Hukam is the term given to a holy order that a Sikh person takes from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism. It is actually a randomly selected hymn from the holy book. This order is believed to be the divine will. It is taken on a daily basis.
The Hukam is taken after the Ardas, the congregational prayer of the Sikhs. Any person can read the divine order. This person has to wash his/her hands and sit near the Guru Granth Sahib. The ‘rumala’ (colored cloth covering the holy book) is removed. Sitting in a meditative mood and singing hymns of the lord for guidance, the person opens a page at random. The first hymn occurring on the left hand side page is selected for reading. This verse is the hukam. Since it is written in Gurmukhi, the words are translated into the common language of the people present.
The Sikhs believe that the lord communicates to them through the hukam. It therefore forms a core part of the daily religious activities. Following the hukam is considered essential for leading a peaceful life. Submitting to god’s will is believed to produce a sense of humility in the person, attracting the grace of the lord.
