Kitab al-Fana' fi-l Mushahadah

Its central topic is, as its title suggests, the path of mystical unveiling which leads to the contemplation of God. Although at first sight it may seem like a defense of the spiritual way against the attacks of rationalists and dogmatic theologians, on closer inspection it turns out to be a set of indications and exhortations for those on the path to undergo the spiritual death (fanâ') and be realised in the contemplation. More than this: it is nothing other than the inner meaning of the Bayyinah (clear proof) which is the 98th Sura of the Quran.

The long section on the manâzil (abodes or waystations) in the Futuhat al-Makkiyyah, comprising chapters 270 to 383, corresponds to the 114 Suras of the Quran and presents their details in reverse order, so the first manzil illuminates the last Sura and so on (for this correspondence we are indebted to Michel Chodkiewicz's brilliant analysis at a recent conference in Murcia). The 98th Sura, the Bayyinah, corresponds to the 14th manzil, which is chapter 286, entitled "Of the knowledge of the one who is ordered to become, refused and so is not from the Muhammedian Presence." In this chapter we find "The Book of Annihilation in the Contemplation" mentioned as being a portion of this manzil, and when we look closely at the Sura in question, we can discern the illuminations that the Shaykh produces. Indeed we might add that the text of this treatise is itself a bayyinah in so far as the meanings impress themselves upon the alert reader.

The term bayyinah (related to the word "baina" meaning "between") is used to indicate a messenger from God to the heart of the gnostic, bearing knowledge of divine truths, which allows the eye of the contemplator to see things exactly as they are. We have translated it as "clear proof", since it carries the meaning of both incontrovertible evidence and something brilliantly clear. There is a definite emphasis both in the Sura and the treatise upon the importance of purity: in the Quranic passage there are four separate words used, mutahhar (immaculate), mukhlis (liberated, from ikklas), zakawat (usually translated as alms-giving, but carries more the sense of purification), and salihat (unblemished, proper in action). The following translation of the Sura, with notes of how this appears in the text, is an attempt to indicate a little of the extraordinary depth of exposition by the Shaykh, but we are sure others will find fresh meanings for themselves.

Source: Section from the article 'Kitab al-Fana' fi-l Mushahadah' - Available for download once logged in