ITTIHAD dan HULUL dalam TASAWUF part 15

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses two key concepts in Sufism: Ittihad and Hulul. Ittihad refers to the idea of unity with God, achieved through spiritual purification and ascension, where the Sufi's soul merges with the divine. Hulul, on the other hand, involves God descending into a human body, embodying a specific individual after their humanity is eradicated. The speaker explains the teachings of notable Sufi figures such as Abu Yazid al-Bustami and Mansur al-Hallaj, and compares the similarities and differences between Ittihad and Hulul. The discussion aims to deepen understanding of these mystical concepts in Sufism.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Ittihad* in Sufism refers to the concept of the soul merging or becoming one with Allah after undergoing spiritual purification.
• 😀 The term *Ittihad* is derived from the Arabic root 'Wahid,' meaning unity or oneness.
• 😀 According to Abu Yazid al-Bustami, *Ittihad* signifies a deep spiritual integration with Allah, marking the highest level of a Sufi's spiritual journey.
• 😀 To reach *Ittihad*, a Sufi must pass through two key stages: *Fana* (annihilation of the self) and *Baqa* (eternal existence in the awareness of Allah).
• 😀 *Fana* involves eliminating worldly desires and attachments, leaving only the presence of Allah in the heart of the Sufi.
• 😀 *Baqa* follows *Fana* and represents the Sufi's continued existence with a constant awareness of Allah.
• 😀 *Hulul*, derived from the Arabic word 'Hala,' means to dwell or reside. It refers to the belief that Allah can manifest within a purified human body.
• 😀 *Hulul* was popularized by Mansur al-Hallaj, who believed that God can temporarily inhabit a human form after the individual undergoes spiritual purification.
• 😀 While *Ittihad* is about the soul merging with Allah, *Hulul* focuses on the divine descending into a human body, creating a union without complete annihilation of the human form.
• 😀 The key difference between *Ittihad* and *Hulul* is that in *Ittihad*, the human soul ascends and merges with God, while in *Hulul*, God inhabits the human form, with the individual retaining their humanity.

Q & A

What does 'Ittihad' mean in the context of Sufism?

'Ittihad' refers to the concept of union or integration, where a Sufi merges with Allah, transcending human identity in a spiritual state. It signifies a deep connection and unity with the divine after purging oneself of worldly desires.

Who is credited with popularizing the concept of 'Ittihad' in Sufism?

The concept of 'Ittihad' was largely popularized by Abu Yazid al-Busthami, who believed that human beings could integrate with Allah after purging the self of worldly attributes.

What is the significance of the stages of 'Fana' and 'Baqa' in 'Ittihad'?

In 'Ittihad', the stages of 'Fana' (annihilation) and 'Baqa' (subsistence) are crucial. 'Fana' involves the dissolution of personal traits and ego, while 'Baqa' is the subsequent state where only the divine essence remains within the individual.

How does 'Ittihad' differ from the concept of 'hulul' in Sufism?

'Ittihad' involves the ascent of the human soul to unite with Allah, while 'hulul' is the belief that Allah descends and occupies the body of a chosen human. In 'Ittihad', the divine soul merges with the human spirit, whereas in 'hulul', the divine takes residence within the human body.

What does 'hulul' mean in Sufism?

'Hulul' refers to the concept where Allah is believed to inhabit the body of a selected human being. This is viewed as a divine manifestation within the human form after the person has transcended their humanity through 'Fana'.

Who is known for popularizing the concept of 'hulul' in Sufism?

'Hulul' was promoted by Mansur al-Hallaj, who argued that at certain stages, a Sufi could merge with Allah, wherein the human body becomes a vessel for divine presence.

What is the main difference between the terms 'Ittihad' and 'hulul' in Sufism?

'Ittihad' refers to the unification of the human soul with Allah's essence, whereas 'hulul' describes the descent of divine presence into the human body, with a focus on the merging of both divine and human attributes within a person.

What did Abu Yazid al-Busthami believe about human beings and their relationship with Allah?

Abu Yazid al-Busthami believed that humans are reflections of divine light ('nur ilahi'), and through self-purification, a human can lose their personal identity, ultimately merging with Allah’s essence.

According to the transcript, what happens when a Sufi reaches the stage of 'Fana'?

When a Sufi reaches the stage of 'Fana', they experience the dissolution of their ego and human attributes, leaving only the divine essence. At this point, they are completely absorbed in Allah.

What role do mystical utterances play in the concept of 'hulul'?

In 'hulul', mystical utterances or 'gumaman' are believed to emerge as a result of divine love overwhelming the human soul. These utterances are seen not as originating from the essence of Allah, but rather as expressions of divine spirit ('An-nasut') taking residence in the human body.