Spiritual Experiences - The Debate about Intellect and Love (`ishq)
The Debate about Intellect and Love (`ishq)
Tags: `ishq, Love, Wine of paradise, Ha'-Mim-`Ayn-Sin-Qaf, Intellect
1. The debate or question about the superiority of the intellect or love has continued from a long time back. If intellect has superiority over love then what is its evidence? On the other hand, if love is superior to intellect, what is its proof? In this regard, some learned men have emphasised the primacy of intellect and have said that nowhere in the Qur'an or the hadith has the word love (`ishq) been mentioned. They may have perhaps thought that love is something different from mahabbat (affection).
2. In this connection, the first question is whether the word love has been mentioned in any way in the wise Qur'an or not? For this, we will have to reflect with wisdom. Nonetheless it is extremely difficult, rather impossible, to separate `ishq from mahabbat because mahabbat is another name for `ishq. Refer to al-Munjid, which is a reliable dictionary: `ashiqahu, `ishqan = to be affectionate, to go beyond the bounds of affection. Therefore, it is true that a synonym of `ishq (love) in the Qur'an is hubb (= mahabbah), as mentioned in (2:165) "And those who believe, are stauncher in [their] affection (i.e., love) for Allah".
3. Everyone is aware of the historical event that Zulaykha had passionate love for Hazrat-i Yusuf (May peace be through him) due to his beauty and elegance, and this passionate love is called hubb in the Qur'an (12:30). Thus, another name for `ishq (love) is hubb (affection) as translated in this verse (12:30): "Her love for him has pierced her heart".
4. It is said in a hadith: "Amongst you, nobody can become a perfect mu'min till he loves me more than his father, his son and everyone". This is the love for the Prophet (May Allah send blessings and peace through him and his progeny) which is more excellent, more exalted than any worldly affection and love and is the most pure. Indeed, it is this love which is the means to God's love, or indirectly God's love.
5. What doubt can there be in the explanation of (16:89) that the Qur'an is such a perfect, complete and unique book, that nothing is excluded from its universal explanation. Then how is it possible for an all-inclusive subject such as love not to be there. Indeed, the mention of the pure love of God, the Prophet (May Allah send blessings and peace through him and his progeny) and the Imam is hidden in many synonyms, allusions and examples. Since it is `ishq (love) which is the secret of secrets, it is therefore mostly mentioned in a secret manner. Therefore, wherever the wine of paradise is mentioned in the Qur'an, it is the example of this heavenly `ishq (love). In this regard, true lovers say that indeed heavenly love is the wine of paradise.
6. The glory of the sanctity of heavenly love and affection is such that God has brought His great name and sacred love close to each other and has sworn on their greatness. For instance, in the beginning of surah-yi shura (S042) it says: Ha' Mim `Ayn Sin Qaf. One ta'wil of these separate letters is as follows: Ha' Mim = al hayyu'l-qayyum, `Ayn Sin Qaf = `ishq that is, 'By the supreme Name al-hayyu'l qayyum and by the heavenly love (`ishq)'. (42:1-2)
7. It is said in a hadith: "The first of what God created is the Intellect". However, most people do not think about where this magnificent work of the creation and completion of the intellect took place. Did it take place in the personal world of a beloved person of God? Yes indeed, it is correct and true. Reflect also on the following hadith carefully. "When God created the intellect, He questioned him and said to him: Come forward. He came forward. Then He said: Go back. He went back. Then He said: By My honour and majesty, I did not create a creature more beloved to Me than you. And I will not perfect you except in him whom I love. But you alone I will command and you alone I will prohibit, and you alone I will punish and you alone I will reward".
8. In the above mentioned hadith there is the story of the personal world in which the Perfect Man is first created physically, then created spiritually, then, due to being the beloved of God, the light of intellect is created in his forehead (jabin), which light gradually becomes complete and then pure intellectual life begins, with respect to which it is said: The first of what God created is the intellect.
9. From here we come to know that love is the cause, and intellect is the effect. The first is a tree and the second is its sweet fruit, it is akin to Hazrat-i Maryam (May peace be through her) and Hazrat-i Isa (May peace be through him), or a deep ocean and its precious pearl, or the mine of gems and the gem of the mine, or the heaven of wisdom and the brightest sun, or the mill of love and its product.
Zulfiqar Abad, Gilgit, 2nd June 1997
Monday, 25 Muharramu'l-harām 1418 A.H.
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