(Explanation of the statement of the people of Wahdat al-Wujud regarding the reason for Pharaoh's disbelief) They said: "And he was not a disbeliever in his saying: *** I am your Lord, Pharaoh, the one full of transgression, but it was the truth"

The Shaykh : They are now saying that when Pharaoh said, "I am your Supreme Lord," he was not a disbeliever, because this is the truth; for the created is the very essence of the Creator, so he is the Lord. However, because he specified himself, he thought that there was something specific and distinct. So he was drowned to purify him from this thought and illusion. Yes, so according to their claim, this drowning was to purify him, as he imagined and thought there was multiplicity. He said, "I am your Lord," meaning that you are created and worshipped. If he had meant unity completely, he would have said, "I and you, we are all the Lord."