Fanaa in Arabic means annihilation or death. The word is used in some extreme levels of Sufism to refer to the state a mystic reaches in which they have union with God. it's the state of Nirvana in which all in this universe is leveled down and reduced to one principle immanent in the world.
To extreme Sufis in this state, God dwells in every thing. As a result, dualities like God/man, and man/nature disappear. And the holy becomes equal with the unholy, the human with the nonhuman, the sacred with the profane , the relative with the absolute, the good with the evil, the above with the below, everything with everything else. Eventually, everything becomes nothing.
In this state of fanaa, God has no meaning, and humanity has no purpose or any essential value in this life. This state of Fanaa only leads to a nihilistic view of life.
Reference: http://i-epistemology.net/attachments/414_V14N1%20Spring%2097%20-%20Elmesseri%20-%20Modernity,%20Immanence,%20and%20Deconstruction.pdf
4 comments:
"This state of Fanaa only leads to a nihilistic view on life"
That's interesting and I sort of agree with that. I don't think it will lead to a nihilistic view but it could lead to a nihilistic view of life. Islam is all about balance, and anything that's is extreme is not good. There have been sufis whose beliefs were extreme, such as the belief in Wahdat-ul-Wujood.
Salaam
btw are you Bosnian?
God, humanity, nature become words that have no meaning in this state of annihliation as I understand it. So yes, my view of God, humanity, nature.. my view of life is annhilistic. You're right.
No, I'm not Bosnian lol. Alija Izetbegovic's books made a great impact on my life. I often quote his sayings.
I'm an Arab.
Thank you for your comment, Ali.
Sallam sister,
it seems that any thing which goes extreme brings anxiety. Even love which is the best gift the creator. That is why Islam teaches being balanced in all affairs.
Dear sis i like your posts. Therefore i followed you from IB till found you here. Thanks Allah.
Blue Pen : wa alaikum assalam
Islam is certainly about balance and moderation .
"But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters." Quran 28:77
Thank you so much for your kind words, Blue Pen. I'm so glad you like my posts.
Post a Comment