Short answer
Islam keeps your belief in one Creator and adds what God (﷾) Himself prescribed. You already believe in one unborn Creator, you honour all people alike, and you remember God (﷾) daily. Islam asks you to give up none of that. It adds worship as God (﷾) taught it: prayer, fasting, zakat and Hajj. It adds a law from revelation, one life, and a Day when your own record is read. It does ask one change at the root: to take your guidance from the Qur'an and the last Prophet (ﷺ). So the one question is whether the Qur'an is God's (﷾) final word, and it invites you to test it. A Muslim man need not cut the hair of his head in daily life, and Islam tells men to let the beard be. Islam is a whole way of life, from belief to worship to character.
Full explanation
What Sikhs hold dear
The Guru Granth Sahib is the scripture Sikhs honour as their living Guru. It opens with the Mul Mantar, the creed of Guru Nanak (Sikhs say Guru Nanak Dev Ji), who founded Sikhism (Sikhs also say Sikhi). The Mul Mantar names one Creator, immortal and unborn. The Bhagat Kabir was not one of the Gurus, but his hymns are in the Guru Granth Sahib. He writes that from the one Light the universe welled up, and asks who is good and who is bad. Sikhs read this as a call to treat all people alike. Macauliffe, whose English translation of the Sikh scriptures Oxford published in 1909, records the reply of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru. In the Guru's house, he said, religion and worldly life are joined: the cauldron feeds the poor and the sword answers oppressors. Sikh teachers call this miri-piri, the temporal and the spiritual together. Macauliffe also describes the Guru's day, with prayers at morning, twilight and night.
“There is but one God whose name is true, the Creator, devoid of fear and enmity, immortal, unborn, self-existent”
The Bhagat Kabir, whose hymns are in the Guru Granth Sahib and who was not one of the ten Gurus, writes that first Allah created the Light, and then by His creative power made all mortal beings. From the one Light the whole universe welled up, so who is good and who is bad?
“In the Guru's house religion and worldly enjoyment shall be combined—the caldron to supply the poor and needy and the scimitar to smite oppressors.”
In his account of the sixth Guru's day, Macauliffe says that Guru Hargobind rose before day, bathed, and went to the Har Mandar to worship. There he heard the Japji and the Asa ki War recited. At twilight the Sodar was read and all stood with clasped hands and offered a prayer to the Almighty. The Sohila was read before the Guru went to sleep.
What Islam keeps
Surat al-Ikhlas says that Allah (﷾) is One. Islam therefore keeps the belief at the heart of the Mul Mantar: one Creator, who is not born. The Qur'an also says that people were made into nations and tribes so that they may know each other. The most honoured of them in the sight of Allah (﷾) is the most righteous (49:13), so birth gives no rank. Islam joins faith and life, as Sikhs do. It calls believers to enter Islam whole-heartedly (2:208). One verse (2:177) puts several duties side by side. They are belief in Allah (﷾) and the Last Day, giving to kin, orphans and the needy, prayer, zakat and keeping promises. So Islam does not ask a Sikh to stop believing in one Creator, to stop treating people alike, or to stop remembering God (﷾). Islam does ask one change at the root. It asks you to take your guidance from the Qur'an and the last Prophet (ﷺ). It asks you to remember God (﷾) in the words He taught, rather than to take the Gurus' hymns as revelation. That is why the one question is whether the Qur'an is from God (﷾). The rest is set out below.
“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.”
“There is but one God whose name is true, the Creator, devoid of fear and enmity, immortal, unborn, self-existent”
“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”
“O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.”
“It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing.”
What Islam adds: worship as God (﷾) prescribed it
Islam does not leave the shape of worship to each age. The Qur'an commands the prayer and regular charity (2:43), the fast (2:183) and pilgrimage to the House for those who can make the journey (3:97). The Prophet (ﷺ) said that Islam is built on five (Bukhari 8). They are the testimony of faith, the prayer, zakat (the yearly alms on savings), Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca) and the fast of Ramadan. These are not empty forms. The Qur'an says that righteousness is not only turning your face to east or west, but belief, giving and prayer together (2:177). The Prophet (ﷺ) said that Allah (﷾) looks to hearts and deeds (Muslim 2564). Islam joins the inner and the outer, and takes the outer from God's (﷾) own command. The Qur'an also says that God (﷾) put the Prophet (ﷺ) on a right way of religion (45:18). It says that He has perfected the religion for you (5:3). That way covers worship, family, trade and conduct, and it comes from revelation.
“And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).”
“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-”
“In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.”
