Unity Of Existence

[tabarsir]

Salaam,

I am doing research on the concept of Unity of Existence since few days and this is what i have understood:

- Everything is God, i.e. God has given us his powers

- All the attributes belong to Him.

- Evil is just the distortion of his attributes by us.

Recently someone told me that in the concept of Wahdat al Wujud everything is considered as GOD.. I am God, you are God, if you see a dog then he is also God, etc etc...

He said Wahdat al Wujud is nothing but Sufiism.

Now can someone please explain me in a plain and simple language?

[Plz don't provide me links of other discussions because i went through many of them and all are explanations are going above my head]

[Wizdom]

Salaam,

I am doing research on the concept of Unity of Existence since few days and this is what i have understood:

- Everything is God, i.e. God has given us his powers

- All the attributes belong to Him.

- Evil is just the distortion of his attributes by us.

Recently someone told me that in the concept of Wahdat al Wujud everything is considered as GOD.. I am God, you are God, if you see a dog then he is also God, etc etc...

He said Wahdat al Wujud is nothing but Sufiism.

Now can someone please explain me in a plain and simple language?

[Plz don't provide me links of other discussions because i went through many of them and all are explanations are going above my head]

I think the issue is that everyone is trying to immerse themselves into these deep, advanced, scholarly discussions, when they lack the knowledge to do so. Scholars spend many years understanding and studying the concept of Wahdat al-Wujood. I doubt you'll find anyone on here who knows anything beyond the very basics.

In response to the bold part, your friend has a very flawed understanding of the concept. The example of the dog has been misquoted. The concept is that we can see Allah (SWT) in everything. Everything is a projection of Allah's (SWT) majesty. So, even a dog, is a projection of Allah (SWT), in that it is His (SWT) creation. Everything on this Earth is connected to Allah (SWT), just like all the ripples in a pond are connected to the initial 'splash'.

The actual example of the dog is taken from a narration, in which Prophet Musa (as) was asked to find a creation that is lower than himself. The Prophet (as) eventually came a across a diseased dog, but then could not present it to Allah (SWT), stating that he could not consider any creation in which Allah (SWT) can be seen as being lower than himself. In doing so, he passed Allah's (SWT) test. There is more detail to the Hadith.

[Abdullah1400]

Salaamun Alaykum,

 

Wahdat al-Wujood literally means the oneness of existence, i.e. that there is only one instance of existence and that is God, i.e. that nothing other than God exists.

 

This would seem to be a strange idea given that we all clearly find ourselves existing. That is why all the discussion amongst the scholars, who don't reject the concept, is on interpreting it so that it makes sense.

 

Basically this idea was introduced by mystics, who because of what they had witnessed in their spiritual journey's in to the unseen spiritual realm, came across a reality so overwhelming that in explaining it they used this idea to do so.

 

Ayatullah Bahjat (ra) has an interesting explanation of the term Wahdat al-Wujood - he says that Wahdat al-Wujood doesn't literally mean that there is only one existent and that is God, but rather that the existence of God is so overwhelming that it is as if there is only one existent, which is God. Like when you see the brilliant stars in the night sky, but then in the daytime you do not see them anymore. This is not because they have ceased to exist, but rather that the light of the sun outshines them - as if nothing but the light of the sun exists.  

[Jamal Al Hasan]

Wahdat al wajood is a flawed concept. We are all thoughts of God. We are not part of God other than just an ideation of him.

[myouvial]

I saw in one thread about Wahdatul mawjud and wahdatul wujud, but i cannot find it in search.

 

What is the differences ?

[peace seeker]

there is one aya for instance that supports this, and ayatulah bahjats description above by abdullah 1400 is very nice:

 

And to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you [might] turn, there is the Face of Allah . Indeed, Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. 2:115

 

saying that everything is God, and Allahu Akbar, is not the same as limiting Allah by saying a single creation is God.

 

It is a highly philosophic journey to think about this, and yet it can be proved through science as well. still, it should be understood that we as humans can only scratch on this, while the Truth of "what" God is, can never be grasped by our limited minds.

 

One way of proving it is the way ayatulah bahgat (ra) explained it. basically that Allah's infinity means that His presence transcends everything including out finite world. Infinity can not be contained or excluded from anything or anywhere.

 

the scientific approach is basically that everything that is, is light. scientifically speaking light is a form of energy, and atoms are simply fields of energy. therefore, even matter is actually light, and scientists will say it exists at a different "state" due to its frequency. the same counts for sound, x-ray, gravity and all kinds of energy.

 

it is very unfortunate that only very few science teachers in schools teach this point. that everything that is, is energy. what we call "Light", is actually simply energy that our eyes can perceive. so because of this highly limited range of light that we see, we can make out a little bit about our environment. the same goes for hearing.

