Labib Mahfuj Chisty
People fear death. Death means the end of everything—of the body, of relationships, of the known world. But for Sufis, ‘death’ is not something to fear, but rather it is the beginning of an immense beauty. They find full life in death, and glorious union in separation. In this article, we will know what ‘death’ is in the eyes of Sufis, what is Fana and Baka; the mystery of two spiritual levels, and how this philosophy opens up new horizons in our spiritual life.
- What is ‘death’ in the eyes of Sufism?
In a general sense, death means the separation of the body. But in the language of Sufis, ‘death’ is the liberation of the soul, the dissolution of one’s own existence, and the eternal union of the lover with the lover. Die before you die – Hadith. Based on this hadith, the Sufis say that real life begins with spiritual death—where there is no ‘I’, only ‘you’. This ‘you’ means Allah. - Fana: The dissolution of the soul
The word fana (فناء) comes from the Arabic ‘فناء’, which means to disappear, to disappear. In Sufi terms, fana means to dissolve one’s ego, desires, thoughts, and even existence in Allah and become empty. When the soul no longer says “I” but says “you”, then that is the beginning of fana.
The three stages of fana –
Fana an-nafs (dissolution of the soul) – emptying one’s desires and inclinations.
Fana an-arad (dissolution of will) – giving priority to the pleasure of Allah over one’s own wants and desires.
Fana an-ana (dissolution of ego) – the dissolution of the “I” entity.
Hazrat Bayazid Bustami (RA) said – I lost myself and found my Lord.
- Baqaa: The destination after Fana
After Fana comes Baqa (بقاء). This is an Arabic word, which means – to remain immovable, to be eternal. In Sufism, Baqaa means to become eternal in the reflection of the qualities of Allah. To be dyed in the color of Allah (Sibghatallah). To live in the nature of Allah without leaving one’s own being. The one who has lost himself in Fana, he survives in the light of Allah in Baqa. As it is said about the Prophet (PBUH) – he is a human being, but Baqa in the form of light. - Fana and Baqa: A loving revolution
These two stages are actually the journey of love. Fana is to destroy one’s own existence and enter the existence of the lover. Baqa is to live in the color of that lover and live in his presence forever. This path is not short, it is one of self-sacrifice, of pure love, and of complete surrender. When you lose yourself, you find Him. Hazrat Rumi (RA). - Sufi Saints’ Experience of Fana
Various Sufi saints have described the state of Fana in their autobiographies or poems. Hazrat Mansur al-Hallaj (RA) said: “Anal-Haqq” (I am the Truth). This means that he lost his own existence and merged with the essence of Allah. This is the state of Fana. Although society did not understand it. Hazrat Rabia Basri (RA) said that she dissolved everything in her love for Allah. Her prayer was: O Allah, I do not love You in the hope of Paradise, nor out of fear of Hell, but because You are worthy of love. - The form of Fana in the language of music and Qawwali
The music, Qawwali and Ghazal of Sufis also smell of Fana. When the qawwali is sung, “Tu hi tu hi, bas tu hi tu hi,” it is actually a declaration of the soul’s surrender. I do not exist, only you exist. This lover-lover relationship is the ultimate form of fana. - The teachings of fana and baka for today’s generation
In today’s world, people are self-centered, full of ego, and immersed in self-satisfaction. The teaching of fana is – destroy your greed, jealousy, and pride. Purify your soul for the sake of Allah. The teaching of baka is to retain your good qualities for the sake of Allah. Leave your ego aside and be a representative of Allah in the world. - Fana-baka and modern mental health
Self-centeredness and ego give rise to depression, sadness, and loneliness. The practice of Sufism’s Fana relieves the burden of the soul, breaks the ego and opens the heart, purifies the soul with the love of Allah, this is a kind of deep meditation or meditative state, which is much deeper than modern therapy. - The opposite of Fana in Sufism: Hypocrisy and Riya
Sufis say – those who worship externally, but do not have the love of Allah in their hearts – they have not yet come to the path of Fana. Fana is not possible through Riyakar (showing piety). Fana and Baka are elusive without purification of the soul and true death. - Conclusion: True death is life
In the language of Sufis, ‘death’ does not mean the dissolution of existence, but rather it is the true realization of existence. When the soul says “I am not, you are all” – at that moment it reaches the love of Allah, the light of Allah, the existence of Allah. This journey of fana and Baka is difficult, but nothing is impossible for the lover. And a heart that has once opened the door to death never remains empty again.