Ibn Umar reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said Islam is built on five: to bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish the prayer, to pay zakah, to perform the pilgrimage, and to fast the month of Ramadan.
“It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing.”
Abu Huraira reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: Allah does not look at your faces or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.
“Then We put thee on the (right) Way of Religion: so follow thou that (Way), and follow not the desires of those who know not.”
“This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
One life, then the Day
Islam teaches that this is the only life before the Day of Resurrection. The Qur'an says that each person's record is fastened to him and will be laid open on that Day (17:13-14). It says that whoever does an atom's weight of good or of evil will see it (99:7-8). It adds that every soul tastes death and that to Allah (﷾) we return (21:35). In Islam the one who did the deed is the one recompensed for it. The page on one life or many sets out what Sikhs teach about rebirth and Islam's reply.
“Every man's fate We have fastened on his own neck: On the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open. (It will be said to him:) "Read thine (own) record: Sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee."”
“Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.”
“Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us must ye return.”
The last messenger, and a book you can test
Islam holds that God's (﷾) guidance was completed with the Qur'an. It asks nobody to take this on trust. The Qur'an invites the doubter to produce a sura (chapter) like it (2:23) and to look for discrepancy in it (4:82). If the Qur'an is from God (﷾), then its word that Muhammad (ﷺ) is the Seal of the Prophets (33:40) is His word. Islam does not judge the Gurus' hearts. The page on whether God (﷾) spoke through the Sikh Gurus sets out the test step by step.
“And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.”
“Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other Than Allah, they would surely have found therein Much discrepancy.”
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.”
Hair, turban and beard
Many Sikh men fear that Islam would cost them their kesh (uncut hair) and their turban. Islam does not ask a man to cut the hair of his head in daily life. Anas reports that the hair of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to hang down to his shoulders (Bukhari 5903). A report from Amr ibn Huraith says the Prophet (ﷺ) addressed the people wearing a black turban (Muslim 1359a). The Prophet (ﷺ) told men to trim the moustache and let the beard be (Bukhari 5893). So Islam does ask men to trim the moustache, and it does not keep kesh as a vow. Pilgrims at Hajj and Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) do shave or shorten their hair. The Qur'an speaks of pilgrims entering the Sacred Mosque with heads shaved or hair cut short (48:27). Islam does not keep the five articles of the Khalsa (the order of initiated Sikhs) as articles of faith. It asks for no comb, steel bracelet, undergarment or sword.
Anas reports that the hair of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to hang down to his shoulders.
Ja'far ibn Amr ibn Huraith reports from his father, Amr ibn Huraith, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) addressed the people wearing a black turban.
Ibn Umar reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: trim the moustaches closely and let the beard be.
“Truly did Allah fulfil the vision for His Messenger: ye shall enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, with minds secure, heads shaved, hair cut short, and without fear. For He knew what ye knew not, and He granted, besides this, a speedy victory.”
Feeding others, and family
Sikhs prize langar, the free kitchen open to all, and seva, selfless service. Islam has its own command to feed. The Qur'an praises those who feed the poor, the orphan and the captive for the love of Allah (﷾) alone, wanting no reward or thanks (76:8-9). The Prophet (ﷺ) named feeding people among the best qualities of Islam (Bukhari 12), and zakat is one of the five pillars. On family, the Qur'an joins kindness to parents to the worship of God (﷾) and forbids even a word of contempt to them (17:23-24). The Prophet (ﷺ) told a man that his mother had the first claim on his good company. He named his mother three times, then his father (Bukhari 5971). The page on how Muslims treat their parents gives more.
“And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive,- (Saying),"We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.”
Abdullah ibn Amr reports that a man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) which qualities of Islam are best. He answered: to feed people, and to greet with peace both those you know and those you do not know.
“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood."”
Abu Huraira reports that a man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) who most deserves his good company. The Prophet said: your mother. The man asked three more times who came next, and the answer was your mother, then your mother, and then your father.
Guru Nanak on women
At Ang 473, in Asa ki Var, Guru Nanak asks why one should call her bad, when kings are born of her. An Ang is a page of the standard 1,430-page edition of the Guru Granth Sahib. Macauliffe presents the slok, a short verse, as Guru Nanak's rebuke to a man who spoke ill of women.
“Why call her bad from whom are born kings?”
Women in Islam
Islam also honours women, and the Qur'an speaks to men and women together. It lists the believing, the devout, the truthful, the patient, the charitable and those who fast, men and women alike. For all of them it promises forgiveness and great reward (33:35). It says that God (﷾) will not let the work of any of them be lost, male or female (3:195). The page "Does Islam oppress women?" takes up dress, inheritance and law.
