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Summary of Question:	Whether We Should Not Say Along When Hukamnama Is Being Read.
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Wednesday, 10/16/2002 9:31 AM MDT

Sat Sri Akal,

Just want to know if this is right? Just got back from temple and this is the comment I heard first time in my life. Today the giani ji made the comment that whilst the Hukamnama is being read, all the sangat in gurdwara should just close their eyes and listen to the Hukamnama. The giani ji said that we should not say along or read the Hukamnama along bec it is a blessing from God and that these words are not from him which he reads out but from God....Everytime there are some new comments and sometimes I am not sure if that is right. I believe if I have heard the Julamnama and read it before it is okay to say along as long as u are follwoing u are concentrating...on the Hukamnama. Coming to the gurdwara is a blessing for all and having the ability to sit and concentrate and follow with the prayers is also a blessing. We are youths who make an effort to come to the temple to get peace of mind and to follow certain direction in life. Can u enlighten me on this above situation. I feel personally it should be okay...and it is nothing wrong. Appreciate very much if u can highlight on this as it may drive the youths of today to wrong directions if unneccessary comments are made in the gurdwara. I really don't know how the other youths may feel but I feel really bad about such comments.
Sat Sri Akal
KK
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Reply
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Wow! How great for you to be able to know the Hukam that is being read! To recite with the Guru is perfectly OK. Reciting is so powerful a form of concentration. We always do that at the end of the Akand Paths when we do the sloks of Guru Teg Bahadur. Just be curteous that the reader of the Hukam can still be heard and you are not drowning them out. This would be the only coutesy that I can think of needing to be adhered too. Also, shouting out a correction can be rude and disconcerting.

I would like to point out that Guru Nanak says in Jaap Ji Sahib, Sunee-ai Sidh peer sur naat". Listening is the greatest power. Whispering so you can hear at the same time as reciting can be extremely powerful.

About this Giani, lets hope that he is not the only Giani on duty. He just seems to have a very narrow idea of how things should be done. Perhaps this is how he was taught.

Since this is a problem for you, I would reccomend that you speak to some older educated and sympathetic member of the Sadh Sangat, and have him speak to that Giani about relaxing this. Also, perhaps you can be invited to read the Vaak. Organize a day or time when the Youth lead the program.

Youth participation in our Gurdwara's needs to be encouraged. After all, that is how we pass on the legacy of the Guru. You are not only the future, You are also the presant.

God bless you and keep up!
SKKK