Question:
Assalamualaikum shaykh,
I want to ask who is siva and visnu are they angels?
thank you
regards
Answer:
Wa `alaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullah.
The curious book known in Arabic as Hawd ul-hayat purports to contain the teachings of a yogi who had become convinced of the truth of Islam. Although the study of this book in India may not be out of place, its presence in an Ottoman milieu – where it was studied within the Mevlevi order in particular – is quite remarkable, as is its regular attribution to Shaykh Muhyiddin, may Allah sanctify his secret. According to this book, Vishnu is none other than Musa, peace be upon him. Concerning Shiva, and considering the special relationship of Matsyendranath with Shiva, it is perhaps worth noting that in this same book the founder of the Nath lineage is identified with the prophet Yunus, peace be upon him.
To prevent such simple identifications from leading to confusion, it is perhaps helpful to consider the great work of the Greatest Shaykh, the Fusus ul-hikam. This work is a presentation of wisdoms belonging to the prophets sent to humanity, with its 27 chapters corresponding to the 27 prophets named in the Holy Qur’an. These 27 are enough to represent all 124,000 prophets whose names may or may not be known to Islamic history. In other words, even prophets – or their inheritors – from foreign sources may be associated through their wisdoms with one or another of these Qur’anic prophets, for example Musa and Yunus, peace be upon them.
As always, Allah and His Messenger and the Knowers know best.
Mahmoud Shelton
