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Revision as of 08:46, 10 January 2007 by Abrar47 (talk | contribs) (→[]/[] Criticism)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Wahdat-ul-Wujood or Wahdat al-Wujud (Arabic: وحدة الوجود) the "Unity of Being" is a Sufi philosophy emphasizing that 'there is no true existence except the Ultimate Truth (God)'. All of his creations emerge from 'Edem' (non-existance) to 'Wajood' (existence) out of his though only. Hence the existence of God is the only true one (Haq) and that of his creation a false one ('Baatil'). This concept was formulated by Shaikh Kabeer Mohiuddin Ibn Arabi.
Spread
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 (Persian meaning He is the only one) philosophy in South Asia. Sachal Sarmast, Sufi and poet from Pakistan, was also an ardent follower of Wahdat-ul-Wujood.
Difference between Pantheism and Wahadat ul wujood
- English word Pantheism means All is God but the Arabic word Wahdat -ul- wujoob just emphasize on that there is just single being in existence so wajud is single
- English transliteration of Wahdat -ul- wujoob might be Monoism, Unity of being or unity of existence
Wahhabi/Salafi Criticism
Some Wahhabies/Salafies criticize the concept of Wahadat-ul-Wujood on the grounds that being believed to be a product of Arab interaction with Hindu philosophy, it is not a purely Islamic concept. Other Wahhabies/Salafies accuse that this concept has come from Jews and they cite similarities with Kabbalah. Some even attribute it to the Greco-Roman pagan concept of pantheism.
This criticism comes mostly because Wahhabies/Salafies claim heritage to the teachings of Ibn Taymiyyah who was a rival/critic of Ibn Arabi
Similarity to other belief systems
It is also speculated that the concept of Wahadat-ul-Wujood could be product of Arab interaction with Hindu mystics and literature, specifically in reference to the non-dualistic teachings of the Upanishads, which preaches very similar concepts in regards to reality being an illusion and the only true existence being Brahman. The Upanishads were translated into Arabic during Muslim rule of South Asia.
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