“For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise,- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.”
“And their Lord hath accepted of them, and answered them: "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female: Ye are members, one of another: Those who have left their homes, or been driven out therefrom, or suffered harm in My Cause, or fought or been slain,- verily, I will blot out from them their iniquities, and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath;- A reward from the presence of Allah, and from His presence is the best of rewards."”
Islam's answer: goodness is the start
Sikhism and Islam begin from the same Creator. The question is where the road goes from there. Being good is the start, not the end. The Qur'an says that man is in loss, except those who believe, do righteous deeds, and urge one another to truth and patience (103:1-3). It says that every soul returns to Allah (21:35). Islam is a whole way of life: belief, worship, law, family and character together. The page called What is Islam? shows it whole. The page on following the religion you were born into takes up family and tradition. Islam asks you to read the Qur'an in a translation you trust and to test it. Then ask whether Muhammad (ﷺ) is the last prophet God (﷾) sent (33:40).
“By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.”
“Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us must ye return.”
“And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.”
“O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.”
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.”
Six fears and replies
Macauliffe, The Sikh Religion, vol. 4, p. 4 — Life of Guru Har Gobind, his reply to Bhai Budha
“In the Guru's house religion and worldly enjoyment shall be combined—the caldron to supply the poor and needy and the scimitar to smite oppressors.”
Cited for
Sikhi is already a complete way of life. Guru Hargobind joined religion and worldly life in the Guru's house, and the Khalsa lives it.
The response
Islam grants this. Islam too joins worship and daily life. It calls believers to enter it whole-heartedly (2:208), and one verse joins faith, giving, prayer and keeping promises (2:177). The difference is what shapes the whole. Islam holds that God (﷾) Himself prescribed its worship (2:43; 2:183; 3:97) and its law (45:18). It also holds that there is one life and then the Day (17:13-14).
Where it lands — Both say their way is from God (﷾). Which claim is true is the one question, and the Qur'an asks to be tested.
Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 724 — Raga Tilang, Guru Arjan
“Why should they who adore Thee day and night go to hell?”
Cited for
I can be a good Sikh and a good person. Guru Arjan asks why those who adore God day and night should go to hell.
The response
It is a fair question. Only Allah (﷾) sees the heart (Muslim 2564), so Islam leaves the heart to Him, and it does not call the good Sikh bad. It says goodness is the start. The Qur'an joins belief and righteous deeds (103:1-3). It says that to Allah (﷾) every soul returns (21:35). It teaches that none is punished until a message has reached him (17:15). Once the message has reached a person, what he does with it is what he will be asked about. Islam asks you to weigh the message that has reached you.
Where it lands — Being good is the start. The question is whether the message of the Qur'an is true, and Islam asks you to test it.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5903 — Kitab al-Libas (Book of Dress), hadith 5903
Anas reports that the hair of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to hang down to his shoulders.
Cited for
If I became Muslim I would have to cut my hair and take off my turban.
The response
Islam does not ask a man to cut the hair of his head in daily life. The hair of the Prophet (ﷺ) hung to his shoulders (Bukhari 5903), and he wore a turban (Muslim 1359a). He told men to trim the moustache and let the beard be (Bukhari 5893). Pilgrims shave or shorten their hair at Hajj and Umrah (48:27). Islam does not keep kesh as a vow, and it does not keep the Khalsa's articles of faith as articles of faith.
Where it lands — A Muslim man may keep the hair of his head long and wear a turban. He trims the moustache and, at Hajj and Umrah, shaves or shortens his hair.
Macauliffe, The Sikh Religion, vol. 4, p. 4 — Life of Guru Har Gobind, his reply to Bhai Budha
“In the Guru's house religion and worldly enjoyment shall be combined—the caldron to supply the poor and needy and the scimitar to smite oppressors.”
Cited for
Langar and seva are the heart of Sikh life. The cauldron feeds the poor. Islam has nothing like it.
The response
Islam has its own command to feed. The Qur'an praises those who feed the poor, the orphan and the captive for the love of Allah (﷾) alone, without wanting thanks (76:8-9). The Prophet (ﷺ) named feeding people among the best qualities of Islam (Bukhari 12), and zakat is one of the five pillars.
Where it lands — Feeding others for God's (﷾) sake is a duty of worship in Islam, and a Sikh can bring that love of service with him.
Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 473 — Raga Asa, Asa ki Var, Guru Nanak
“Why call her bad from whom are born kings?”
Cited for
Guru Nanak honours women: why call her bad from whom kings are born? Does Islam?
