Section on Spiritual Intoxication, Its Causes and Rulings

In the principles discussed earlier, I addressed the meanings of fanā (annihilation) found in the words of the shaykhs and Sufis, explaining that it falls into three categories: a perfect form belonging to the foremost, an imperfect form belonging to the companions of the right, and a third form belonging to wrongdoers—the wicked and the unbelievers.

The first is to cease worshipping anything besides Allah or seeking its help, so that one worships none but Allah and seeks help from none but Him. This is the religion of Islam.

The second is to lose awareness of everything besides Allah, so that what one witnesses absorbs one to the point of losing awareness of one’s own witnessing. This occurs in someone unable to combine witnessing realities with worshipping the Creator. Rather, in his experience, what he witnesses and what he worships are one; thus, he witnesses only one. This frequently befalls people such as those in this community who resemble Jesus, whose distinguishing quality is worship rather than witnessing. They possess strength in worship, turning to Allah, and love, which draws them