A Critical Analysis of the Various Interpretations of the Theory of “Unity of Existence” in Islamic Mysticism: From the Perspective of Ibn Arabi, Mulla Sadra, and Allama Tabatabai

Abstract

The doctrine of Unity of Existence (wahdat al-wujud) posits that God is the ultimate reality, while the existence of creatures is merely incidental, representing manifestations of the Divine. This perspective is prevalent among certain Sufi mystics and contemporary philosophers. It asserts that the distinction between God and creatures allows the term “existence” to be used only in a shared sense, as it applies where entities are clearly distinguished. Essential existence is uniquely attributed to God and does not depend on anything else, even though all other existences derive from God's reality. Ibn Arabi, a key proponent of this doctrine, claims that everything is a manifestation of God, suggesting individuals can deepen their understanding of the Divine through personal mystical experiences. Mulla Sadra contributes a philosophical angle with the idea of “substantial motion,” while Allama Tabatabai critiques some conventional interpretations, stressing the importance of differentiating between the Creator and the created for conceptual clarity.