SIKHI QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question: Why don’t Sikhs cut their hair?
Answer: The main reason is that God instructed us to not cut our hair. That alone is good enough reason for a Sikh to not cut their hair. God’s instruction to keep hair uncut is written in Gurbani (scripture):
ਨਾਪਾਕ ਪਾਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਦੂਰਿ ਹਦੀਸਾ ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਿਰਾ ॥੧੨॥
naapaak paak kar hadoor hadeesaa, saabat soorat dastaar siraa. ||12||
Purifying your unclean mind and living in the presence of God is the (true) religious teaching. Keep your bodily appearance complete with unshorn hair and wear a turban on your head. (12)
(SGGS – Ang 1084)
A follower of Guru Nanak accepts and lives to the standards of God, rather than worldly standards based on fashion and what individual humans think is good and bad. As not cutting our hair is a commandment from God, our uncut hair represents a Sikh’s commitment and submission to God. Therefore, the hair is considered sacred and treated as an extension of our soul and a part of our being.
Question: If you don’t shave pubic hairs and armpits, then isn’t that unhygienic?
Answer: Keeping physical hygiene is very important along with keeping one’s mind and heart clean. If hair is that unclean, why don’t we shave it off our heads? Pubic hair was put there by God to protect one’s genitalia from friction and infection.
According to Dr Luisa Dillner (2016) it is more hygienic not to shave it. A 2007 study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine suggests that armpit hair means that your skin will likely be healthier, as you won’t be at risk of irritation, rashes, folliculitis (the inflammation of hair follicles) and even infection from dirty razors.
To stay hygienic, a Sikh is expected to have a full-body wash (bath/shower) every day. Daily washing of hair, whether it is on your head, armpits, or down below is part of Sikh discipline and ensuring one remains hygienic and physically clean. Not having a shower daily is more concerning for hygiene!
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