Sikh Zone

The Sikh Rehat Maryada is a booklet of the Official Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions sanctioned by Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib, the Sikh Supreme Seat of Authority.

Rehat Nama:- A manual of conduct for the Khalsa. There are a number of them written by various Sikhs dating back to the eighteenth century.

After considering the Rehatnama’s of many great writers, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (S.G.P.C.) has produced a modern standard Rehatnama (code of conduct).The document produced has been accepted as the official version which provides the basic guidelines against which all Sikh individuals and communities around the world can measure themselves.

All contents are taken from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the sacred writings of the tenth guru, the work of Bhai Gurdas Ji and Bhai Nand Lal Ji and also from other great scholars. The Sikh Rehat Maryada is based on 37 Rehatnamas. Some of them are:-

1. Tanakhah-nama (Nasihat Nama) (1718-19 CE), 10 years after the death of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
2. Bhai Prahladh Singh Rehatnama
3. Sakhi Rehat ki: About 1735 CE
4. Bhai Chaupa Singh Rehatnama(1700 CE according to Piara Singh Padam)
5. Bhai Desa Singh Rehatnama: late 18th century.
6. Bhai Daya Singh Rehatnama

The Rehat Maryada is the only version authorized by Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (S.G.P.C.) was delegated the responsibility of publishing and implementing the Sikh Rehat Maryada in all Gurdwaras. Its implementation has successfully achieved a high level of uniformity in the religious and social practices of Sikhism. All Gurdwaras should follow the Sikh Rehat Maryada authorized by Sri Akaal Takht Sahib to ensure basic uniformity and unity within the Panth.

The following is a summary of the main issues covered by the Sikh Rehat Maryada :-

1. Sikh believes in the existence of one eternal God

2. Sikh will accept as their only spiritual guide as the Guru Granth Sahib and the ten human Gurus and follows their teachings

3. Believes in the baptism Amrit Sanchar as promoted by the tenth Guru and Punj Pyare

4. Sikh will never disrespect other religions.

5. Read Punj Bani, Meditation on God’s Name and the recital of the Holy Scriptures.

6. Doing honest work for leading life and earning and doing hard work

7. Doing sewa i.e. undertake free voluntary service within the community at Gurdwaras, community projects, hospitals, old peoples homes, nurseries

8. Sikh must be eat simple non-halal food in moderation and refrain from any food or drink that causes detriment to the body or mind like alcohol, drugs, tobacco.

9. Sikh will not take part in gambling or in any kind of dances which raise sex feelings.

10. Not make any relation before marriage, Apart from one’s wife (or husband) to treat all or females (or males) as daughters, sisters or mothers (sons, brothers or fathers) depending on their age.

11. Sikh will never believe in caste, genders, races, religions and always give equality to all.

12. Sikh will take part in sadh sanghat to learn.

13. Sikh will always doing ardaas and take hukam from guru before doing all ceremonies.

14. Maintain 5 Kakaars Kara, Kesh, Kangha, Kashehra and Kirpan

15. Self control from gambling, tobacco, alcohol

16. Newly born baby in Sikh family will be named by taking word from guru s hukam.

17. Sikh boy and girls should be married by anand karaj punj lava

18. Sikh must not demand for dowry in marriage

19. Sikh funerals will b done by sikh maryada

20. Sikh will never cut his hair from any part of body and this is same for ladies

22. Sikh will collect dus wand (charity money which earn from hard work) from his earnings to spend on community services

23. Sikh will give food and money to needed person because guru ji say gareeb da mooh guru ki golak (bank)

24. Sikh will hold strong character for leading good life

25. Sikh must be giving all equal rights to women

26. Sikh will practice kirtan at home and guru ghar

27. Sikh will believe in five takhats for pilgrimage

28. Sikh will respect and obey hukam come from Akal Takhat sahib

29. Sikh will take part in langar (food served in guru ghar or doing any religion caremony ) by giving contribution in it

30. Sikh will lead his life according to Guru Granth Sahib ji and Guru Panth .

April 1999, 300th Anniversary of the Khalsa (Baisakhi). Millions gathered in Anandpur Sahib, India to celebrate.

Different weapons before Siri Guru Granth Sahib

Bhai Sahib as accompanying Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, Bhai Sahib was boiled alive by Butcher Mughals.

A Sikh Woman Praying.