Spektrum Iran

Richard Rolle and Aḥmad Ḡazālī with an Emphasis on Fire of Love and Sawāniḥ al-ʻušāq

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

Zohre Hemmat 1
Fatemeh Lajevardi 2

1 Science and Research branch of Islamic Azad University

2 Assistant Professor, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran (Assistant Professor), Iran

Abstract
This study compares the views of Richard Rolle (ca. 1300- 1349), an English hermit, mystic, writer and Bible interpreter and Aḥ mad Ḡ azālī (ca. 1060- 1126), an Iranian mystic, writer and preacher on love. These mystics have spoken of love in detail in their works, Fire of Love and Sawāniḥ al-ʻušāq and have shared their mystical experiences with readers. Topics on love in these two books include the essence of love, the beloved, characteristics of a lover, essentials of love, and results of love. Re-examining these categories illustrates the differences and similarities between the two mystics' views on the concept of love. The ideas of Rolle and Ḡ azālī are overlapping in the nature of love, but their views differ significantly on other topics. From Rolle's point of view, love can not be realized except through the religious context and Christian ethics, and it only makes sense in relation to God, Christ, and the Trinity. However, in Ḡ azālī's view, the ontological and psychological aspects of love are more intense, and it is capable of being experienced in relation to God and his creatures. The present study compares the view of this two mystics on the Essense of love in detail.

Keywords

Richard Rolle
Aḥmad Ḡazālī
Fire of Love
Sawāniḥ al-ʻušāq
love
mystical love
divine love

Subjects

Spektrum Iran
Volume 32, Issue 2
September 2019
Pages 97-112

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