Page 5 - Gurmat Book 6

Lesson 2: Principles of Sikhism- Shaheedi

What Does Shaheedi Mean?

The word ‘Shahid’ comes from an Arabic word “šahīd” that

means a martyr. A Shahid is someone who attains Shahidi.

Shahidi or Shaheedi is a word used in Punjabi which simply

means "martyrdom". In the Sikh faith, the concept of martyrdom

is quite prominent. "It is the man and his cause that make him

martyr.” said Narain Singh. Life is given for the cause regardless

of the form of torture, but the just cause is not compromised

or surrendered.

Shaheedi is a result of the struggle between evil and the Saint

Soldier for good who has accepted the Bhana with grace. The

torture and killing is done by the oppressor while the martyr

stands firm. Death is the inevitable consequence of the struggle

between good and evil.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji are the most

revered Shaheeds. Both Gurus opposed oppression and bigotry.

Bigotry is intolerance toward those who hold different opinions

from oneself. In both cases, a saintly soul confronted the evil

of bigotry to uphold the principle of religious freedom of own

faith and that of another.

Sikh History and Gurmat Sikhia Book 6 Page 3