Sufi Love

Love is the central theme of Sufism. Through love, we can purify ourselves of negative qualities and discover the truth. There are at least two distinct developments regarding the concept of love in Sufism.

The first step is to bring divine love from the heavens down to earth. In many religious traditions, the concept of loving God or experiencing divine love is often abstract, as it is difficult to form a clear image of God. However, love needs a tangible form—something we can relate to and truly connect with.

With the introduction of the concept of the unity of Being in Sufism, Sufis recognized that although God is beyond human understanding, one can still express love for God by appreciating His manifestations, which encompass everything. The key insight is that as long as you are in a state of love, you are connecting with the divine, regardless of what you love.

The second insight is that divine love cannot be transactional; it should not rely on expectations or rewards. When we truly love someone, it must be unconditional and unwavering, regardless of the circumstances. In this sense, Sufi love encourages us to love everyone and everything without conditions. However, achieving this kind of love is, of course, easier said than done!