Sufi path of love

“Madhhab al-ishq” translates to “school of passionate love” and refers to the Sufi mystical path focused on divine love (ishq) for Allah. It is a central concept in Islamic mysticism (Sufism) and describes a “selfless and burning love” for the Divine, with the ultimate goal being union with God through the annihilation of the self. While the term “madhhab” usually refers to schools of Islamic jurisprudence, “madhhab al-ishq” describes this spiritual path of love, distinct from the legal schools.

Key aspects of the Sufi path of love

The nature of ishq: While hubb (love) is used in the Quran, ishq represents a deeper, more passionate, and sometimes overwhelming love for the Divine. It is the culmination of hubb that leads to complete surrender to God’s will.
The goal of the path: The path is a journey of spiritual and psychological development where the mystic strives to attain divine love and knowledge (gnosis).
Stages of the path: Mystics pass through different spiritual “stations” (maqaam) and experiences of grace (“states” or hal) to reach their goal.
Annihilation of self: The ultimate stage is fana’ (annihilation of the self) in God, which results in a state of spiritual union with the Divine.
Contrast with jurisprudence: The term “madhhab” can also refer to the four main schools of Islamic law (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali). However, “madhhab al-ishq” is not a legal school but a mystical and spiritual path that operates within the broader framework of Islamic belief and practice.