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Definition
Wahdat-ul-Wujood or Wahdat al-Wujud (Arabic: وحدة الوجود) the "Unity of Being" is a Sufi philosophy emphasizing that 'there is no existence except the ultimate truth', that was formulated by Ibn Arabi. Wahdat-ul-Wujood spread through the teachings of the Sufis like Shaikh Abu Ali Sindhi and Bayazid Bustami. Embellished and adored by Shaikh Fareeduddin Attar and propounded and codified by Shaikhul Akbar Mohyuddin Ibn Arabi. Some have termed the doctrine of Wahdat-ul-Wujood as pantheism. The Bektashi sect places much emphasis on the concept of Wahdat-ul-Wujood. This mystic sufi philosophy found conducive soil in many parts of South Asia as most of the saints and sages became dedicated disciples of Wahdat-ul-Wujood. Wahdat-ul-Wujood is also associated with Hamah Oost or Hama Oost philosophy in South Asia. Sachal Sarmast, sufi and poet from Pakistan, was also an ardent follower of Wahdat-ul-Wujood.
It is also widely hypothesized that the concept of Wahadat-ul-Wujood is a product of Arab interaction with Hindu mystics and literature, specifically in reference to the Upanishads (a text that pre-dates Sufism by atleast 1000 years), which preaches very similar concepts in regards to reality being an illussion and the only true existance being God. The Upanishads were translated into Arabic after the first Islamic Invasions of Sindh.
Al Hallaj says about God
"Before" does not outstrip Him,
"after" does not interrupt Him
"of" does not vie with Him for precedence
"from" does not accord with Him
"to" does not join with Him
"in" does not inhabit Him
"when" does not stop Him
"if" does not consult with Him
"over" does not overshadow
Him "under" does not support Him
"opposite" does not face Him
"with" does not press Him
"behind" does not limit Him
"previous" does not display Him
"after" does not cause Him to pass away
"all" does not unite Him
"is" does not bring Him into being
"is not" does not deprive Him from Being.
Concealment does not veil Him
His pre-existence preceded time,
His being preceded non-being,
His eternity preceded limit.
If thou sayest 'when',
His existing has outstripped time;
If thou sayest 'before', before is after Him;
If thou sayest 'he', 'h' and 'e' are His creation;
If thou sayest 'how', His essence is veiled from description;
If thou sayest 'where', His being preceded space;
If thou sayest 'ipseity' (ma huwa),
His ipseity (huwiwah) is apart from things.
Other than He cannot
be qualified by two (opposite) qualities at
one time; yet With Him they do not create opposition.
He is hidden in His manifestation,
manifest in His concealing.
He is outward and inward,
near and far; and in this respect He is
removed beyond the resemblance of creation.
He acts without contact,
instructs without meeting,
guides without pointing.
Desires do not conflict with Him,
thoughts do not mingle with Him:
His essence is without qualification (takyeef),
His action without effort (takleef).
Resources
Wahdat al-Wajood Detailed Explanation of Wahdat al-Wajood
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