The main religious place of the Sikhs is situated in the city of Amritsar. It is called Harimandir Sahib, meaning a temple of God. It has four doors to welcome everyone. It is also known as the Golden Temple because it is covered with gold. The fifth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Arjan Dev ji, built Harmandir Sahib and its foundation stone was laid by a Muslim saint named Sai Mian Meer.
Sai Mian Meer was a very wise and learned man. He was respected by kings and common man and Hindus and Muslims alike. Even though he was held in high esteem by the emperor of the country, he led a very simple life. He lived in a mud house and wore simple clothes. His only possessions in his house were an earthen pot in which he kept drinking water and a rough cloth on which he sat. But his reputation had spread far and wide. He could impress everyone with his eloquence and prowess.
It is said that once the Mughal Emperor Jehangir came to visit Sai Mian Meer. He listened to the discourse of Sai ji. He was so impressed by his teachings that he decided to renounce his kingdom and live like a fakeer for the rest of his life. But Sai ji asked him not to do so. He told him that he should live a simple life like that of a fakeer being the emperor. He should serve the poor and stand against any type of injustice.
Sai Mian Meer’s method of teaching was very dramatic but it got results too. Once the King of Balakh came to visit Sai ji with all his princely pomp and show. Sai ji refused to see him. The king pondered on this and thought that maybe Sai ji didn’t like him showing off his wealth. The next day he went to see the saint without his ministers and soldiers in tow. But he was still in his princely robes. Sai ji still refused to see him. Then the king came to meet Sai ji dressed in normal, common clothes. Sai ji met him and handed him two bags and asked him to go and beg for food in the city. The King had a really tough time begging. After all he was the ruler of Balakh and people came to him begging for things. When he returned, Sai Mian Meer asked him what was in the two bags. The king replied that there was food from the Muslim houses in one bag and food from the Hindu houses in the other. Sai ji again gave him two bags and told him to go beg for food. Upon his return Sai ji asked him what was in the two bags and he replied, “Food.”
Now Sai ji explained to him, “When you first came to see me, you came as a king and the second time you came as a rich man. You were proud of your wealth and wanted everyone to know how rich you are. But this wealth is yours because God willed it to be yours. This is the house of the Almighty and in front of him no one is rich or poor, or a prince or a pauper. When you first went to beg, you differentiated among the Hindus and the Muslims. You didn’t realize that the food that each one of us eats is bestowed on us by God. Each one of us is His child and he doesn’t differentiate among us on the basis of wealth, religion, caste, creed or color. Now you are above these things and will be able to become a better king. You should always remember that a king’s job is not to rule over his subjects but to serve them.”
Sai Mian Meer believed in the brotherhood of all the human beings. This was the reason that Guru Arjan Dev ji chose Sai ji to lay the foundation stone of Harmandir Sahib.
When Jehangir decided that Guru Arjan Dev should be killed, Sai Mian Meer went to meet Guru ji in the prison. He begged Guru ji to let him go to see Jehangir and plead him to grant his life. But Guru ji refused saying that his sacrifice was necessary to tell everyone that all religions were the same.
Guru Hargobind ji became the sixth guru of the Sikhs after Guru Arjan Dev ji’s sacrifice. He also held Sai ji in high respect. When Jehangir imprisoned Guru Hargobind ji in the Gwalior fort, Sai ji pleaded with the emperor to release Guru ji. Owing to his persuasion Jehangir not only released Guru ji but also maintained friendly relations with him afterwards.
Sai Mian Meer was truly a great man and a Sai who was treated in high esteem by the people from all walks of life and all religions. He went to his spiritual abode in August 1634.

Dr. Jagir Singh
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