Istihlāk is a state of fanāʾ (annihilation in God). In this maqām (spiritual station), the servant cannot perceive the diversity in the manifestation of the Divine Essence (al-Dhāt) due to the changes in the tajalliyāt (manifestations) within the Divine Names (asmāʾ). These are among the characteristics of baqāʾ (subsistence in God) that follow fanāʾ. This is an ailment that is removed due to manifestation and disclosure, and it is a sought-after maʿrifa (gnosis, experiential knowledge of God). This maʿrifa is the reason for the creation of the world. (Asfār, 46)
(See also fanāʾ–baqāʾ)