Al-Baqi

The Everlasting

The One who is Everlasting, Eternal and Ever-Enduring.

Allah Almighty, may He be praised and exalted, has always existed and will never cease to be. The One whose existence has neither beginning nor end, whose existence is beyond the realm of time.

The One who existed before all of creation, and who will remain after all of His creation has come and gone.

He that is perpetual, permanent, continuous and constant.

This life is like a parade ground: everyone passes as his or her turn comes, all in different groups, under different banners, with different uniforms, marching to different music. No one is left in this world, nor is this world left with anyone. All is material, temporal, including the world itself; the whole universe, except God, The Everlasting One.

The related term ‘baqa’ means ‘eternal life’. In the state of ‘baqa billah’ there is a return from the ephemeral to the eternal, a shift from the egocentric to the Divine, where all that remains is the eternal Thou. This shift away from the ephemerality of one’s own ego being at the centre of one’s life to the divinity of the Everlasting, is often called ‘fana’, meaning ‘to fade away, dwindle, recede or come to an end.’

“In the Name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy.”

“Everyone on earth perishes; all that remains is the Face of your Lord, full of majesty, bestowing honour.” (Quran 55:26-27)

“What you have been given is only the fleeting enjoyment of this world. Far better and more lasting is what God will give to those who believe and trust in their Lord.” (Quran 42:36)

“So do not barter away your bond with God for a trifling gain! Truly, that which is with God is by far the best for you, if only you knew: what is with you is bound to come to an end, but that which s with God will endure.” (Quran 16:95-96)

 

And God knows best.

 

Extracts from:- ‘The Name and the Named’ by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak.