In Sufism, “ishq” refers to a profound, divine love that transcends the physical and material aspects of existence. It is often translated as "love," but in Sufi philosophy, it carries a deeper, more spiritual connotation—denoting an intense and passionate love for God, the Beloved. This love is not limited to worldly affection; it represents the soul’s yearning for union with the Divine and the ultimate truth.
In Sufism, ishq is often categorized into two types:
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Ishq-e-Majazi (Metaphorical Love): This is the worldly love that one experiences for another human being, which, while significant, is seen as a reflection or symbol of divine love. It's often the starting point that leads a person toward a deeper understanding of spiritual love.
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Ishq-e-Haqiqi (True/Divine Love): This is the ultimate form of love, directed toward God. In this state, the Sufi lover seeks to annihilate the ego (self) and dissolve into the presence of the Divine. The goal is to reach fana (annihilation in God) and eventually baqa (eternal subsistence in God), where the self becomes one with the Beloved.
In Sufi poetry and literature, ishq is often symbolized through metaphors of longing, burning, or intoxication, reflecting the consuming nature of this love and the ecstatic state it brings to the seeker. For Sufis, ishq is the driving force behind the mystical journey, guiding the seeker to self-purification and the ultimate reunion with God.
The stages of love reflect the deepening relationship between the individual (the lover) and God (the Beloved), often described as a journey of purification, self-annihilation, and ultimate union. Although different Sufi masters may outline these stages in slightly different ways, the following progression is common in Sufi thought:
So, what are the stages of love in Sufism?
1. Ishq-e-Majazi (Metaphorical or Earthly Love)
This is the initial stage where love is experienced in the material world, often in the form of love for another person. In Sufi thought, this worldly love serves as a reflection or metaphor for divine love. It's seen as a preliminary step, guiding the seeker toward a higher realization of the spiritual aspects of love.
2. Ishq-e-Haqiqi (True or Divine Love)
Once the seeker recognizes the limitations of earthly love, they begin to focus on love for God, referred to as ishq-e-haqiqi. This stage marks the transition from attachment to worldly forms of love to the pursuit of divine love, which is absolute and unconditional. Here, the seeker’s heart is fully turned toward God, and the pursuit of God becomes the sole aim.
3. Shawq (Yearning)
At this stage, the lover (seeker) experiences intense longing or yearning (shawq) for union with God. The separation from the Beloved causes a kind of spiritual restlessness, and this yearning propels the seeker forward on their path. Sufi poetry often describes this stage in terms of burning desire or intoxication, where the lover is consumed by the thought of the Beloved.
4. Mahabbat (Love)
In the stage of mahabbat, love becomes purer and more selfless. Here, the lover moves from longing to a deeper, more refined state of love, which involves acceptance and surrender to God’s will. The lover no longer seeks anything for themselves but exists only to love and serve the Beloved. The ego starts to dissolve, and love is felt as a force of connection between the lover and the Divine.
5. ‘Uboodiyyah (Servanthood or Devotion)
This stage emphasizes total devotion and submission to the will of God. The seeker adopts a state of complete servitude (‘uboodiyyah), recognizing themselves as nothing before God. This humility and self-surrender help to extinguish the ego (self) and bring the lover closer to the Beloved. Love here manifests in the form of obedience, worship, and constant remembrance of God.
6. Fana (Annihilation in God)
In this stage, the lover reaches the state of fana—the annihilation of the self in the Divine. The individual ego and personal desires are dissolved completely, and the seeker no longer exists as a separate entity. Instead, they are absorbed into God’s presence. The lover no longer sees themselves apart from the Beloved; only God remains. This stage represents the dissolution of the duality between lover and Beloved.
7. Baqa (Subsistence in God)
After annihilation in God, the final stage is baqa, or subsistence in God. Here, the seeker returns to the world but continues to live in constant awareness of and connection with the Divine. In baqa, the lover exists in a state of eternal union with God while still being able to function in the world. The ego has been transcended, and the individual acts purely as an instrument of divine will.
8. Wisal (Union with the Beloved)
The ultimate culmination of the Sufi path is wisal, the state of perfect union with the Beloved. At this point, there is no separation between the lover and God. It is the realization of the oneness of existence, where the lover is fully merged with the Divine. This state is often described as a profound, ineffable peace and fulfillment.