Anwar-e Ma`rifat

As the most fundamental doctrine in Islamic mysticism, the particular unity of existence has been criticized by some thinkers who regard it as non-social and consequently anti-civilizational. In their criticism, the concept of "unity of existence" is considered as incompatible with community-building and social behavior, not capable of serving as a basis for the construction of Islamic civilization. If Islamic mysticism is to be considered a part of Islam and an influential thought in civilization, it is essential to address such doubts or provide appropriate justifications. In this study, using the descriptive-analytical method, the aforementioned doubt has been analyzed and answered. In addition to accepting community and being compatible with community-building, the doctrine of "unity of existence" can offer the best justification for the necessity of and inclination toward social behavior. Without this doctrine, proving such necessity would seem difficult, if not impossible. Furthermore, the paper studies the civilizational characteristics of this doctrine, showing that this mystical teaching is not anti-social and anti-civilizational and even possesses the capability to fundamentally and sometimes uniquely resolve certain social issues, such as altruism (otherness). Taking this doctrine into consideration is deemed essential in the construction of Islamic civilization.