Nanak the first Guru of the Sikhs prescribed- that all his followers must be in praise of the word, of Charity, ablution, service and prayer.

These are the five pillars of Sikhism (Nanaks teachings) which were influenced by both Hinduism and Islam. From Islam, Nanak adopted monotheism and from Hinduism the metaphysics of the Upanishad and the Gita. Reality was the one supreme God. He accepted the theory of Karma and advocated the path of Bhakti. Hymn singing, keeping the company of Holy men, and surrendering to a Guru were his advice.