The response
Yes. The Qur'an names men and women together and promises them the same forgiveness and great reward (33:35). It says that God (﷾) will not let the work of any of them be lost, male or female (3:195). The page "Does Islam oppress women?" takes up dress, inheritance and law.
Where it lands — The honour of women is common ground, and the Qur'an gives men and women the same reward.
Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1349 — Raga Prabhati, the Bhagat Kabir
The Bhagat Kabir, whose hymns are in the Guru Granth Sahib and who was not one of the ten Gurus, writes that first Allah created the Light, and then by His creative power made all mortal beings. From the one Light the whole universe welled up, so who is good and who is bad?
Cited for
The Gurus teach that all people come from one Light and none is high or low. Islam divides people into believers and others.
The response
Islam does not rank people by birth. Before Allah (﷾) the most honoured is the most righteous (49:13), and Allah (﷾) alone weighs that. So faith and deeds decide, and no one may be despised for his birth. Muslims are allowed to deal kindly and justly with those who do not fight them over faith (60:8). Islam does ask you to weigh whether the Qur'an is God's (﷾) word.
Where it lands — On birth the Qur'an agrees: it ranks no one by birth, race or tribe, and the most honoured with Allah (﷾) is the most righteous (49:13). What it asks beyond this is to test its claim.
Perspectives
Sikh: Sikhi is already a whole way of life
Sikhs hold that the Gurus give them one Creator, equality of all people, and a life that joins worship with worldly duty. They also hold that Sikhi honours women and shows the sincere worshipper a path. So why look elsewhere?
Guru Hargobind said that in the Guru's house religion and worldly life are combined (miri-piri). So Sikhi already joins belief, worship and daily life.
Rebuttal
Granted that Sikhi joins worship and worldly life. Islam too joins worship and daily life (2:208; 2:177). The difference is the source: Islam holds that God (﷾) Himself prescribed the worship and the law (2:43; 45:18).
The Bhagat Kabir asks from the one Light who is good and who is bad, and the Gurus teach that all people are alike. Islam divides people.
Rebuttal
Islam does not divide people by birth. The Qur'an says the most honoured with Allah (﷾) is the most righteous (49:13). Faith and conduct decide, not family or tribe.
Guru Nanak asks why one should call a woman bad, when kings are born of her (Ang 473). So Sikhi honours women.
Rebuttal
The honour is real, and Islam honours women too. The Qur'an promises men and women the same forgiveness and great reward (33:35), and says the work of none is lost (3:195).
Guru Arjan asks why those who adore God day and night should go to hell (Ang 724). A good Sikh needs nothing more.
Rebuttal
It is a fair question. Only Allah (﷾) sees the heart (Muslim 2564), so Muslims judge no one's heart. Goodness is the start: the Qur'an joins belief and good deeds (103:1-3). No one is punished before a message reaches him (17:15). But once it has, his answer to it counts.
The Islamic perspective
Islam keeps what is true in what a Sikh holds: one Creator, all people alike, a life that joins worship and conduct, honour for women, and feeding the needy. Then it adds more. Worship as God (﷾) prescribed it. A law from revelation. One life, and the Day of Judgement. And the last messenger, with a book anyone can test. Belief, worship, law, family and character make one way of life.
Surat al-Ikhlas and the Mul Mantar both describe one Creator who is not born. So Islam asks no Sikh to give up belief in one Creator.
The most honoured with Allah (﷾) is the most righteous, so birth, family and tribe give no rank.
Islam is a whole way of life. It calls believers to enter it whole-heartedly, and joins belief, giving, prayer and promises in one verse.
Worship in Islam is as God (﷾) prescribed it: the prayer and charity, the fast and the pilgrimage. Islam is built on five pillars.
Islam joins the inner and the outer. Righteousness is belief, giving and prayer together. And Allah (﷾) looks to hearts and deeds.
The way of religion, with its law, comes from revelation, and God (﷾) has perfected it.
Islam teaches one life before the Day, when each person's own record is opened.
The Qur'an invites everyone to test it. The tests are to produce a sura like it and to look for discrepancy. It calls Muhammad (ﷺ) the Seal of the Prophets.
Islam does not ask a man to cut the hair of his head in daily life. The Prophet (ﷺ) wore his hair to his shoulders, and wore a turban. He told men to trim the moustache and let the beard be. Pilgrims shave or shorten their hair at Hajj and Umrah.
Islam commands feeding the poor, the orphan and the captive for God's (﷾) sake, and kindness to parents.
The Qur'an promises men and women the same reward and says the work of none is lost.
Goodness is the start, not the end. The Qur'an joins belief with good deeds, and every soul returns to Allah (﷾).