After traveling for a few days from Bikaner,…

After traveling for a few days from Bikaner, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji reached Ajmer. There, the famous shrine of Pir Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is located, which is revered as Khwaja Sahib’s Dargah and where many people come to offer their prayers and make vows. Upon arriving, Guru Ji started the divine flow of kirtan (devotional singing). The devotees visiting the dargah, upon hearing Guru Ji’s bani (sacred hymns), were deeply moved. Soon, the crowd that had gathered to listen to the qawwalis at the dargah was drawn towards Guru Ji. As a result, the dargah became deserted, whereas a large congregation (sangat) began forming around Guru Ji.

Seeing this, the caretakers (mujavirs) of the dargah became anxious and started to argue with Guru Ji. However, witnessing the immense faith of the people in Guru Ji, they could not say anything. At that moment, Guru Ji was reciting:

"Dhig tin ka jeevia ji likh likh vechahi nau. Kheti jin ki ujadai khalvade kia thau. Sache sarme bahare age lahahi na daad." (Raag Saarang, Ang 1245)

In these lines, Guru Ji said, "O so-called religious authorities, you are writing the name of Allah and selling it in the form of amulets. Those who deceive people for livelihood eventually destroy their own good deeds. When the fields of good actions are ruined, how can one expect any harvest in the granary? Therefore, all actions should be performed with wisdom so that efforts do not go in vain."

Hearing Guru Ji’s philosophy, the mujavirs said, "How can it be possible that we do not attain salvation? We follow the Sharia and perform all five religious duties—Kalma (faith), Namaz (prayer), Roza (fasting), Zakat (charity), and Hajj (pilgrimage).”

In response, Guru Ji said, "You perform all these actions with your body, but your mind is not truly engaged in them. If you truly want to be called a Muslim, then adopt this way:"

**"Mihar masiti sidak musla hak halal Quran. Saram sunnati seel roza hohu Musalman.

Karni kaba sach peer kalma karam niwaj. Tasbi sa tis bhavsi Nanak rakhai laaj."** (Raag Maajh, Ang 140)

Meaning: "Make compassion your mosque, sincerity your prayer mat, and honest earnings your Quran. Let restraint be your circumcision and good conduct your fasting. This is how, O servant of Allah, you should become a true Muslim. Let noble actions be your Kaaba, and let truthfulness be your spiritual guide. Let good deeds be your Kalma and prayer. That which pleases the Almighty should be your rosary beads. O Nanak, the Almighty preserves the honor of such a true Muslim."

After hearing Guru Ji’s definition of a true Muslim, some intellectuals from the gathering were deeply influenced. They raised their voices against the hypocrisy and superstitions of the mujavirs, due to which some of them came into Guru Ji’s shelter and pleaded, "We are mere faqirs; please do not expose our faults, as it is through these practices that we earn our livelihood."

Guru Ji then explained to them the true characteristics of a faqir (spiritual ascetic), saying, "If this is what you desire, then adopt the true qualities of a faqir in your conduct."