Rajput Sial in Pakistan

Introduction / History

The Sial Rajput people have been cattle herders in Pakistan's Punjab Province for a long time. No one knows when they migrated to Punjab. Centuries ago a strong Sial leader unified this part of Pakistan under his rule, but that dynasty didn't last long. Other people groups rose to power, and the Sial slipped back into obscurity.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Sial Rajputs enjoy high status in Pakistani society. They encourage their sons to pursue higher education. As Muslims, their women are often secluded in the home. When the women go out, they wear very modest clothing that covers their heads and bodies. Families arrange marriages within the Rajput caste but not within the near clan members. The ancient practice of child marriage is no longer followed. Sons inherit property. They are non-vegetarians but as Muslims they do not eat pork.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sial people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.
Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.
In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.

What Are Their Needs?

Pakistan is one of the world's hardest places to spread the gospel, especially in light of the violence dealt to religious minorities. Most of these people speak a major language in Pakistan like Panjabi or Urdu, so they have potential access to biblical materials online like gospel recordings and the JESUS Film.

Prayer Points

Pray for many Sial Rajputs to find, download, and believe what they hear in these resources.
Pray that God would lead loving workers to reach out to the Sial Rajputs.
Ask the Lord to create a hunger for the true God among this people group.
May the Sial come to see Jesus Christ as the true source of salvation.

Text Source:   Joshua Project