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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 or martyrdom, someone who gives life so that others

can live a better life. .

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 to defend his own faith or freedom of others. 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.

Classwork or Homework: Write answers to these questions.
1. What does Shaheedi mean?

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2. What does martyr stand for?

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Sikh History and Gurmat Sikhia Book 6 2020 Edition Page 4