The Roots of Vilayat: The Connection Between Allah and the Believer
Vilayat, deeply explored in the works of Muhyiddin Ibnü'l-Arabî, known as Mujaddid-i Ekber (Reviver), is not merely a Sufi station but also a path for humanity to meet with divine love. As emphasized in the source text, progressing on this path requires believers to see each other as friends of Allah; because the attribute of al-Mu’min (the Believer) belongs both to Allah and to those who believe. This means that Allah illuminates the believers with lights, elevating them to a station superior to their own knowledge—which opens the door of the honorable hadith: “He who knows himself, knows his Lord.” Vilayat is essentially the process of realizing the truth of the *nafs-i natika* (the speaking self) and invites the believer on a journey into the depths of existence.
Believers: A Support for One Another
Ibnü'l-Arabî offers a beautiful depiction, comparing the relationship between believers to stones in a wall. This analogy expresses that faith is beyond individual responsibility and represents a social bond; each believer contributes to the strengthening of the other’s faith and morality. The verse “If you help Allah, He will help you” emphasizes the importance of this solidarity. Supporting one another encompasses not only material assistance but also spiritual guidance, patience, and offering hope; thus, each believer accompanies the other on their journey of trial.
From Humility to Light: Liberation from the Darkness of Ignorance
In the teachings of Ibnü'l-Arabî, the darkness of disbelief is the strongest darkness because it represents absolute ignorance. Allah, by befriending His servant, brings him out of this darkness of ignorance. This expresses the truth that a person cannot understand his Lord without understanding himself. Through the path of faith, man rises from possibility to necessity—it is Allah’s creation for him and he attains true existence awareness through Him. Belief is a *firda* (a unique manifestation); it is the most beautiful expression of the servant’s belonging to The Truth, and through this, man discovers the doors that open to Allah’s knowledge.