In the previous blog, we discussed the conversation between Guru Nanak Sahib and Jeevan, who worked as a cleaner in Mecca. In that dialogue, Guru Nanak provided deep insight into the question, “Who is a true Muslim and who is a true Hindu?” He explained that the true essence of both lies in pure conduct, inner cleanliness, and a direct connection with the Divine. Following this profound exchange, Qazi Rukn-ud-Din posed another serious question to Guru Nanak Sahib.
His first question was:
“Why do you not follow this path that we walk? Is this not the true way?”
The full question was as follows:
“O Nanak, listen — we recite the Kalma, we fast, and we offer namaz five times a day. We believe in Allah and accept Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the Prophet and Messenger. This is the true path. The one who recites the Kalma is a dervish. It is written in the holy book that those who recite the pure Kalma are saved from the fire of hell. Those who fast and perform prayers enter paradise. Disbelievers burn forever in the fires of hell. On the Day of Judgment, only those who remain firm in faith will be saved. Therefore, O Nanak, you too should recite the Kalma and accept the faith. Why do you not follow this path?”
To this, Nanak Shah gave a noble response:
Guru Nanak Sahib replied to Qazi Rukn-ud-Din with great humility and clarity: “O Qazi Rukn-ud-Din, Nanak speaks the truth to you — only those whose faith is true and pure can reach the divine court. First and foremost is the Name of God. Many prophets and messengers have come here. O Rukn-ud-Din, only when one’s intentions are pure can they hope to be accepted in the court of the Divine. Without God’s will, not even a speck can happen. Secondly, the Lord has created this entire cosmos and displayed infinite forms and colors. His grace is boundless — in the millions, in the billions, beyond count. Nanak says: the value of the Master cannot be measured — He is unfathomable and infinite.
God, by His divine command, created Adam and Eve — symbolic of the origin of humanity. These two beings (man and woman) were formed according to the laws of nature. Then, through His creative power, He brought forth the earth and countless other living beings. According to the Abrahamic religions, the first two human beings are believed to be Adam and Eve. In my view, Adam symbolizes earth and Eve represents air — together, they are two essential aspects of God’s creation that reflect the completeness of life.
Many luminous, prophet-like figures similar to Muhammad have appeared. Nanak says: upon witnessing the true form of nature, all ego disappears. There is no end to the Divine court — no boundary, no limit. God created countless layers and creations — vast and innumerable. The court is one, God is one — pure and true. He created a second nature and then became indifferent to it — meaning, He does not intervene or take sides. He is unattached, unchanging, and impartial. The true lover is God Himself — there is no other beloved. But people have made certain aspects of God’s creation (nature, beings, forms) their objects of devotion or love. No one has truly seen the Master — all are lost in His creation. Yet no one can reach the end of God’s creation — people continue to wander endlessly, stumbling through life.
Thousands of prophets have come and gone — all ultimately returned to dust. But from that very dust, countless others were created again. In the divine court of God, there are countless Muhammads, countless Brahmas, Vishnus, Shivas, and Rams — all existing in different forms and along various paths. There are ascetics, saints, yogis, Gorakh Nath and his countless disciples. The thrones of many gurus and their followers reside there, where they perform spiritual remembrance. Deities, demons, pirs, prophets, saints, qazis, mullahs, and sheikhs — all are present there. Yet none of them attained true peace unless they accepted the guidance of the True Guru. There are countless renunciates and siddhas, but many remain impure because they have not reflected on the word of the Guru. Above all these naths (masters), there is only one Supreme Nath — the Satnam, the Creator — whose value, according to Nanak, no one can truly comprehend. He is infinite, beyond count, and without price.
Thousands of yogis, saints, and spiritual leaders have, for ages, been striving to find God. There are thousands of worlds, skies, and countless beings and settlements. In countless forms, divine incarnations have appeared — as Kurma, Matsya, Narasimha, Vamana, and more. God has shown His divine light in countless ways and has been recognized by many names. Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Kalki — these are just a few of the infinite manifestations. All come and go as per the divine command — yet the Creator remains apart and unaffected. So many incarnations have taken place, so many communities have claimed themselves to be unique — but none have ever reached the end of the Divine. Thousands of pirs, prophets, saints, and mystics have come — yet even now, they stand waiting for the vision of God. Nanak says: the true King is only One, higher than all. Eternal, master of nature, and completely indifferent to worldly affairs.
Even Brahma cannot fully understand the truth of the Divine, even though the four Vedas are said to have emerged from his mouth. Many avatars like Vishnu and Krishna came to earth by God’s command. Innumerable gods, goddesses, and figures from the Puranas stand humbly in His court. Despite their powers, they bow and perish, but the True Lord remains ever-forgiving. The four holy books — Qur’an, Torah, Bible, and Zabur — have been studied, and the four Vedas have been recited. All the mysteries of the nine continents have been explored. But still, God is only one — yet Hindus and Muslims have walked separate paths. They clung to their own claims and religious pride, fought and died over them, but did not grasp the essential truth of the Divine. Nanak says: the one who lets go of these religious claims is the one who spreads goodness in the world. Such a person holds neither special attachment nor hatred toward anyone — they remain even-minded toward all.
Guru Nanak Sahib says: O Qazi Rukn-ud-Din, listen closely to the true answer. God’s commands are written in scriptures, but those destined for the fire of hell must endure it. Those who purify their hearts, actions, and lives — they are worthy of paradise. Those who die with true faith are eternal and do not return to rebirth. Nanak says: Rukn-ud-Din, recognize the true Kalma, because the soul is a divine trust. If it remains in true faith, it abides in the will of God. Muslims call Him Allah, Hindus call Him Ram — both have given the One God different names. But when people cling only to their side and declare their way to be the sole truth, the influence of ego and evil takes over. Hindus believe their idol is sacred, Muslims place their faith in the Kalma — but ultimately, the judgment comes through actions, because all are made of dust. God has created everyone — whether Arab or non-Arab means nothing. He alone creates and destroys, He alone is eternal, true, the master of nature, and detached.
Nanak says: God is One; all other paths are man-made. A hundred and twenty-five thousand prophets came, each walked their own path, but the truth remains that God is One — there is no second. The concept of ‘another’ was only created by God to test human beings. Nanak says: if there is someone of the lowest caste, and even lives lower than that — Nanak says, I wish to dwell among them. There is no value in competing with the great; where there is humility, there begins the grace of God.
The whole world is caught in the play of day and night. The angels of death bear witness to good and bad deeds, and judgment is passed according to one’s actions — some draw near, others are cast far. Those who, recognizing the divine will, strive hard and make their lives worthy — Nanak says — their faces will shine bright, and many others will be liberated through them.
In this way, Guru Nanak Sahib gave Qazi Rukn-ud-Din a clear, complete, and spiritual answer: to reach God, one does not need to follow a particular religion or tradition, but must hold true faith, humility, righteous deeds, and an understanding of divine will. Guru Nanak Ji’s teachings make us realize that the essence of religion does not lie in names or rituals, but in human conduct, inner purity, and the principles of oneness. He redirects our attention from external claims toward the inner truth and the divine command. Through this answer, Guru Ji is not only addressing Qazi but speaking to all of society: the true path is not one particular route — rather, God’s will, love, equality, and righteous action is the true way.
Now, Qazi Rukn-ud-Din poses another question… — We will continue this dialogue in the next blog.
Teachings of Guru Nanak 
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