Human Dignity in the Holy Qur’an and Guru Granth Sahib

Abstract

The notion of human dignity constitutes a foundational ethical and theological principle within both Islamic and Sikh traditions. This article advances a comparative hermeneutical inquiry into the conceptualization of human dignity as articulated in the Holy Qur’ān and the Guru Granth Sahib. While contemporary human rights discourse frequently grounds dignity in secular rationalism, both traditions situate it within a metaphysical and theocentric framework rooted in divine creation, moral responsibility, and spiritual equality. The Qur’ān presents human dignity as an intrinsic and divinely bestowed attribute, conferred upon all descendants of Adam irrespective of socio-cultural distinctions. In contrast, the Guru Granth Sahib emphasizes the unity of divine essence (Ik Onkar) and articulates a radical egalitarian vision that transcends caste, class, and ethnicity. Through a close textual analysis of primary sources in Arabic and Gurmukhi, this study demonstrates a profound convergence in ethical outlooks, despite theological differences.