Pantheism
Assertion:-
The Islamic concept of God is Pantheistic - the doctrine that God is everything and everything is God. In other words, 'vahdat-ul-vujuud' (unity of existence).
I swear against negation: there is absolutely no "Not He"; Except the Beloved, I don't see anything [else] anywhere . --Sindhi poet Sufi Qazi Qadan (1463-1551)
The Prophet is reported to have said: "I see nothing in which I see not God"
Comment:-
If this person thinks that this establishes pantheism in Islam, then he is mistaken. He has misunderstood the Sufi position or else chosen a false Sufi to follow.
The Quran tells us, and no doubt the Prophet was not going against this:-
"To Allah belongs the East and the West, and wherever ye turn there is Allah's countenance (presence); for verily, Allah is All-pervading and All-Knowing." 2:115
But also:-
"Allah is independent of all creatures." 3:97
"Naught is as His likeness." 42:11
"Vision comprehends Him not, but He comprehends all vision. He is the Subtile, the Aware." 6:104
It is necessary to distinguish between the creator and the creature - the latter has forms and is limited in time, space and characteristics, and the former is not. The name Allah is used in Islam only for the Creator. In essence there is only Allah, but He has created Forms with Truth - they are not, therefore illusions.
"He created the heavens and the earth with truth! Exalted is He above all that which they join with Him! " 16:3
But when a persons surrenders to Allah completely (i.e. is a real Muslim) then:-
"And call not upon any other God along with Allah; there is no God but He. Everything will perish, except His countenance. His is the command, and unto Him shall ye return! " 28:88
and
"Verily, my worship and my sacrifice, and my living and my dying belong to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. He has no partner. This I am commanded, and I am foremost of those who surrender (unto Him)" 6:163-164
Critic:-
Everyone is entitled to their own conception.
Comment:-
Is that why the Messengers were sent? Or was it to rectify misconceptions and raise the level of consciousness?
Critic:-
That which is unlimited cannot be limited by our conception.
Comment:-
What are you talking about. If you are speaking about the thing itself then obviously our conceptions of it have no effect on it. But it is unknown to us. We know only that which affects our minds. If you are talking about what human beings think is real then it is certainly their conception which limit it. i.e. human reality is limited.
Critic:-
I wonder what you think it means to say: "Everything returns to its original" (Al Quran)
Comment:-
There is no such verse in the Quran.
What do you mean by original. The origin of things is the Command or Word of God. Where in the Quran does it mention this. If you mean the verses 8:44, 11:123, 22:76, 35:4, 57:5 these are best translated "All questions go back to Allah for decision."
The Quran says that everything will perish except Allah (28:88). It does say that Human beings, i.e. their soul will return to Allah.
"Allah originates creation, then reproduces it, then to Him will you be returned." 30:11 See also 10:31, 47, 71, 11:4, 34, 13:36, 19:40, 21:35, 28:70, 29:8,57, 30:11, 31:15, 32:11, 39:7, 40:21, 43:85, 88:25, 89:28 etc.
We may compare this to the Ocean. Waves do come out of the ocean and dissolve back into it. But we ought not to mistake the waves for the ocean.
There are three ways of looking at it - (1) A sum total of the waves which lie on the surface - this is the ordinary view. Or (2) The whole sea as a unity with all its depth. It is also possible to consider a third aspect - (3) where attention is placed only on the forces which give rise to the waves, rather than the ocean or the waves. - this would be an intermediate scientific attitude.
We have to distinguish between three types of those who call themselves Muslim or Sufis:-
(1) Real Muslims or Sufis who have reached a degree of spirituality.
(2) Pseudo-Muslims or Pseudo-Sufi who like to talk wisely about Islam, Sufism and spirituality.
(3) False Muslims and Sufis who mislead Muslims and others by presenting misunderstandings and ideas which contradict the Quran. It is these who give Sufism a bad name and repel many Muslims from Sufism.
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