"WAHDAT-AL-WUJUD" AND "WAHDAT-AL-SHUHUD" WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO AZEEMIA SCHOOL OF THOUGHT

Abstract

The dispute between “Wahdat-al-Wujud” and “Wahdat-al-Shuhud” is an important issue that has been discussed by various Sufi thinkers/philosophers. Three main names in the context of this issue are Ibn-al-Arabi, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi and Shah Wali-Allah. Ibn-al-Arabi, the advocate of Wahdat-al-Wujud, argues that Divine Being is One and that is God. The created beings such as world or universe including ideas, systems of thought and angels are nothing but just manifestations (Tajalli) or emanations of Divine attributes (Divine Names). Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi, criticizing Ibn-al-Arabi, introduced the concept of duality within unity. He argues, God has created universe form non-being; which is not the Being of God. He argues God and His attributes (Dhat and Sifat) are not identical. Shah Wali-Allah, attempts to reconcile the dispute. He concludes that this disagreement is merely a verbal dispute. This article delineates M Azeem’s solution to the problem. He argues that the disagreement is genuine and it is created by human mind. He claims to presents a better solution.