What is a Hukamnama (Mukhwak)?

These words are so beautifully contain the essence of Sikh Ideology.
The Guru’s Word (Vaak) / Hukamnama/ Mukh Vaak is immaculate and pure;
It is a compound of two words ...
HUKAM :- meaning command or order.
NAMAH:- meaning statement.

Hukamnama refers to a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib which radiates a steady light of spiritual enlightenment that dispels darkness (ignorance) from a person's life and mind. The Hukamnama (Mukh Vaak) is the true shrine of pilgrimage. Daily bathing in such a Hukamnama (Mukh Vaak) is the real bathing that cleanses the mind.

Many will ask or it is a question that comes in mind that how talking to Guru Granth Sahib is possible. If yes, then, what the method is about communicating with Guru Sahib or Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Since Guru Gobind Singh Ji bestowed Guruship upon Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhs have been asking Guru Granth Sahibs Ji's advice and spiritual guidance through the tradition of taking a Hukamnama.

Nowdays in each Gurudwara when Parkash Seva happen in the early hours of the morning, A Hukamnama is taken. Every Ang, Salokh (Couplet), Pauree (stanza) and Page of Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written with the utmost spiritual acumen known to Human, and a Hukamnama has taken with love and faith can change lives. The Mukh Vaak / Hukamnama Sahib is considered as royal decree by Guru Sahib's for the whole humanity, Human being, Sikhism and Sikh nation for that particular day.

Step of taking Hukamnaama Sahib

1. An Ardaas or standing prayer, should be offered before taking a Hukamnama.
2. If Guru Ji is covered with a Rumaala Sahib (beautiful fabric draping), then slowly with reverence roll or fold the Rumaala Sahib on itself. It is advisable to tuck the rolled up section of the Rumaala Sahib between the hard cover of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Angs on both sides. Ang litterally means 'part' as in part of a body. Each ang is reverently considered to be part of the body of the living Guru, Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji
3. If Guru Ji has not been opened, then when opening Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the opening angs at the top will be the Hukamnama. If Guru is already open then from the middle of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, lift an equal amount of Angs from one side and the other side, and with both thumbs carefully and randomly select an ang from the middle section of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
4. Before reciting a Hukamnama, it is common to recite a mangla-chaaran, which means an invocation. We not only invoke the blessing of the Guru but clear our minds that we may read the Hukamnaama with proper attention. This can be a small shabad, salokh or saying 'Satnaam Waheguru ' in between opening Guru Ji for the Hukamnama.
5. The Hukamnama according to the Rehat Maryada is always from the top left hand side. If the shabad is continuing from the previous ang turn the ang over to the point where the shabad begins. If the Bani is a Salokh (couplet) or a Pauree (stanza), read the Salokh and the Pauree (if it starts on the previous ang, start from there). The pauree typically at the end of a given Shabad, which is deliniated by the pause or 'Rahao' line, in a shabad contains the central idea of Guru Ji's message. The other stanzas then expound in greater detail on this central theme.
6. You need to read the first two lines of the Hukamnama twice. Again the Pauree before the "Rahaao" (if applicable) is usually the central idea of the Shabad. The last two lines are then to also read twice (as indication that this is the end of the Hukamnama).
7. A shabad usually ends with "Nanak" Also you can tell by looking at the numbers following after the line after a given Pauree where you are. The final Pauree contains a number then another number indicating fianlity of the Shabad. Thus Gurbani is organized in a logical way most can follow.

If you have a spiritual question in your heart, go ahead and take a Hukamnama yourself. Prepare yourself to ask a question, like you would if you were to see Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji or any of the Gurus, because all ten Gurus reside spiritually within the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.