Guru Nanak Dev Ji founded the Sikh religion in 14th century. It is a monotheist religion and believes in one God and through Guru's grace he can be obtained. The word Guru in Sikh religion means Gu is darkness and ru is light, so Guru enlightens the spirit. What makes it different is it's enlighten philosophy, Guru's never told to worship them, there teachings were simply to merge a human soul with God, as the tenth Sikh Guru referred in his writing that the intention of God to send him is to let people be aware that there is just one God, the saints and prophets before him instead of merging them to God they told masses to worship them and they are the way to God, but contrary to this Guru's removed the middle person and created a direct link between God and man.
The Guru's believed that this life has a purpose and a goal. It offers an opportunity for self and God realization. More over man is responsible for his own actions. He cannot claim immunity from the results of his actions. He must therefore be very vigilant in what he does.
The advent of Guru Nanak in 1469 came at a time of socio-political necessity. India had fallen on evil days. There was no security of life and property.
Guru Nanak rang the alarm-bell and saved masses from fake religions. Religion then was either by form of ritual or hypocrisy. He released people from the rut of formalism and the parrot-like repetition of scriptures. Guru Nanak challenged the division of men into classes, castes and communities. For him, all men were equally worthy of respect.
According to Guru Nanak, there was darkness and chaos for millions of years. There were mists and clouds. None existed except God. Guru Nanak says: God existed all alone in his abstract form - Nirgun - before. He created the Universe. This may be called the state of procreation. God was in the state of sunn samadhi (state of pre-creation), state of contemplation of the void.
"There was darkness for countless years. There was neither earth nor sky, there was only his will. There was neither day nor night, neither Sun nor Moon. He (God) was in deep meditation. There was nothing except himself." (A.G., PG 1035)
The Universe is not an illusion. It is reality, not final and permanent but a reality on account of the presence of God in it. Then God willed the creation of the universe. He became manifest: Sargun. He diffused himself in nature. Guru Nanak says: "Thou created all thy Universe to please thyself, to enjoy the spectacle, the reality, which is the light of thy own self."
As a first step, Guru Nanak defines God and sums up his attributes. The goal of human life is for a union with the divine being, often called salvation or Nirvana. This is achievable through self-surrender and a submission to God's Hukam (order). God is manifest in his creation. Nature obeys his law, like-wise we too, must obey divine law. Guru Nanak stressed the uniqueness of each individual and wanted him to progress through a process of self-discipline. The discipline was three-fold: physical, moral and spiritual. The physical discipline included acts of service and charity, while leading a householder's life, the moral discipline included righteous living and rising above selfish desires, the spiritual discipline included the belief in only the One Supreme Being, (the Timeless Almighty) and the exclusion of the Pantheon of gods and goddesses, in whom they had formerly believed. The Gurus brought a course of discipline to their Sikhs that lasted for a period of nearly 230 years till the creation of the Khalsa "Sikh", the ideal man of tenth Guru.
God made man in his own image. He put his divine spark in man, which is called "The Soul". The soul enters bodily forms according to individual's actions. The wall of ego separates the soul from God. This leads to the cycle of birth and death. Metempsychosis can only be ended through meditation or the acquisition of divine grace.
According to the teachings of Sikh Guru's in their writings, man is a focal point in the universe, he is the apex of creation, the final stage. Human life is the starting point for God-realization. Just as the body is sustained by food and drink, in the same way the soul is nourished by virtue and devotion. When the soul progresses with the performance of good deeds and the remembrance of the Name, it becomes more worthy of a merger to divinity You cannot own salvation as an animal or stone. Only human life, offers this grand opportunity for spiritual attainment.
Each prophet has given some light and message to the world. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and his nine successors made a distinct contribution to religion and religious thought. Sikhism may be distinguished from other religions from three standpoints: philosophy, community or institution and physical appearance.
From the philosophical standpoint, the contribution of Sikhism may be called Nam Marg (way). Guru Nanak emphasized the need for man's devotion to the timeless almighty. He illustrates the attributes of God in his Mul-Muntra (important magic words). He asks man to dedicate himself, day and night to the remembrance of God and his Name.
How can a devotee merge with divinity? Guru Nanak suggests that in the early hours of the morning the devotee should meditate on "His Name" and praise his Greatness. The disciple must follow the Guru's word. Those who have firm faith in "The Name" not only free themselves from the cycle of birth and death but also liberate others. Creation is in the play of God. Some people are busy in good works, while others are busy in crime and sin. Action is followed by reaction. As what you sow, so shall you reap?
Just as dirty clothes are cleaned by soap, in the same way, "The Name of Lord" washes away evil. God is vast and so is his universe. No Religious leaders can ever fathom his greatness. He has created millions of worlds and stars. No one can visualize his infinity. He alone knows himself. He guides and controls the universe and all things are under his law. The conquest of one's ego under the control of the "self " is the only way to merge the individual soul into the Universal soul.
God does not need man's flattery or praise. God does not insist that we worship him. Guru Nanak says: "If all people start praising him, it will not make the least difference to his greatness." Just as the sun does not need light of the lamps so in the same way, God does not need the praises of people.
As far as physical appearence is concern,Sikhism believes in discipline. Guru Gobind Singh gave the Sikh a new appearance and administered them the baptism of the Sword(Amrit). He infused in them a spirit of fearlessness and a belief in there own invincibility and told them to maintain the five symbols*, each begins with the letter K. (*symbols are: Kesh (Hair), Kirpan (Sword), Katchara (Underpants), Kanga (Comb), Kara (Bracelet)
The Gurus asked their followers to regard themselves as a servants of the Congregation (Sangat). The tenth Guru, after administering his Amrit (baptism) to the five chosen ones, asked them on bent knees and with folded hands, to administer Amrit (baptism) to him. In the entire human history, there is no other case of a Guru kneeling before his followers.
Guru emphasized that God is not a Dictator. People worship him as a sense of duty, Dharma and contemplating in thy name reminds love, compassion and kindness. They are convinced that God who made this universe can be known and loved. Those who know his nature and qualities are wonder-struck by his greatness. In their ecstasy, they exclaim "Waheguru", Wonderful Lord.