Question

We often say that Allah Almighty is everywhere and that He resides within us. The Quran states, “(interpretation) He is nearer to man than his aorta (shah rag).” In this context, I would like to ask if the ideology of “wahdat-ul-wujood” is fundamentally incorrect.

Answer

Regarding your question, it is important to understand that the Qur’an does not explicitly state that Allah is everywhere or that He resides within us. God’s omnipresence does not pertain to His physical location; He is not confined to any particular existence, nor is He distributed in parts throughout the universe. The Qur’an does not describe God’s physical attributes, if such attributes exist. Therefore, when considering the “omnipresence” of God, it does not relate to His “whereabouts” or physical place of being. Rather, it is God’s attributes that confer His omnipresence.

God hears the most intimate prayers in the tiniest of hearts, sees the most hidden actions of all His creatures, and knows the deepest thoughts of our minds. His attributes grant Him knowledge and awareness of all things, and it is these qualities that allow for the omnipresence described in the Qur’an. For example, the Qur’an states:

“We created man, and We [even] know the promptings of his mind. We are closer to him than his life vein.”

This closeness refers to the attributes of God, not His physical proximity.

On the other hand, “wahdat-ul-wujood” posits that creation is the physical manifestation of God, or that both are essentially one. This concept seems to be completely antithetical to the teachings of the Qur’an.

I hope this clarifies the issue.

Regards,

Answered by: Mushafiq Sultan

Date: 2017-12-08