Kun Faya Kun - meaning and the philosophy behind the lyrics
From its Quranic origins to A.R. Rahman's soul-stirring composition. Learn how this divine phrase meaning 'Be, and it becomes' transformed into a musical masterpiece
The phrase comes from scripture, and a simple breakdown is:
"Kun" (کن) means "Be"
"Fa" (ف) is a conjunction meaning "then"
"Yakun" (یکون) means "it becomes/is"
Combined, it literally translates to "Be, and it becomes". Describing the power of divine manifestation and the immediacy of providence. Poetically, it can be interpreted as the power of God’s love to change a person’s heart, as the Director does in the movie version of the song.
The composer Rahman is on record saying it is one of the most powerful words from scripture, and he was scared to attempt to put a sound to it. Being a literal description of how the Creator did their creation, it’s a feeling best left undescribed. With enough years you begin to observe people manifesting everything from nothing, and you realize this might be how God willed life and the universe to be.
The song draws you in. It was initially intended to be in Bhairavi, but the music director could not stick to it and swayed onto foreign notes. I’m not complaining, though.
Here’s a longer deep dive into the philosophy and some cinema history thrown in as a bonus. Credits to - Things you didn’t know about Kun Faaya Kun (Rockstar)
The influence of Sufism on India’s socio-cultural fabric was multifaceted. Sufi scholars' ideas, such as vernacularism, social reform and integration, and inclusivity, among other things, are still alive in music, poetry, and literature.
Finally, after all the rambling, it is time to listen to it again. Here’s an unplugged jam involving ARR and Mohit Chauhan singing this song. Enjoy!
Thank you!