 

this goes in hand with the term la hawla walaqowata ila bilah. no change and not power/strength/etc except with the God. This shows how everything that changes or moves is directly moving with God, and as we know, God is everywhere, and beyond everywhere.

 

some scientists might tell you that matter (such as clay) is energy at a lower frequency. this way of thinking makes us realise the creative powers of our tongues and voices. how the word is linked to the manifestation. 

 

it starts with intention, goes to a thought, comes out as a word, then manifests into being. and actually the thought is in essence the same as the thing, just descended on a different frequency again.

 

when Allah and the prophet tell us sabih, or "say" this or that, we can understand this better now.

 

this is why good people have usually good intention, good thoughts, good speech, good actions, etc. (linked)

 

the concept of wahdat ul wujud has a purpose. its purpose is not to grasp Allah or to be a bridge to polytheism. because saying this or that is Allah would mean that God is this and that, while we know that Allah is the One.

 

but saying that everything that is, is God, does not create seperate entities as Gods.

 

the purpose of wahdat al wujud is to get us closer to God, to make us always remember and accept the presence of Rabb el samawat wel ard. the purpose is to always thank God no matter what or who might be making us upset, while understanding that even in the most undesirable aspects of creation, God has His Hand involved. the purpose is to love God more and understand that He knows everything, sees everything, and this can only be, if He is everywhere. wujud means presence in Arabic, and nobody can deny that Allah is everywhere at the same time and fully present in the entire creations in a unified way. wahdat (unity) of His Presence.subhan Allah

 

if a person can see the spirit of God in every creature, including a dog, an ant, or the wind, they will most likely be saying subhan Allah more in their hearts, and alhamdulilah, and of course Allahu Akbar. because no matter what we can perceive, it can never perceive the true Greatness and Grandeur of the One God.

 

does the wahdat al wujud concept help us out in our closeness to God? that is the question we need to ask ourselves. does it improve our zikr or consciousness of Allah? does it increase our intelligence and help us accept our destiny more? does it help us respect all creatures more, and deal in a more just way? each religious concept should get us closer to Allah in sha Allah

 

(wasalam)

I saw in one thread about Wahdatul mawjud and wahdatul wujud, but i cannot find it in search.

 

What is the differences ?

 

brother if i'm not wrong it is simply the same word in different grammatical setting:

 

wujud means presence

 

majud is presence related to a subject.

 

 

like: wujud Allah is 'Presence of Allah"

 

Allah Mawjud is 'Allah is present'

 

 

wAllahu Aalam

 

(wasalam)

Edited June 17, 2013 by peace seeker

[Ali_Hussain]

If you ignore all the stupid comments, sayed al-Haydari explains what it is in this video

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vpQ-KC-RP4

[Abu Nur]

From Kitab Al Tawhiid by Sheik Saduq, English version Page. 150

O Bedouin! The statement that 'Allah is One" is of four types: Two types cannot be applied to Allah, while the two other types can be applied to Him. As for the two types of statements that cannot be applied to Him,  the first is the claim that Allah is One in numerical sense. Such a statement cannot be applied to Allah, because as the One, He has no second, and He is not subject to mathematical calculation. Do you not see that he who claims that Allah is the third of the three has disbelieved in Him?

 

The second statement which cannot be applied to Allah is the claim that He is One with humankind....

 

And the two types of the statements that can be applied to Allah are ;

 

1. He is the One who resemble none.

2. He is Alone, in the sense that He is Indivisible in Existence [Wujud], Intellect ['aql] and Thought.

[myouvial]

there is one aya for instance that supports this, and ayatulah bahjats description above by abdullah 1400 is very nice:

 

And to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you [might] turn, there is the Face of Allah . Indeed, Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. 2:115

 

saying that everything is God, and Allahu Akbar, is not the same as limiting Allah by saying a single creation is God.

 

It is a highly philosophic journey to think about this, and yet it can be proved through science as well. still, it should be understood that we as humans can only scratch on this, while the Truth of "what" God is, can never be grasped by our limited minds.

 

One way of proving it is the way ayatulah bahgat (ra) explained it. basically that Allah's infinity means that His presence transcends everything including out finite world. Infinity can not be contained or excluded from anything or anywhere.

 

the scientific approach is basically that everything that is, is light. scientifically speaking light is a form of energy, and atoms are simply fields of energy. therefore, even matter is actually light, and scientists will say it exists at a different "state" due to its frequency. the same counts for sound, x-ray, gravity and all kinds of energy.

