Gurmata

A Gurmata (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਮਤਾ; literally, 'Guru's intention' or 'advice of the Guru'), alternatively romanized as Gurumatta, is an order upon a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion and is binding upon all Sikhs.^[1] Gurmata is similar to Fatwa in the Muslim tradition with a difference that Fatwa is not binding on all Muslims while Gurmata is binding on all Khalsa, however it is not binding on non-Khalsa Sikhs.^[2]^[3]^[4] Gurmatas were used in the 18th century to refer to the resolutions passed by the Sarbat Khalsa, a large gathering of esteemed Sikhs.^[5]

^ Cole, W. Owen (1997). A popular dictionary of Sikhism. Piara Singh Sambhi. Lincolnwood, Ill.: NTC Pub. Group. ISBN 978-0-203-98609-7. OCLC 648154652. Gurmatta - A decision affecting the whole Sikh community. The Rahit Maryada defines the areas which may be covered by a gurmatta as 'subjects calculated to clarify and support the fundamental principles of Sikhism, such as safeguarding the position of the Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib, purity of ritual, and panthic organization'. Political, educational and social matters may also be dealt with at panthic meetings but on these only resolutions, mattas, may be passed. These are not as sacred or inviolable as gurmattas. A gurmatta may only be passed by the Sarbat Khalsa, that is a properly constituted assembly of the Panth which has been publicly announced and to which they have been summoned. In this way it resembles the gatherings of Sikhs in the presence of the human Gurus at Hola Mohalla, Baisakhi, and Diwali, at which such decisions were often made, though, of course, it must be held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. In 1805 Maharaja Ranjit Singh abolished assemblies of the Sarbat Khalsa for this purpose, but the practice has recently been re-established.
^ Nayyar, Raman (December 2019). Institution of Gurmata: Significance and Role in the Eighteenth Century (PDF). Vol. Two. Gyankosh: An Interdisciplinary Journal. ISSN 2581-8252.
^ "Sarbat Khalsa & Gurmata | Khushwant Singh | SikhRI Articles". sikhri.org. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
^ "Sikhism FAQs:Explain The Procedure And Significance Of Gurmatta (Guru's Decisio - Gateway To Sikhism". 11 December 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
^ Herrli, Hans (2004). The coins of the Sikhs (2nd ed.). New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. p. 17. ISBN 81-215-1132-1. OCLC 56367207. Gurumatta - The word means: advice of the Guru and it is the name given to the resolutions of the Sarbat Khalsa, the diet or general assembly of the Sikhs.

[1] Cole, W. Owen (1997). A popular dictionary of Sikhism. Piara Singh Sambhi. Lincolnwood, Ill.: NTC Pub. Group. ISBN 978-0-203-98609-7. OCLC 648154652. Gurmatta - A decision affecting the whole Sikh community. The Rahit Maryada defines the areas which may be covered by a gurmatta as 'subjects calculated to clarify and support the fundamental principles of Sikhism, such as safeguarding the position of the Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib, purity of ritual, and panthic organization'. Political, educational and social matters may also be dealt with at panthic meetings but on these only resolutions, mattas, may be passed. These are not as sacred or inviolable as gurmattas. A gurmatta may only be passed by the Sarbat Khalsa, that is a properly constituted assembly of the Panth which has been publicly announced and to which they have been summoned. In this way it resembles the gatherings of Sikhs in the presence of the human Gurus at Hola Mohalla, Baisakhi, and Diwali, at which such decisions were often made, though, of course, it must be held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. In 1805 Maharaja Ranjit Singh abolished assemblies of the Sarbat Khalsa for this purpose, but the practice has recently been re-established.

[2] Nayyar, Raman (December 2019). Institution of Gurmata: Significance and Role in the Eighteenth Century (PDF). Vol. Two. Gyankosh: An Interdisciplinary Journal. ISSN 2581-8252.

[3] "Sarbat Khalsa & Gurmata | Khushwant Singh | SikhRI Articles". sikhri.org. Retrieved 21 September 2022.

[4] "Sikhism FAQs:Explain The Procedure And Significance Of Gurmatta (Guru's Decisio - Gateway To Sikhism". 11 December 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2022.

[5] Herrli, Hans (2004). The coins of the Sikhs (2nd ed.). New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. p. 17. ISBN 81-215-1132-1. OCLC 56367207. Gurumatta - The word means: advice of the Guru and it is the name given to the resolutions of the Sarbat Khalsa, the diet or general assembly of the Sikhs.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]