The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 60
60. Essence of Islam-III indicates the three grades of the perfection of good fortune, namely fanā [extinction of the self], baqā [revival] and liqā' [communion. ] 'Complete submission to Allah' means to surrender to Him all human faculties and organs, and whatever belongs to oneself, and to dedicate everything to the cause of God. This condition is described as fanā [extinction of the self. ] When a person, conforming with the purpose of this verse, submits the whole of his being and his faculties to God Almighty, and dedicates himself to His cause, and wholly refrains from all personal moves and rests, then undoubtedly he experiences a type of death. The Sufis designate such death as fanā. . Then, the expression, 'and acts righteously', points to the stage of baqa [revival. ] When a person, after complete surrender and abandonment of all personal desires and the cessation of all personal movement, begins to move in obedience to Divine direction, such revival is called baqā. Then follows the verse: فلة أجرُهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ وَ لا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ 52. This signifies affirmation, acceptance and reward and negates fear and grief. This condition refers to liqā' [communion. ] For, when a person achieves such a high grade in his comprehension of the Divine, certainty, trust and love as to exclude all imagination and fancy and doubt concerning the reward of his sincerity and faith and loyalty, which becomes so certain and absolute and visible and perceptible as if he is already enjoying it, and come upon such, neither shall they grieve. '-Al-Baqarah, 2:113 52 Ibid. [Publisher]