Concept of Love from Rūzbahān Baqlī’s Viewpoint

Subject Areas : Christianity

محمودرضا اسفندیار ¹ , فاطمه سلیمانی کوشالی ²

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Received: 2010-07-22 Accepted : 2010-08-13 Published : 2010-03-21

Keywords: Rūzbahān Baqlī, Abhar al-‘Āshiqīn, Divine Love, lover, beloved, beauty–worshiping,

Abstract :

Love has a significant place in the mysticism of Rūzbahān Baqlī– theprominent mystic of the 12th century. Dealing with the concept of loveis the continuation of a tradition that dates back to the early generationsof Sufis. This tradition noticeably has been reflected in Rūzbahān’sworks, especially in his Abhar al-‘Āshiqīn. In fact, he constructed hismystical path on the basis of love. He believed that love has floweddown into the whole chain of beings, from the highest level to thelowest one.From his point of view, love is one of the God’s attributes. SinceGod’s attributes are inseparable from His essence, and the essence ofGod is ineffable, so love is ineffable too. Therefore, only love coulddescribe itself. Love has no limitations; so, only love can transform therelationship between the Creator and the creature into a relationshipbetween the lover and the Beloved. Rūzbahān considers human beingas a manifestation of God’s beauty. He admires physical beauty andgoodness as an essential element for falling in love and so he believesin an eternal relation between goodness and love. He considers earthylove as a motivating factor for attaining the divine love. By presentingdifferent categories of love, he shows the way to go through this path.