The Absolute Reality of Love in Sawaneh al-Ushshaq Ahmad Ghazali

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student in Persian Language and Literature, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Ilam, Ilam, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Ilam. Ilam University, Iran

3 Associate professor department of Persian Language and Lterature, Faculty of Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam Iran.

10.22103/jll.2025.25336.3195

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to demonstrate that the concept of love in Sawaneh al-Ushshaq (Occasional Inspirations of Lovers) is identical with the absolute reality, that is, God; and that the absolute reality (God) is made known through the form of love, which is one of His attributes. Accordingly, what are commonly referred to as the various kinds of love are, in fact, nothing but degrees or manifestations of God or the absolute reality of love. The love discussed and explained in Sawaneh al-Ushshaq is the absolute reality of love or the transcendent absolute reality.
Research Method: The primary source of this study was Hellmut Ritter’s critical edition of Sawaneh al-Ushshaq. Data were collected through library-based research and documentary resources. The findings were analyzed using a descriptive-analytical methodology.
Findings and Conclusion: Throughout the book, there is no discussion of pre-eternal, divine, cosmic, or human love as distinct types or categories. Love, in its hidden treasure, is free from all forms of distinction and typology. The so-called types of love are merely manifestations, appearances, or descending levels of the absolute reality of love (God), which have become determinate in the stages of ontological creation and divine legislation. The relationships of lover and beloved, determinations, distinctions, and radiances are all manifestations of that same absolute reality as it appears in the realm of contingency. Otherwise, the absolute reality of love (God), in the innermost essence of His being, is utterly transcendent beyond all directions, types, distinctions, and determinations. The results of this study were presented and elucidated through the discussion of major themes such as the absolute reality of love and monotheism, the absolute reality of love and the divine attributes, the ontological and legislative dimensions of love, pre-eternal love, divine or true love, the determination of love, the determination of loverhood and belovedness, and the permeation of love throughout the realm of contingent existence.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

     Chittick, William (2022). Divine Love. Translated by Ensh’allah Rahmati and Hossein Kiani. Tehran: Sophia. 3rd Ed. (in Persian)
     Daylami, Abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad (2011). Atf al-Alif al-Ma’luf 'ala al-La’m al-Ma’tuf. Translated by Isa Najafi and Touraj Zeinivand. Kermanshah: Razi University. (in Persian)
     Ebrahimof, Benjamin (2009). Divine Love in Islamic Mysticism. Translated by Humaira Arjany. Edited by Mostafa Malekian. Tehran: Negah-e Mo’aser. (in Persian)
     Estelami, Mohammad (2020). Encyclopedia of Sufism and Mysticism (Topics, Figures, Terms, Interpretations). Tehran: Farhang-e Mo’aser. 2 Vols. (in Persian)
     Esmaeilpour, Valiollah (2011). “The Concept of Love and its Comparison in the Intellectual System of Ahmad Ghazali and Ayn al-Qudat Hamadani with Emphasis on Sawanih al-Ushshaq, Tamhidat, Nama-ha, and Lawa’ih.” Journal of Persian Language and Literature. Winter, No. 9, pp. 26-45. (in Persian)
     Ghaffari, Shamsi, Bolakhari Qahi, Hassan (2000). “Love and Jealousy in Ahmad Ghazali’s Sawanih al-Ushshaq.” Hikmat Nameh Mafaakher. No. 5, pp. 129-141. (in Persian)
     Ghazali, Ahmad (1980). Sawaneh al-Ushshaq. Based on Hellmut Ritter’s collation, with new corrections and explanations by Nasrallah Pourjavadi. Tehran: Bonyad-e Farhang-e Iran. (in Persian)
     Kahdouei, Mohammad Kazem, Ashna, Laleh (2009). “The Concept of Love in Sawanih al-Ushshaq and Abhar al-Ashiqin.” Nameh Parsy. Issues 50 & 51, pp. 19-34. (in Persian)
     Malmali, Omidvar (2006). “Exposition of Love in Sawanih al-Ushshaq.” Journal of Religions and Mysticism. No. 8, pp. 81-95. (in Persian)
     Nozhat, Bahman (2010). “The Theory of Love in Ancient Mystical Texts based on the Works of Daylami, Ghazali, and Ruzbihan.” Journal of Persian Language and Literature. No. 43, pp. 48-62 (in Persian).
     Pournamdarian, Taghi (1995). A Meeting with the Simurgh (Seven Essays on the Mysticism and Poetry of Attar). Tehran: Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies. (in Persian)
     Pourjavadi, Nasrollah (1979). Sultan of the Path (The Life and Works of Ahmad Ghazali). Tehran: Agah. (in Persian)
     Pourjavadi, Nasrollah (2008). The Wine of Love (A Study on the Meaning of Wine in Persian Mystical Poetry). Tehran: Karnameh Publications (in Persian).
     Rudgar, Mohammad (2018). “Theoretical Foundations of Mystical Love in Ahmad Ghazali’s Sawanih al-Ushshaq.” Journal of Persian Prose Research. No. 43, pp. 135-154. (in Persian)
     Sattari, Jalal (1995). Sufi Love. Tehran: Markaz. (in Persian)
     Shaker, Karim, Esmaeili, Hossein (2018). “The Enigma of Love and Mysticism in Ahmad Ghazali’s Sawanih al-Ushshaq.” Journal of Islamic Mysticism. No. 57, pp. 311-329. (in Persian)
     Shariffian, Mehdi, Vafa’i Basir, Ahmad (2011). “Similarities between Sawanih al-Ushshaq and Tamhidat concerning Love and Mystical Thought.” Mysticism in Persian Literature (Literature and Mysticism). No. 9, pp. 91-114. (in Persian)
     Shafiei Kadkani, Mohammad Reza (2017). “Ibn Sina and the Nature of Love.” Bukhara. No. 120, pp. 13-28. (in Persian)
Journal of Prose Studies in Persian Literature
Volume 28, Issue 58
March 2026
Pages 133-150

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics