Labib Mahfuj Chisty
The heart of Sufism is Ishq—the unfathomable, pure, and eternal love that creates a spiritual attraction to Allah. This love is not just a matter of feeling; it is a journey where the human heart gradually transcends ego, desire, and limitations and merges into the flow of eternal love.
In Sufism, the spiritual branch of Islam, love or Ishq is called a divine force. On the one hand, it purifies the human heart, and on the other hand, it strengthens the relationship between creation and the Creator.
What is Ishq? In the Sufi view, Ishq means a love that is full of passion and sacrifice. It manifests itself in three stages—
- Initial Love (Love of Yearning) – a yearning for Allah.
- Love of Surrender – Surrendering oneself to the love of Allah by giving up one’s will.
- Union of Ishq – Where the lover and the beloved become one; there is no more separation.
Rumi said, “Love is the bridge between you and everything.” That is, love is the bridge that takes people to Allah. Sufi saints believe that everything in the world is a medium of love. The fragrance of a flower, the softness of dew, the silence of the sky—all are reflections of love. Rabia Basri said: “I love Allah not for the sake of Paradise, nor for the fear of Hell; I love Him because He is worthy of love.” In the Sufi view, religion without love is limited to external formalities. Ishq gives life to that formality.
The stages of love or Ishq are beautifully explained in the Sufi tradition:
- Iradah – The desire to focus on Allah.
- Wala’a – To develop deep longing in the heart.
- Shagaf – To make the seed of love permanent in the heart.
- Hawa – To abandon the worldly illusions and increase the love of the Creator in the heart.
- Ishq – The stage of love where the lover and the beloved are not separate.
After passing this stage, the saint reaches Fanaa, where his own being is dissolved in the love of Allah. In Sufi philosophy, the first condition of love is to eliminate the ego or “I”. When the lover gives up all his demands and wants only Allah, then he reaches Fanaa. At the ultimate stage of love, the saint feels the presence of Allah in his heart. Rumi said: “Close your eyes. Fall in love. Stay there.” Sufi love makes a person soft, tolerant and compassionate. Pride and greed gradually disappear. Compassion for people is born. Love becomes the root of morality. Hafiz said, “Even after all this time, the Sun never says to the Earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a love like that—it lights the whole sky.”
Dhikr – Constant remembrance of Allah’s name.
Sama – Expression of love for God through music and voice.
Khalwa – Meditation and introspective journey in solitude.
Seva – Showing love and kindness towards people.
Love for creation: The fruit of love A heart that is filled with the love of Allah cannot hate anyone. Its love flows— kindness towards people, love towards nature, selfless service, this is the core teaching of Sufism—oneness in love. Love and Sufism are not just a spiritual path; they are a complete transformation of the heart. Here love is the flame, which burns away the ego and the delusion of the world, leaving only the light of Allah. As Rumi said: “Love is the whole thing. We are only pieces.” Love is the power that unites man with God and awakens infinite compassion for creation.