While returning to Punjab from Delhi, Shri…
While returning to Punjab from Delhi, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji stayed in the town of Panipat. During those days, a famous Sufi fakir named Sheikh Sharaf resided there. This Sheikh lived at the shrine of his ancestor, Fakir Bu Ali Qalandar, also known as Sheikh Sarafuddin, and performed worship there along with his disciples. Among the general public, he was reputed as a perfect fakir, and people from distant places came to the shrine to seek blessings and make wishes.
One day, Sheikh Sharaf's disciple, Sheikh Tattihari, went to the water well to fetch water. There, he saw a large crowd gathered, listening to Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s kirtan with deep concentration and devotion. He became so engrossed in listening to the kirtan that he forgot about fetching water.
Compared to this divine singing, the qawwalis sung at the shrine seemed dull to him. He thought that if Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited the shrine, it would enhance the spiritual influence of the place. Therefore, after the kirtan ended, he met Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
He respectfully greeted Guru Nanak Dev Ji, saying: “Salam-e-Laikum.”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji replied: “Salam-Alek.”
The disciple was surprised and asked, “What is the meaning of Salam-Alek?”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji answered: “You greeted us with Salam-e-Laikum, which means ‘May peace be upon you.’ But we replied with ‘Salam-Alek,’ meaning ‘May Allah grant you peace,’ because only Allah alone can bestow peace.”
Sheikh Tattihari then returned with the water and told his master, Sheikh Sharaf, about Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He persuaded him to meet the Guru.
Sheikh Sharaf asked Guru Nanak Dev Ji many questions and said: “Why do you keep long hair, whereas most ascetics shave their heads?”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji replied: “I have renounced materialism, not family life. I am a worldly person. In reality, hair is a symbol of beauty and a wonderful gift of nature. If human beings had no hair, they would look unattractive. Mustaches represent masculinity, bravery, and valor. The beard symbolizes divine qualities. According to the laws of nature, beards and mustaches grow only in men after reaching adulthood, not in women. We should understand this mystery of nature and follow it accordingly.”
At Sheikh Sharaf’s request, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited his shrine, where his ancestors’ tombs were located. However, Guru Nanak Dev Ji strongly objected to the worship of tombs and said:
“Those who worship the dead in blind faith do not attain any spiritual reward, and their efforts go in vain. Worship should be directed only toward the formless, divine light, toward Allah, not towards any specific individual. This is also a fundamental principle of Islam, and it is your duty to uphold it.”
Sheikh Sharaf acknowledged his mistake and said: “Please guide me so that I may attain salvation.”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji then resolved his doubts regarding Shari’ah, Tariqat, and Ma’rifat and said:
“You are a detached and renunciated dervish. However, one must not be hasty in renunciation, for ‘What ripens gradually is always sweet.’ You need immense patience. The path to divine realization is the path of natural spiritual progress. Nothing is achieved through stubbornness or impatience.”
Sheikh Sharaf then said: “Guru Nanak Dev Ji, please establish some principles for me so that I may receive divine grace.”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji said: “Renounce duality, raise your voice against oppression and tyranny, adopt humility, and free yourself from the bondage of all karma. You will attain liberation.”
Sheikh Sharaf was satisfied with this guidance.