often visit the shrine during the birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak.
Curious about why Sikhs visit a Muslim saint’s shrine, a few of them were asked about their reasons. They explained that the shrine of Mian Mir holds special significance for Sikhs because of the historical connection between Mian Mir and Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. Mian Mir, a revered Sufi saint, laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple in Amritsar at the request of Guru Arjan Dev. This act symbolizes the deep respect and spiritual bond between the two faiths. Sikhs visit the shrine to honour this connection and to seek blessings, reflecting the shared values of peace and harmony promoted by both Sufism and Sikhism
“To us, Mian Mir sahib is as divine as the saints of Sikhism,” said Diljeet, who was visiting from Ferozepur in Punjab, India.
Sufis and gurus and the messages they brought transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, said Gursavek, another devotee. “They are beacons of light,” he added.
Friends across religions
Mian Mir was a symbol of unity, tolerance, and love throughout his life and beyond. Both Sufi and Sikh traditions tell us that this Muslim saint laid the foundation of the Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple.
Mian Mir is believed to have travelled from Lahore to Amritsar at the invitation of the fifth Sikh guru, Arjan Dev. The story goes that Guru Arjan Dev and Mian Mir had great respect for each other. They were both divine figures who shared a deep respect for humanity.
Sufis believe that the goal of human life is to realize the divinity within, regardless of caste, creed, or religion. Harmandir Sahib serves as a cultural hub for the people of Punjab, promoting self-actualization. It is also known as a gurudwar, meaning the lord’s door or the door of the guru.
The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikh faith, includes the works of renowned Sufis like Baba Fareed of the Chishtiyyah Sufi order. Today, the works of the popular Sikh poet Ravidas can be heard at the Mian Mir shrine, reminding us of the ties between the two faiths. The message is one of humanity and tolerance.
In times of chaos and war, places that stand as monuments to religious harmony bring peace to the heart, even if just for a little while.
*Based on an article by Taimur Shamil, published in Dawn.com on 1st March 2016