In Book 3 of Jalaluddin Rumi's Masnavi, the Sufi states of spiritual annihilation ($fana$) and subsistence ($baqa$) are explained using the metaphor of a candle's flame before the sun. Rumi argues that just as a candle's light is entirely overwhelmed and rendered invisible by the sun's absolute brilliance, the dervish's individual attributes and ego are annihilated in the overwhelming presence of the Divine. However, the candle's physical essence remains—demonstrated by its ability to ignite cotton if touched to it. Similarly, while the dervish's self-directed will and distinct identity are negated ($fana$), their pure spiritual essence continues to exist ($baqa$), surviving in a state of absolute divine absorption.