Question

You have answered this query regarding the du’a of Zaynul ‘Abidin (rahimahullah). Could you clarify my concern with one of the words in this du’a which is فناء, one of the meanings of which I have found to be “annihilation.” This has created a feeling of apprehension in my mind. What is the meaning of “فناء”?

Answer

The word in question is فِناء (with a kasrah on the ف) which translates to “courtyard” and has been translated as such in the post you have alluded to. You have provided the translation for the word فَناء (with a fathah on the ف).

The narration mentions that Zaynul ‘Abidin recited this du’a when he was by the Hatim of the Ka’bah, which is the House of Allah. Therefore he would have used the word فِناء

(Refer: Al-Faraju Ba’dash Shiddah of Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Abid Dunya, Hadith: 70)

Nevertheless, annihilating oneself or surrendering one’s self to Allah is praiseworthy and should not be a cause of apprehension.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

الفرج بعد الشدة لابن أبي الدنيا
(٧٠) – حدثني محمد بن الحسين، قال: حدثني عبيد الله بن محمد التيمي، قال: حدثني شيخ مولى لعبد القيس، عن طاووس، قال: إني لفي الحجر ذات ليلة إذ دخل علي بن الحسين، فقلت: رجل صالح من أهل بيت الخير، لأستمعن إلى دعائه الليلة، فصلي ثم سجد، فأصغيت بسمعي إليه فسمعته يقول في سجوده: عبيدك بفنائك، مسكينك بفنائك، فقيرك بفنائك، سائلك بفنائك. قال طاووس: فحفظتهن فما دعوت بهن في كرب إلا فرج عني.