Life of Ahmad — Page 460
GURU NANAK WAS A MUSLIM as 460 aside the dress of a faqir (p. 584). . . The circumstances which led to the entire reversal of the project, and produced between Muhammadans and Sikhs the deadliest of feuds, does not come within the purview of the present article. It is enough to state that the process was gradual, and was as much due to political causes as to a steady departure from the teachings of the founder of Sikhism' (p. 591). In the face of all these facts it would not be easy to contend that Nanak was not a Muslim or that 'the religion of Nanak was really intended as a compromise between Hinduism and Muhammadanism. ' He believed in the Unity of God and subscribed to the whole of the Islamic creed which he preached wherever he went. He offered the Muslim prayers and carried out practically all the other ordinances of Islam. He associated with Muslims, he greeted with the Muslim greeting and clothed himself with the Muslim dress. What else was necessary for him to become a Muslim? He was no doubt a Muslim of the first order; in fact, a saint and a holy personage. He combined in himself the best of all religions; because, as a Muslim, he walked in the footsteps of all the true Prophets of God. But he made no compromise. On the other hand he openly exposed the errors of the people of his time and exhorted all, by precept and example, to live pure and righteous lives.