A Comparative Study of Virtual and Mystical Love from the Perspective of Ahmad Ghazali and Ayn Al-Quzat (with Emphasis on Sawaneḥ Al-oshagh & Tamhidaat

Human love, which often appears in Sufis’ teachings with the expression of virtual love, is one of the complex and difficult issues in Islamic mysticism. Some consider it to be the beginning of mystical love and some deny it. Ahmad Ghazali and Ayn ol-Quzat Hamedani are among the first people who wrote about love, its types, moods and characteristics in a special way in Persian literature. In the present study, which was prepared using a descriptive-analytical method, an attempt has been made to answer this basic question, what is Ahmad Ghazali's and Ayn Al-Quzat's views on virtual and mystical love? And what are the points of commonality and difference between the two? The results of the research show that Ghazali considers speculation permissible by referring to prophetic hadiths, and on the other hand, he considers appearances as a bridge to reach the inner truth. Ayn Al-Quzat also considers it harmless to be attached to these appearances if it is in the way of connecting with God's beloved and beloved. Eternity, coercion and the dangerous path of love are common points of mystical love in accidents and plans..