المعنى الاصطلاحي

A state that comes upon the heart and makes one unaware of his thoughts and presence.

الشرح المختصر

Istilaam (self-effacement) is a Sufi term. It is a level of "fanaa" (annihilation) to the Sufis, where one becomes unaware of his mind, thought process, and existence and only witnesses the existence of Allah. The opposite term is "hudoor" (presence) and "sahw" (awakening), both of which mean the Sufi's return to his senses after his mental absence. "Istilaam", in Sufi understanding, happens when the mystic becomes engrossed in remembering and loving Allah, the Exalted, until he forgets himself. It is known through both Shariah and reason that remembering Allah does not engender such states. It rather brings about comfort and tranquility. The absence of the mind and understanding, thereby being unaware of one's self and the universe, is a dispraised state and not a fruit of legitimate "dhikr" (remembrance of Allah).

التعريف اللغوي المختصر

"Istilaam": annihilation. Original meaning: cutting at the roots. Other meanings: extirpation, eradication, elimination.

التعريف

Consuming love. This is one the Sufi terms.