Love in Islam

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: حب (ḥubb), ود (wudd), محبه (maḥabbah), مودة (mawaddah), عشق (ʿishq)
• Turkish: Aşk

Love in the Qur’an

The Qur’an employs various terms to represent love, each carrying nuanced meanings:

1. Wudd (ود): Signifies a warmer, more affectionate form of love.

   • Sūrah xix. 96: “Verily those who believe and act aright, to them the Merciful One will give love.”

2. Ḥubb (حب): Denotes both divine and human love.

   • Sūrah v. 59: “God will bring a people whom He will love, and who will love him.”
   • Sūrah ii. 160: “They love them (idols) as they should love God, whilst those who believe love God more.”

3. Maḥabbah (محبه): Emphasizes pure, unselfish love.

   • Sūrah xx. 39: “For on thee (Moses) have I (God) cast my love.”

4. Mawaddah (مودة): Refers to mutual affection and friendship.

   • Sūrah iv. 75: “As though there were no friendship between you and him.”
   • Sūrah v. 85: “Thou will find the nearest in friendship to those who believe to be those who say We are Christians.”

From these examples, it is clear that while ‘mawaddah’ is often used in the context of friendship, other terms like ‘ḥubb’ and ‘wudd’ can apply to both divine and human forms of love.

Love in Islamic Tradition (Hadith and Sufism)

In traditional Islamic teachings, usually captured in the Hadith, ‘ḥubb’ is a term that extends to both divine and human love. For instance:

• A section of the Hadith is devoted to “Brotherly love for God’s pleasure.”

ʿĀyishah relates that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

<p>“Souls were at the first collected together like assembled armies, and then they were dispersed and sent into bodies; and that consequently those who had been acquainted with each other in the spirit world, became so in this, and those who had been strangers there would be strangers here.”</p>

Differentiation Between Types of Love

Animal Love vs. Spiritual Love

The scholar Ibn Sīnāʾ (Avicenna) and literary figures like the author of Ak͟hlāq-i-Jalālī categorize love into two primary forms:

• Animal Love (baser desires): Originates from physical appetites.
• Spiritual Love (higher spiritual connection): Arises from the harmony of souls and is considered virtuous.

Ibn Sīnāʾ suggests that the passion of love is universal, pervading all forms of existence.

Degrees of Love in Sufi Tradition

Mīr Abū ʾl-Baqā defines the ascending degrees of love, blending human emotional connections with mystical Sufi love:

1. Hawā: Inclination of the soul.
2. ʿIlāqah: Love cleaving to the heart.
3. Kalaf: Intense love with perplexity.
4. ʿIshq: Amorous desire with melancholy.
5. Shag͟haf: Ardour accompanied by pleasure.
6. Jawā: Internal love combined with desire or sorrow.
7. Tatāyum: State of enslavement to love.
8. Tabl: Love sickness.
9. Walah: Distraction with a loss of reason.
10. Ḥuyām: Overpowering love causing aimless wandering.

Sufi Mystical Love

Sufi poets like Jāmī describe divine love as an intense spiritual journey where the lover (ʿāshiq) is man and the beloved (mashʿūq) is God.

• Jāmī, in his work “Salaman and Absāl,” illustrates the joy and revelation that come from divine love.

Further Reading

For those interested in delving deeper into the complex concept of love in Islam, consider the following works:

1. “The Conference of the Birds” by Farīd ud-Dīn Attar: Provides profound insights into Sufi doctrines of divine love.
2. “Ibn Sina’s Remarks and Admonitions: Physics and Metaphysics” by Avicenna: Explores Avicenna’s philosophical perspectives on love.
3. “Rumi’s Four Essential Practices: Ecstatic Body, Awakened Soul” by Will Johnson: Offers an understanding of Rumi’s ecstatic love for the divine.
4. “The Path of Love: Understanding That Nothing is Perfect” by Kabir Helminski: Explores the path of love in a Sufi context.

Takeaways

• Terminology: The Qur’an uses diverse terms to describe various dimensions of love, from divine to interpersonal.
• Traditional Teachings: Islamic traditions distinguish between physical and spiritual love, considering the latter as virtuous.
• Mysticism: Sufi teachings elevate love as a journey toward divine union, illustrating it with a rich tapestry of poetic and mystic imagery.

Conclusion

Love in Islam, as described in the Qur’an and extended through traditional and Sufi teachings, encompasses both human and divine dimensions. It sets a framework for understanding and pursuing harmony in relationships, ethical conduct, and spiritual aspirations. The multiplicity of terms and their layered meanings invite believers and scholars alike to explore the far-reaching implications of this profound and universal concept.