ABSTRACT

The two theories of divine love that are examined in this book have their foundations in Greek, Jewish, Christian and Muslim ideas. Al-Ghazâlî (twelfth century) was influenced mainly by Plato and Ibn Sina's teachings, while al-Dabbâgh (thirteenth century), who accepted some Ghazâlîan notions, developed a theory of divine love that can be traced back to Neoplatonism. Both scholars created complete theories of divine love that include definitions of love, its causes and signs, the ways to love God, God's love for man, and kinds of love. The book will interest students of theology, philosophy and mysticism in general, and students of Islam in particular.

chapter 1|4 pages

Love in Greek philosophy

chapter 2|4 pages

Love in Judaism

chapter 3|4 pages

Love in Christianity

chapter 4|29 pages

Love in Islam

chapter 1|1 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|8 pages

Definition, principles and causes of love

chapter 3|8 pages

The causes of the love for God

chapter 4|19 pages

The way to love God

chapter 5|5 pages

The signs of love

chapter 6|1 pages

God's love for man

chapter 7|3 pages

Summary

part III|1 pages

Al-Dabbâgh's theory of divine love

chapter 1|3 pages

The definition of love

chapter 2|9 pages

The human aspect in the love for God

chapter 3|5 pages

The emanative aspect in the love for God

chapter 4|8 pages

Perfection, beauty, and pleasure

chapter 5|3 pages

Affinity as a cause of love

chapter 6|5 pages

The classification of love

chapter 7|4 pages

Kinds of lovers

chapter 8|6 pages

Stations and states of lovers

chapter 9|4 pages

The relations between the states

chapter 10|2 pages

Summary