Metaphorical Love: The Why and What of metaphorical Love in Islamic Mysticism

In mystical literature, metaphorical love is a form of extreme affection that the one attached to it is of human kind. This type of love directs all the affection towards the loved one such that the lover sees none but the lover and has no wish or desire except union with her and seeking her satisfaction. The following research studies the nature of metaphorical love and the rationale for its appearance and its impact on Muslim mystics’ works since the emergence of Sufism until Ibn Arabi. Then, by examining the impact of this type of love on different stages of spiritual journey (soluk), the study concludes that based on a functionalist point of view, metaphorical love brings about a softness of heart within one’s soul that is a prerequisite of the spiritual journey. At the early stages of spiritual journey, metaphorical love would be a trial for testing the mystic wayfarer’s loyalty and his/her adherence to Shariat (Islamic law), a type of Shariat that is the main road of the Taqriqat (spiritual path). In the middle of spiritual journey, metaphorical love can help the mystic pass from diversity (kasrat) to unity (vahdat). For the united mystic, metaphorical love adjusts divine love that leads to his passing from fanaa (passing away or annihilation) to baqaa (subsistence or permanency). Finally, the mystic can experience the metaphorical love at any stage of his spiritual journey that due to its nature and rational is distinct from higher and lower positions.