What is Waḥdanīyah? 🌟
Waḥdanīyah (وحدنية) refers to the Islamic doctrine asserting the oneness and uniqueness of Allah. The term emerges from the Arabic root “وحد” (waḥad) meaning “one” or “unique”. It is an essential foundation of Tawḥīd (توحيد), the monotheistic principle that forms the bedrock of Islamic theology (ʿAqīdah, عقيدة).
Etymology and Background 📖
The term Waḥdanīyah translates to “oneness” or “singularity”. Linguistically, it stems from the concept of numerical unity but, when applied theologically, it emphasizes:
- Tawḥīd al-Rubūbīyah (توحيد الربوبية): Unity in God’s Lordship.
- Tawḥīd al-Asmāʾ wa al-Ṣifāt (توحيد الأسماء والصفات): Oneness in God’s names and attributes.
- Tawḥīd al-ʿIbādah (توحيد العبادة): Exclusive worship of Allah alone.
Role in Theology and Sufism 🌹
In mainstream Islamic thought, Waḥdanīyah underscores the central belief that Allah is without partners or equals. Within Ṣūfism, a mystical dimension of Islam, Waḥdanīyah ascends to profound existential experiences, where a Sufi aspires to witness and realize this singularity in every facet of existence.
Cultural Differences and Similarities 🌏
While comparable to monotheistic doctrines in Christianity (the belief in one God) and Judaism (Shema: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One”), Waḥdanīyah carries unique existential implications in Sufism. For instance, in Sikhism, the concept of Waheguru (one Supreme God) shares thematic overlaps but exists within a different cultural-religious framework.
Synonyms and Antonyms 📚
Synonyms:
- Tawḥīd (توحيد) – Monotheism
- Tawḥīd al-Ilāhīyah (توحيد الإلهية) – Unity of Divinity
Antonyms:
- Shirk (شرك) – Associating partners with Allah
- Polytheism
- Idolatry
Related Terms:
- Tawḥīd – The totality of disbelief in multiple deities.
- ʿAqīdah – Islamic creed or theology.
- Ṣūfīyah – Islamic mysticism centered on inner understanding and spiritual enlightenment.
Exciting Facts ✨
- The declaration of faith (Shahādah) includes the principle of Waḥdanīyah: “There is no god but Allah.”
- Islamic calligraphy often artistically embodies Waḥdanīyah, underscoring unity aesthetically.
- The first verse of the Qur’ān’s surah Al-Ikhlāṣ (Chapter 112) reads: “Say, He is Allah, [who is] One.”
Quotations 🖋️
The Persian poet and mystic Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī expressed Waḥdanīyah profoundly:
“In the silence of love, you will find the spark of beauty that bathed your soul in contentment.”
Suggested Literature and Sources 📘
- “The Tawḥīd of Allah” by Ibn Taymiyyah – A significant treatise on Islamic monotheism.
- “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr – Offers insights into Quranic verses on God’s Oneness.
- “Light upon Light: Inspirations from Rūmī” – A collection of Rūmī’s writings focusing on divine unity.
- “Sufism: Veil and Quintessence” by Frithjof Schuon – An exploration of the inner dimensions of Islamic belief.
Quizzes
“Through the understanding of unity, we perceive the profound message of a singular existence shared by all, echoing Divine Oneness.” - Amina Al-Fahad, 2023
In the pursuit of knowledge,
Amina Al-Fahad October 3, 2023
