“Wahdat-ul-Wajood” and Hazrat Syedna Pir Meher Ali Shah (R.A)
Hazrat (R.A) was a firm believer and supporter in the celebrated but rather controversial concept of Wahdat-ul-Wajood (Ultimate Unity of Being) pioneered by Shaikh Muhyuddin Ibn-ul-Arabi (R.A). His belief in the concept was based on deep study and contemplation and also on personal spiritual experience. In course of time, he developed into one of the leading authorities of his time on this subject, and it figured prominently in his teachings as well as writings.
Speaking on this subject, Hazrat Syedna Pir Meher Ali Shah (R.A) used to say that the fact that Archangel Gabriel had appeared to the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) in human form on several occasions had produced a persuasive effect on his mind from the very beginning in favour of the concept of Wahdat-ul-Wajood. He had also carefully studied the objections raised to the concept by the exponents of the contrasting concept of Wahdat-ush-Shahud (Unity of Perception or Vision), but arrived at the firm conclusion that Wahdat-ul-Wajood was concept based on truth.
The philosophy of “Wahdat-ul-Wajood” could further be explained in the light of the Quranic verses stressing upon the Omnipresence of God.
Translation: “He is the Beginning, He is the End; He is the One Evident, He is the One Hidden and Concealed.” (III, 75)
It reads in Holy Quran:
Translation: "Whether so ever ye turn, there is the presence of God". (II,115)
Translation: " Soon will We show them our signs in the (furtherest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth, Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?" (Surah Ha-meem - Ayah 53)
Maulana Rumi has expressed the truth in the following words:
Translation: “Whosoever moves away from the origin, fares around to reunite: The source is one; plurality is impossible in it. Manifestations are several”.
Sufi Philosopher Bhika has also reflected upon the philosophy as follows:
Translation: “ Clouds burst into rain and bubbling streams falls into the sea once more”.
We also get the example of Prophet Moses (A.S) who saw light emitting from a tree - it wasn’t God and yet he heard the voice,
Translation: "I am your God"
Maulana Rumi in his Mathnavi, says
Translation: "If a mere tree on the basis of being enlightened with the heavenly light, be granted the right to claim itself as God, why can't a man when he reaches the saturation point, as highest form of God's creation, be granted such a right.
According to Rumi such a state is that of an ecstasy. The state of (annihilation in God) is such:
Translation: "When iron is heated, it takes up the colour of fire. Though it does not become fire, it possesses (imbibes) all the characteristics of fire".
Translation: “On the earth are signs for those of assured faith, as also in your own selves; will ye not then see”?
Look to earth and the heavens. There are signs in them for the wise. Similarly - look within, four elements and nine heavens are within us. The outer world is a smaller world. The world within us is a bigger world. Allah has placed all of them within us. One can find the conditions of all by looking within one’s self.
Everywhere there are wonders and everyone is busy in this land of bewilderment. No end is visible. It is a strange phenomenon. Even in the limitation there is no flaw left but the charm and pleasure that exists in the original and real is quite different.
Allah said: “I was a hidden treasure, I created the creatures in order to be revealed” hence from (Wahdat) Divine Unity, plurality (manifestations) came into existence. In the beginning there was just Divine Unity but now even after enumerable manifestations the ultimate Reality remains the same as it was. All the diverse creations in the universe have emerged out of the same Absolute Reality which is eternal. Allah is an unseen reality which cannot be comprehended with physical senses, yet our spiritual eyes can visualize the presence of God unfolded in the diverse colours of the universe.