 

it is very unfortunate that only very few science teachers in schools teach this point. that everything that is, is energy. what we call "Light", is actually simply energy that our eyes can perceive. so because of this highly limited range of light that we see, we can make out a little bit about our environment. the same goes for hearing.

 

this goes in hand with the term la hawla walaqowata ila bilah. no change and not power/strength/etc except with the God. This shows how everything that changes or moves is directly moving with God, and as we know, God is everywhere, and beyond everywhere.

 

some scientists might tell you that matter (such as clay) is energy at a lower frequency. this way of thinking makes us realise the creative powers of our tongues and voices. how the word is linked to the manifestation. 

 

it starts with intention, goes to a thought, comes out as a word, then manifests into being. and actually the thought is in essence the same as the thing, just descended on a different frequency again.

 

when Allah and the prophet tell us sabih, or "say" this or that, we can understand this better now.

 

this is why good people have usually good intention, good thoughts, good speech, good actions, etc. (linked)

 

the concept of wahdat ul wujud has a purpose. its purpose is not to grasp Allah or to be a bridge to polytheism. because saying this or that is Allah would mean that God is this and that, while we know that Allah is the One.

 

but saying that everything that is, is God, does not create seperate entities as Gods.

 

the purpose of wahdat al wujud is to get us closer to God, to make us always remember and accept the presence of Rabb el samawat wel ard. the purpose is to always thank God no matter what or who might be making us upset, while understanding that even in the most undesirable aspects of creation, God has His Hand involved. the purpose is to love God more and understand that He knows everything, sees everything, and this can only be, if He is everywhere. wujud means presence in Arabic, and nobody can deny that Allah is everywhere at the same time and fully present in the entire creations in a unified way. wahdat (unity) of His Presence.subhan Allah

 

if a person can see the spirit of God in every creature, including a dog, an ant, or the wind, they will most likely be saying subhan Allah more in their hearts, and alhamdulilah, and of course Allahu Akbar. because no matter what we can perceive, it can never perceive the true Greatness and Grandeur of the One God.

 

does the wahdat al wujud concept help us out in our closeness to God? that is the question we need to ask ourselves. does it improve our zikr or consciousness of Allah? does it increase our intelligence and help us accept our destiny more? does it help us respect all creatures more, and deal in a more just way? each religious concept should get us closer to Allah in sha Allah

 

(wasalam)

 

brother if i'm not wrong it is simply the same word in different grammatical setting:

 

wujud means presence

 

majud is presence related to a subject.

 

 

like: wujud Allah is 'Presence of Allah"

 

Allah Mawjud is 'Allah is present'

 

 

wAllahu Aalam

 

(wasalam)

 

Allahu akbar,

Asyhadu ala ilah ailallah wahdahulasyarikalah,

wa asyahdu anna Muhammad abduhu warasuluh.

Allahumma shali ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad.

 

Thank you akhi/brother, your answer is simple and directly to the point.

The bold sentence maybe easy to understand but must be difficult to apply for simple human, at least myself.

I remember when Imam Husain (AS) saying when an arrow hit his baby and himself. His saying implying (or representing?) thankfulness to Allah SWT.

 

About wahdatul wujud and wahdatul mawjud :

I do not know much Arabic, except a little reading and small writing, but almost none in its vocabulary moreover its grammar.

 

I am trying to make a similarity (but not sure if it is right).

 

Sujud is prostrating on earth. Masjid is the entity/place of prostrating.

Sholla is acting shalat. Musholla is the place to do shalat.

Diin is religion. Madinah is the place of religion.

 

Wujud is manifestation.

Mawjud is the place of manifestation.

Wahdatul wujud and wahdatul mawjud is unity in manifestation and unity in place of manifestation.

We, creature, are from the God/Allah SWT to whom we will return.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un.

[peace seeker]

(wasalam)

Thank you and a million jazak Allahs for your most amazing response I've ever seen on ShiaChat to anything I've said. I love your salawat and wisdom. Masha Allah and God bless you and make you among the intimate entourage of the ahl bayt in sha Allah.

(wasalam)

[myouvial]

In spite of my weakness as a human, i have decided my stance/position to Ahlul Bayt (AS).

 

No Taqiyyah, masked, pretending.

[peace seeker]

brother your post yesterday actually made me cry while i was doing duas for you during my prayers.

 

very rarely people invest their time to write this

 

 

Allahu akbar,

Asyhadu ala ilah ailallah wahdahulasyarikalah,

wa asyahdu anna Muhammad abduhu warasuluh.

Allahumma shali ala Muhammad wa ali Muhammad.

 

and

 

 

We, creature, are from the God/Allah SWT to whom we will return.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un.

