Vahadat-ul-Vajood' means

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:

Vahadat-ul-Vajood (or Wahdat al-Wujud) is a fundamental and complex philosophical concept within Sufism, or Islamic mysticism. The term literally translates to the "Oneness of Existence" or "Unity of Being." This doctrine posits that nothing truly exists except God (Al-Haqq, The Ultimate Reality), and that the entire universe and everything within it is merely a manifestation, reflection, or appearance of this single, ultimate reality. In simpler terms, the essence of all creation is one with the divine Essence, suggesting an absolute unity between the Creator and the created. Therefore, the concept of "Unity of Soul and God" (or Unity of Being/Existence) accurately captures the core meaning of this doctrine, where the individual soul (or existence) is fundamentally inseparable from the Divine Reality. The most prominent proponent of this idea was the 12th-13th century Sufi master Ibn Arabi.

The incorrect option is 2:
The option "Blessing of God" translates to *Barakah* or *Ni'mah* in Arabic/Persian, which refers to divine favor, blessing, or grace. While blessings are central to spiritual life, this term does not encapsulate the metaphysical doctrine of Vahadat-ul-Vajood, which deals with the nature of existence itself, not just divine favor.

The incorrect option is 3:
The term "Unity in Diversity" is generally translated as *Wahdat al-Kuthrah* or a similar phrase, often used in contemporary political or cultural contexts. While Vahadat-ul-Vajood suggests that the diversity of the world emanates from a single source, the phrase itself is too broad and does not convey the specific philosophical depth or theological meaning of the Sufi doctrine concerning the oneness of existence.

The incorrect option is 4:
The option "Right (Haq)" translates to *Haqq* in Arabic, which has several meanings including truth, right, justice, or The Absolute Reality (God). While God is *Al-Haqq* in this context, defining Vahadat-ul-Vajood simply as *Haqq* is insufficient, as the doctrine is about the *relationship* and *oneness* of existence with this Reality, not merely the Reality itself.