Sikh teaching rests on devotion to the one, formless God while affirming that this One is not confined to any single religious community. The same divine Light is understood to pervade all beings and traditions, so that truth and genuine devotion may be found in many religions. The Guru Granth Sahib itself contains the writings of Hindu and Muslim saints alongside those of the Sikh Gurus, symbolizing that the Divine can be approached through diverse names and paths. From this perspective, no community possesses a monopoly on God or salvation, and there is no notion of a “chosen people.” What ultimately matters is spiritual awareness, remembrance of God, and truthful living rather than the particular label of one’s faith.

Because of this universal orientation, Sikhism rejects religious exclusivism and the claim that any single path alone grants access to divine truth. At the same time, it maintains a clear distinction between sincere spirituality and empty religiosity. The Gurus sharply criticized superstition, caste prejudice, hollow ritual, and hypocrisy among Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs alike. The critique is directed at ego, injustice, and meaningless custom, not at the earnest seeker within any tradition. Thus, Sikhism can be both deeply committed to its own scriptural and devotional path and firmly opposed to sectarian arrogance.

Service to humanity flows naturally from this vision of one God present in all. The principle of “Sarbat da bhala,” the welfare of all, extends beyond the Sikh community to encompass every human being, regardless of religion or background. Practices such as langar, the free community kitchen open to all, embody the conviction that people of every faith can sit, eat, and worship side by side in equality. Sikh ethics emphasize remembrance of God’s Name, honest labor, and sharing with others, and anyone who lives by such principles and serves humanity is regarded as walking toward the Divine. In this way, Sikhism promotes interfaith respect, protects the religious freedom of others, and seeks harmonious coexistence grounded in devotion to one God and compassionate action in the world.