Gurdwara Sri Charan Kamal Sahib Jalandhar

Location - Basti Sheikh, Jalandhar City, Punjab, India

Associated with - Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji

Sikh Artifacts - None

Sarovar - None

Sarai - None

Jalandhar is a city in the State of Punjab. The oldest city in Punjab and one of the oldest in the country, Jalandhar has seen rapid urbanization and developed into a highly industrialised centre of commercial activity in recent years.

Jalandhar was the capital of Punjab from India's independence (1947) until Chandigarh was built in 1953. The city was known as Jullundur in British India.

Jalandhar is said to have derived its name from the vernacular term 'Jalandhar' which means 'area inside water', ie. tract lying between the two rivers Satluj and Beas.

There are two Historic Sikh Gurdwaras in Jalandhar city.

Gurdwara Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Jalandhar

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji visited this place after the Battle of Kartarpur.

Guru Ji came here from village Athola and stayed for 3 days. During this time Guru Ji received an invitation from Sheikh Darvesh to meet him in private.

Gurdwara Sri Charan Kamal Sahib Jalandhar

Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, accepting the request of Sheikh Darvesh, visited this place where Gurdwara Sri Charan Kamal Sahib Jalandhar is now located.

Sheikh Darvesh was of the Sufi Shadiliya tariqa (brotherhood). The Sufis whose brotherhoods embraced mysticism and sought to build a bridge between the religions of India and Islam.

At the place where Sri Bhora Sahib is situated, Guru Sahib had a discussion with the Sheikh. The Sheikh knowing that the mughal authorities might question him concerning his meeting with the Guru is said to have taken the time to put on a blindfold, during the meeting, so that he could 'honestly' swear that he had never laid eyes on the Sikh Guru.

Al-Takeyya

Perhaps the Sheikh was scared of mughal authorities, his decision to find an excuse draws similarities to the Shia practise of Al-Takeyya. Christians would call this the sin of omission, others might call it a white lie or survival.

'Takeyya' or 'Taqiyya' is an Arabic word, means 'to prevent', or guard against. The principle of Al-Takeyya is a form of Islamic dissimulation or a legal dispensation whereby a believing individual can deny his faith or commit otherwise illegal or blasphemous acts while they are in fear or at risk of significant persecution.

This practice is emphasized in Shia Islam whereby adherents are permitted to conceal their religion when under threat of persecution or compulsion. However, it is also permitted in Sunni Islam under certain circumstances.

Al-Takeyya is based on -
"Let not the believers take for friends or helpers unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution (prevention), that ye may Guard yourselves from them (prevent them from harming you). But Allah cautions you (to remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah." Surah 3:28

Actions that are said to be acceptable:
Drinking of wine, abandoning prayers, and skiping fasting during Ramadan.
Renounce believing in Allah.
Kneeling in homage to a deity other than Allah.
Swearing insincere oaths.

While this behaviour is acceptable to muslims it is not acceptable to Sikhs. Historically Sikhs could have avoided much pain and suffering by following such a principle but Sikhs believe in Waheguru, as essentially being the Truth, which means that telling such lies (and denying Sikhi) would been seen as a fate worse than death.

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