Non duality and Islam

[mary isaak]

Hi, I think real islamic teachings are very close to the non dual understanding. Any ideas on this ?

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by mary isaak

Hi, I think real islamic teachings are very close to the non dual understanding. Any ideas on this ?

One of my favorite quotes from the Quran is Surah 57-3, which does seem to suggest non-duality.
https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/57/3/

[mary isaak]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

One of my favorite quotes from the Quran is Surah 57-3, which does seem to suggest non-duality.

Thanks for the link Still_Waters, I ve read this verse many times before, but never noticed that it was about non duality. Soo interesting, Thanks!

[iamthat]

Originally Posted by mary isaak

Hi, I think real islamic teachings are very close to the non dual understanding. Any ideas on this ?

How do we define real Islamic teachings? For me, Sufism is the real heart of Islam. And in Sufism we find the concept of Wahdat al-Wujud.

From Wikipedia:

Ibn Arabi's doctrine of wahdat ul wujud focuses on the esoteric reality of creatures instead of exoteric dimension of reality. Therefore he interprets that wujud is one and unique reality from which all reality derives. The external world of sensible objects is but a fleeting shadow of the Real (al-Haq), God. God alone is the all embracing and eternal reality. ... To call wujud or Real Being "one" is to speak of the unity of the Essence.

Peace

[mary isaak]

Originally Posted by iamthat

How do we define real Islamic teachings? For me, Sufism is the real heart of Islam. And in Sufism we find the concept of Wahdat al-Wujud....

Soo interesting, yes I see Sufism as truly the heart of Islam, thank you for the reference about Ibn Arabi . However, the mainstream understanding of Islam today is very dualistic, although a big part of Quran is talking about Oneness. And, Quran considers shirk [multiplicity], usually translated as associating partners to God, as the major and unique error. It was very confusing for me until I found the teachings about Non-duality.

[Rishi27]

No, there can not be, separation in a non-dual state, Islam is all about pleasing god, and worshipping. One is not separate from god, if there is such a thing as god. One is not separate from anyone or anything, in a non-dual state. Or else it is not non-dual. Soo as long as there is worship and concepts such as, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, there can not be non-duality. Non-duality incorporate all, and dismiss it at the same time.

[mary isaak]

Originally Posted by Rishi27

No, there can not be, separation in a non-dual state, Islam is all about pleasing god, and worshipping. One is not separate from god, if there is such a thing as god. One is not separate from anyone or anything, in a non-dual state. Or else it is not non-dual. Soo as long as there is worship and concepts such as, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, there can not be non-duality. Non-duality incorporate all, and dismiss it at the same time.

I see, that is an interesting view, thanks Rishi27

[Still_Waters]

QUOTE 4 EXCERPT:

Originally Posted by iamthat

Ibn Arabi's doctrine of wahdat ul wujud focuses on the esoteric reality of creatures instead of exoteric dimension of reality. Therefore he interprets that wujud is one and unique reality from which all reality derives.

However, in his Fustus, Ibn Arabi had to be very careful in what he wrote considering the fate of the Sufi Hallaj, who proclaimed "I AM the Truth" and was executed. (Hallaj is often called the Sufi Jesus for obvious reasons with a similar fate.)

Ibn Arabi pointed carefully to non-duality by quoting the Koran and interpreting it in his own unique style lest he suffer the fate of Hallaj.

[Still_Waters]

QUOTE 6 EXCERPT:

Originally Posted by Rishi27

Islam is all about pleasing god, and worshipping.

What is taught to the devotional masses, however, can be used eventually as a stepping stone to that which lies beyond it all.

[mary isaak]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

... considering the fate of the Sufi Hallaj, who proclaimed "I AM the Truth" and was executed. (Hallaj is often called the Sufi Jesus for obvious reasons with a similar fate.)

I see, thank you for explaining why Hallaj was executed. I read some of his writings and I could not understand why they accused him of blasphemy. His writings seemed to be very aligned with Koran.

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

However, in his Fustus, Ibn Arabi ...
Ibn Arabi pointed carefully to non-duality by quoting the Koran and interpreting it in his own unique style lest he suffer the fate of Hallaj.

Thank you for explaining what Ibn Arabi Fusus is about. I tried to read it but I could not understand anything. I think this book is for the people who are well advanced in the path of Truth.