WIJDÂN – وجدان

Literally and Etymologically:

Literally, it denotes inner sentiment, moral conscience or a ma’nawî perception. Etymologically, it derives from the verbal root w-j-d (و-ج-د), which fundamentally signifies finding, perceiving and experiencing.

Wijdân is directly bound to essential concepts that penetrate its core meaning, both through etymological roots (w-j-d) and profound conceptual intersections:

• Wujûd (وُجُود) — True Existence and Absolute Reality: By its fitrah, the wijdân turns away from transient and perishable beings and yearns for true, imperishable and eternal existence. Ultimately, it finds al-Wâjib al-Wujûd, and by relating (intisâb) itself to Him through îmân, it ascends to a true and everlasting level of existence.

• Wajd (وَجْد) — Profound Ma’nawî Joy and Devotion: The state of profound ma’nawî rapture and direct inner experience arising from finding haqiqah and being connected with al-Haqq and al-Wâjib al-Wujûd by relating (intisâb) itself to Him through îmân, ma’rifatullah and obedience.

• Jazbah (جَذْبَة) and Injizâb (إِنْجِذَاب) — Sacred Attraction and Pull: The ma’nawî gravity embedded within the wijdân, which perpetually draws man’s rûh toward its Creator.

As an Islamic Term:

A ma’nawî faculty of man that, by fitrah, distinguishes between right and wrong or good and evil, taking profound pleasure in goodness and righteousness while suffering deep pain and remorse due to wrongdoing and sins. Rooted in the uncorrupted fitrah of man, it serves as an untarnished internal mirror and an inner proof that, by its fitrah, perceives, searches for and inclines toward its Creator, unless it is afflicted by the plague of materialism, sins or dhalâlah.

Even if the intellect fails to see or neglects what it sees, the wijdân cannot forget the Creator; it continually directs the human heart toward Him. Through its conscious realisation of man's infinite impotence (‘ajz) and poverty (faqr), the wijdân always searches for a point of support against infinite enemies and a point of succour for endless needs; it thus perpetually opens two windows facing the court of rahmah of al-Qadîr, Who is Rahîm, where it can see and seek refuge in His qoudrah for protection and His rahmah for the fulfilment of its needs. It attains its ultimate illumination and tranquility when crowned with the nûr of îmân.

Furthermore, as the conscious aspect of human fitrah, the wijdân yearns for eternal happiness. Nothing other than eternity can fulfil this innate longing, proving that man is created for eternal life.