Fana (Sufism)

Fanaa (Arabic: فناء fanāʾ ) in Sufism is the "passing away" or "annihilation" (of the self).^[1] Fana means "to die before one dies", a concept highlighted by famous notable Persian mystics such as Rumi.^[2]^[3] There is controversy around what Fana exactly is, with some Sufis defining it as the absolute annihilation of the human ego before God, whereby the self becomes an instrument of God's plan in the world (Baqaa).^[4]

Other Sufis also interpret it as breaking down of the individual ego and a recognition of the fundamental unity of God, creation, and the individual self. However, persons having entered this enlightened state are said to obtain absolute awareness of an intrinsic unity (Tawhid) between God (Allah) and all that exists, including the individual themselves. This second interpretation has sometimes been decried by religious and political authorities as heretical, famously in the execution of Mansur al-Hallaj.^[1]^[4]^[5]^[6]

^ ^a ^b Harmless, William. Mystics. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008
^ Rumi, Raza (2008-09-17). "Fana: When the ego gets annihilated". Raza Rumi. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
^ Mystics, William Harmless. Oxford University Press, USA, 2008. Page 187
^ ^a ^b Yaran, Cafer. Muslim religious experiences. Alister Hardy Religious Experience Research Centre, 2004.
^ "Fana in Sufism". Britannica.
^ "Al-Ḥallāj | Islamic Mystic, Sufi Martyr & Poet | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-11-30.

[harmless-1] Harmless, William. Mystics. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008

[Bāhū1998-2] Rumi, Raza (2008-09-17). "Fana: When the ego gets annihilated". Raza Rumi. Retrieved 2024-05-29.

[3] Mystics, William Harmless. Oxford University Press, USA, 2008. Page 187

[yaran-4] Yaran, Cafer. Muslim religious experiences. Alister Hardy Religious Experience Research Centre, 2004.

[5] "Fana in Sufism". Britannica.

[6] "Al-Ḥallāj | Islamic Mystic, Sufi Martyr & Poet | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-11-30.

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