Invitation to Die to Creation and Desire
In Sufi ethics, “Fanā,” meaning spiritual death, is not a physical annihilation but rather the heart’s liberation from attachment to creation, desire (hevâ), and personal will. Abdülkadir Geylânî (may Allah be pleased with him) describes this transformative process as follows: When you die to creation, it is said to you, “May Allah have mercy on you and kill you in your desires!” When you die to your desires, it is said to you, “May Allah have mercy on you and resurrect you from your will and desire with a life that knows no death.” These stages allow the nafs (ego) to gradually detach itself from all transient expectations and focus solely on God.
Living by God’s Will After Transcending One’s Own
The servant who attains true resurrection no longer acts according to his own selfish desires but is moved by God’s grace and will. May you be enriched with a wealth that knows no poverty thereafter, may you be blessed with a generosity that knows no deprivation thereafter. May you be comforted with a peace that knows no misery thereafter, may you be graced with a blessing that knows no sorrow thereafter. May you be illuminated with knowledge that knows no ignorance thereafter, and may you attain a certainty free from fear. That servant has become the freest person on earth; for there are no worldly ties left to enslave him.
Becoming Possessor of True Tawhid (Oneness) and Certainty
The servant who dissolves his illusory self in the path of God steps into eternal sovereignty while still in this world. Until hopes are realized, words are confirmed. Thus, you become a red sulfur (kibrît-i ahmer) unseen by the eye, an Exalted One (azîz) unlike any other, a precious jewel (güzîde) without a partner, and the Unique (yegâne) like no other. Guardianship (wilāyat) is sealed with you! You become one of the abdals! Calamities are averted from you by the people of insight (havvas), the common folk (avvām), those in between (serhattakîn), the shepherds, the flock, the imams, the ummah, and all humanity. You become the ruler of lands and servants. For when you transcend your illusory self among the people, you are counted as dead; if Allah wills, you will speak.