 

thank you and may Allah be generous with you in this life and the next, and flood you with his signs and open your heart to them more and more with each heartbeat in sha Allah

[myouvial]

brother your post yesterday actually made me cry while i was doing duas for you during my prayers.

 

very rarely people invest their time to write this

 

 

and

 

 

thank you and may Allah be generous with you in this life and the next, and flood you with his signs and open your heart to them more and more with each heartbeat in sha Allah

 

Insya Allah SWT,

 

Back to the topic op posted, we all is signs of God (Ayatollah, ayat/sign of Allah).

 

If we walk, run or whatever to Allah, Allah will walk, run faster 10 times than us, to us.

 

Right now, my conclusion about all the teaching from Nabi Muhammad Rasulullah SAW  :

 

Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiim.

 

I think every Muslim whoever they are, who know Al Qur'an, would hesitate to do bad deed/munqar if they say firstly with this sentence before doing anything.

 

So all politicians/leader should use and explain this sentence to other leader, what ever their religion, whether their hostile enemy, or else.

 

If we had been waiting for Imam Zaman, Imam Mahdi AS, why not we spread the carpet of rahmaan and rahiim ?

[Rohani]

Salaam,

I am doing research on the concept of Unity of Existence since few days and this is what i have understood:

- Everything is God, i.e. God has given us his powers

- All the attributes belong to Him.

- Evil is just the distortion of his attributes by us.

Recently someone told me that in the concept of Wahdat al Wujud everything is considered as GOD.. I am God, you are God, if you see a dog then he is also God, etc etc...

He said Wahdat al Wujud is nothing but Sufiism.

Now can someone please explain me in a plain and simple language?

[Plz don't provide me links of other discussions because i went through many of them and all are explanations are going above my head]

 

 

This is completely wrong Wahdatul wujud is a proposition with higher meaning. When i was taking lessons from shaykh arif's online broadcaste. he was asked this question "is everything God?" he said "it is the most false statement one can make as there is no other than god yet everything is not god" how is this meant it is meant that God is unlimited and by his life all things live and all things depends all things are created and limited and needy and he is not needy. God cannot be limited and simply enough a limited thing cannot exist by it's selft or be independent it needs to depend on something much greater. 

[Ethics]

I think the issue is that everyone is trying to immerse themselves into these deep, advanced, scholarly discussions, when they lack the knowledge to do so. Scholars spend many years understanding and studying the concept of Wahdat al-Wujood. I doubt you'll find anyone on here who knows anything beyond the very basics.

In response to the bold part, your friend has a very flawed understanding of the concept. The example of the dog has been misquoted. The concept is that we can see Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì in everything. Everything is a projection of Allah's ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì majesty. So, even a dog, is a projection of Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì, in that it is His ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì creation. Everything on this Earth is connected to Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì, just like all the ripples in a pond are connected to the initial 'splash'.

The actual example of the dog is taken from a narration, in which Prophet Musa (as) was asked to find a creation that is lower than himself. The Prophet (as) eventually came a across a diseased dog, but then could not present it to Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì, stating that he could not consider any creation in which Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì can be seen as being lower than himself. In doing so, he passed Allah's ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì test. There is more detail to the Hadith.

 

 

Salaamun Alaykum,

 

Wahdat al-Wujood literally means the oneness of existence, i.e. that there is only one instance of existence and that is God, i.e. that nothing other than God exists.

 

This would seem to be a strange idea given that we all clearly find ourselves existing. That is why all the discussion amongst the scholars, who don't reject the concept, is on interpreting it so that it makes sense.

 

Basically this idea was introduced by mystics, who because of what they had witnessed in their spiritual journey's in to the unseen spiritual realm, came across a reality so overwhelming that in explaining it they used this idea to do so.

 

Ayatullah Bahjat (ra) has an interesting explanation of the term Wahdat al-Wujood - he says that Wahdat al-Wujood doesn't literally mean that there is only one existent and that is God, but rather that the existence of God is so overwhelming that it is as if there is only one existent, which is God. Like when you see the brilliant stars in the night sky, but then in the daytime you do not see them anymore. This is not because they have ceased to exist, but rather that the light of the sun outshines them - as if nothing but the light of the sun exists.  

 

Exactly brothers. Great responses. I love Ayatollah Behjat, may Allah bless his soul. What a profound statement!

 

Basically wahdat al-wujood is that everything is a manifestation of God. Everything comes from Allah and are sign of Allah. Allah is present in all things.

 

“And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein” [Qaaf 50:16]

 

Wa Salaam

[tabarsir]

Thanks everyone for sparing your valuable time and explaining this concept...

Love you all..

Iltemase Dua :)

 

[P.S.: was away from Shiachat for 2 months as didn't have proper access of Internet and because of other activities, so saw these replies now.]