The Concept of «Fana» in the Works of Ibn Arabi and Rumi

Abstract

The concept of "Fana" is one of the main pillars in Islamic mysticism and plays a fundamental role in the mystical journey. Ibn Arabi and Rumi, as two pinnacles of Islamic thought, each approach the explication of this concept with a unique perspective. The aim of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis of these two thinkers' interpretations of the concept of Fana, with an emphasis on its Quranic and Hadith-based foundations, to elucidate their similarities, differences, and methodologies in understanding Fana. This research employs an analytical-comparative method with a qualitative approach. The primary sources include Ibn Arabi’s Fusus al-Hikam and Futuhat al-Makkiyya , as well as Rumi’s Masnavi-ye Ma'navi , with relevant Quranic verses and Prophetic Hadiths being examined as interpretive and hermeneutical sources. The findings of the study show that despite differences in language, method, and intellectual structure, both Ibn Arabi and Rumi share a common understanding of Fana as a stage of transcendence from the self and the realization of Baqa Billah (Subsistence in God) . Ibn Arabi interprets Fana within the framework of his theory of the Unity of Being, presenting it in an ontological and conceptual context, while Rumi sees it as a romantic and mystical experience expressed through allegory and poetry. In the interpretation of Quranic verses and Hadiths, Ibn Arabi tends to rational and systematic exegesis, whereas Rumi uses these texts to evoke feelings and convey inner experiences. For both mystics, Fana is seen as a necessary step in the spiritual journey and the attainment of the truth of divine unity