An Examination of the Manifestations of Divine and Human Love in Lyric and Mystical Literature with Emphasis on the Ghazals of Hafez and the Ghazaliyāt of Rumi

Abstract

Love is one of the most fundamental concepts in Persian literature and occupies a central position in the works of major poets, particularly Hafez and Rumi. This study was conducted with the aim of examining the manifestations of human love and divine love in lyric and mystical literature, with emphasis on the ghazals of Hafez and the Ghazaliyāt of Rumi. The research method is descriptive–analytical and is based on the study of library sources. This article first explains the concepts of human love and divine love within the Persian literary and mystical tradition and subsequently investigates and analyzes the manifestations of these two forms of love in the poetry of Hafez and Rumi. The findings of the study indicate that in the ghazals of Hafez, love generally possesses a multilayered nature and stands at the boundary between human and spiritual experience, in such a way that the beloved may simultaneously represent both an earthly manifestation and a symbol of a transcendent truth. In contrast, in the Ghazaliyāt of Rumi, love predominantly possesses a divine and mystical nature and is presented as a fundamental force in spiritual wayfaring and in attaining truth. Ultimately, the comparative examination of the works of these two poets demonstrates that although both employ symbolic language and common literary elements, differences in their perspectives and worldviews have caused the concept of love in their poetry to assume distinct yet complementary manifestations. This reflects the richness and breadth of the concept of love in Persian literature.