In the previous blog, we saw that Qazi Ruknuddin asked Guru Nanak Dev Ji a question: if God is one, then why are there multiple religious scriptures (Torah, Zabur, Injil, and Quran)? In response, Guru Nanak Dev Ji explained that just as the four elements—earth, water, air, and fire—form the human body, in the same way these four scriptures guide a person toward spiritual completeness, and all of them contain the divine command. Thus, Guru Ji clarified that God is one, and His commands are also the same.
Now let us move forward. Qazi Ruknuddin says to Guru Nanak Dev Ji:
The Prophet is the greatest and most supreme.………….
He presents his question as follows:
Qazi Ruknuddin claims, “O Nanak Ji! It is written in the Quran that Muhammad Mustafa is a special and the highest among Muslims. He is the shadow of the Pure God, and there is no one like him. He is a holy Messenger, distinct from all others, whose greatness is unmatched. The Prophet possesses a divine (luminous) form, and his status will remain established until the Day of Judgment. Ruknuddin further says that the era of Judgment has come into the world, and the Prophet has proclaimed the sacred Kalma. Those who believe in him, that is, his followers (Ummah), will attain paradise (Jannah).”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj’s Response
If we divide the question into two smaller parts, then its first claim is as follows:
It is written in the Quran that Muhammad Mustafa is a special and the highest among Muslims. He is the shadow of the Pure God, and there is no one like him. He is a holy Messenger, distinct from all others, whose greatness is unmatched. The Prophet has a divine (luminous) form, and his status will remain established until the Day of Judgment.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji explains to Ruknuddin that God is one divine light, and there is no one like Him. Human beings are made of dust, and without God’s grace, they are nothing. If God’s mercy is not there, a person is completely humble and helpless. Guru Ji teaches that only the Name of God remains eternal, whereas the human body will one day return to dust. Therefore, the true purpose of human life is to remember God (Allah) and live in His remembrance. Many have praised Muhammad, but in the end, all departed in sorrow. In this world, no human body remains forever.
And the second claim is presented by Qazi Ji in this way:
That the time of Judgment has come into the world, and the Prophet has proclaimed the sacred Kalma. Those who believe in him, that is, his followers (Ummah), will attain paradise (Jannah).
Guru Ji explains it in this way:
Guru Nanak Dev Ji explains that people have remained limited to merely reading and understanding, while the world is surrounded by impurity. The fire of hell burns within the soul itself. A dead person burns in this fire and calls out to the dust—meaning the soul calls out to the body so that it may return and remember the Name of God. The fire that exists within the heart is what is called hell.
Worldly worship is like hell, just as false deeds are like fire. They may keep the body clean outwardly, but they do not remove the inner impurity. Guru Nanak Dev Ji further teaches that there is no path to true actions except through sincere devotion.
The four scriptures are one in essence and should all be accepted as the command of God. O Qazi! Let these four principles dwell in the hearts of all. First, become righteous; second, practice and teach good deeds; third, purify your intentions and discern between lawful and unlawful; fourth, see this world as temporary and let go of the fear of birth and death. In this way, by becoming truly righteous, you can guide even those burning in the fire of hell toward the right path. All castes and religions arise from the same divine light of God. God is one; there is no other.।
Nanak Ji declares this truth and asks Ruknuddin to listen to the true answer.
Guru Ji says that if you remember God in all directions, you will be blessed. God has created human beings and this vast universe. He is eternal and the Master of all spiritual guides. Within His creation are countless worlds, and innumerable beings come and go. This universe is vast, and no one knows its end. The sun and the moon are like the eyes of a human; without them, nothing can be seen. Nanak Ji explains this with wisdom (bibek).
Just as the eyes cannot see without light, in the same way, without true understanding (bibek), a person cannot realize the truth or understand God.
Guru Ji says that in this world, the natural process that brings about day and night—through movements in the sky (such as the Earth and the moon)—continues continuously. Within this, souls pass through 8.4 million life forms, wandering in the cycle of birth and death. This vast universe bows before God, but only those saints and fakirs who humbly bow in all directions can truly know Him.
God’s court is eternal, and His center is one. O Ruknuddin! If you realize the One God within all, you too will become steadfast.
A person, driven by desires and evil tendencies of the mind, makes countless oaths, yet remains inwardly distressed because of their actions and, day after day, faces disgrace before the court of Judgment due to their deeds.
Look at the Torah, Injil, Zabur, and the Quran—these are the four sacred scriptures. Even if you read the Quran, false oaths taken upon any scripture are not accepted. Therefore, one’s way of life should lead toward the pure path of God.
If a person takes an oath on the Quran but still acts wrongly for worldly gain, it is false; such people ultimately suffer as if burning in fire—in other words, even after death, their souls endure suffering. This is also affirmed in the teachings of the Prophet.
Teachings of Guru Nanak 