Ahadiyah and Wahidiyah
Question: Could you please explain the concepts of "Ahadiyah" and "Wahidiyah"?
Answer: Both "Ahad" and "Wahid" mean "one" or "unity." As you noticed, the term "unity" has two related yet distinct meanings:
Unity, sameness: Coming together as a nation, unity in the sense of collective identity, sharing the same feelings, and being subject to the same laws. It is the meaning conveyed in expressions like "They are all one."
Singularity, uniqueness: Being alone among crowds, being distinct from others as an individual. It is the meaning found in expressions like "standing alone".
Now, the names "Ahadiyah" and "Wahidiyah" are used to express Allah's manifestations in both of these senses. (1)
Wahid: This refers to Allah's simultaneous manifestation to all His servants at once. Examples include providing sustenance to all His servants, rotating all planets in the solar system, and hearing the prayers of all servants individually and collectively.
When contemplating Allah's attribute of Vahid, one perceives the mercy and wisdom operating in Allah's universal laws. This leads to recognizing Allah as the "Lord of the worlds, the God of everything, the Sovereign of all".
Ahad: This is the unique manifestation of Allah to each of His servants individually, showing special care for them as individuals. It involves granting distinct blessings to each person and making them feel their "specialness" in His eyes.
Contemplating the attribute of Ehad, we see the unique mercy of our Lord and the exceptions within universal laws. It allows us to recognize Allah as "My Lord, my God, the One who heals me when I am sick, hears my voice when I call to Him, and knows my small needs". (2)
A crucial point is that people and the media often discuss Vahidi manifestations (even if they are not aware of the names). Sometimes such discussions may evoke a sense of constriction, gloom, and hopelessness. However, Ehad manifestations are always delightful, sweet, and hopeful.
For instance, when a specific group of people in a country faces oppression due to reasons like human behavior or media negligence, it is a Vahidi manifestation. Meanwhile, an individual living in that country can have their prayers accepted through an Ehad manifestation, ensuring they don't suffer due to the impact of those prayers.
Similarly, the collective martyrdom of all the males from the family of the Prophet in Karbala is a Vahidi manifestation. Yet, the survival of Ali Zeyn el-Abidin in that incident is an Ehad manifestation.
In the Ehad circle, prayers are more easily and quickly accepted compared to the Vahidi circle. Vahidi manifestations follow the laws set by Allah from eternity and are not altered unless necessitated by wisdom. Ehad manifestations, however, focus on individuality and exceptions, and exceptional kindness can occur at any moment.
1-) Lane's Lexicon (http://www.tyndalearchive.com/TABS/Lane/)
2-) 20th Letter, The Letters, Bediüzzaman Said Nursi