Ishq-majazi & ishq-haqiqi
Material love vs real love
Hardly we come across anyone in this world who did not feel the sensation, ecstasy, Josh or passion (Jajba) of love (Ishq) in their life. Yes, the stages of love might differ in scales from person to person. The object also may differ, which could be either material, thing, person or God. Feeling of love comes in various forms in our lives. The above two words Ishq-mazaji and Ishq-haqiqi are generally used in Sufism, where the love (Ishq) is described at two different levels/ scales. A person may think that he/she understands the Ishq in all its perspectives and manifestations, however, when a person enters in love in reality he/she may realize that it’s not easy to understand “Ishq”. I believe Ishq is an emotion, to be realized and expressed at the same time for an object, thing, person or God. It is difficult to explain its effects and manifestations. Let’s spend a few minutes to explore the above two terms further.
In Arabic language, including the Indian subcontinent, Ishq means love or passion / affections/ affairs, relationship, etc., however, the classical writers classified Ishq in many other terms like; natural love, intellectual love, love at first site, divine love, etc. Sufism (a mystical branch of Islam) refers Ishq as love for God/ Allah/ Ishawar/ almighty/creator of universe. It explains Ishq into three different forms (a) Ishq-e-Majazi (b) Ishq-e-Rasul and (c) Ishq-e-haqiqi.
Ishq-e-Majazi:
As the meaning of word “Mazaj” means “mood”, “temperament” or “disposition” at a particular time, the literatures describe Ishq-e-Majazi as love for material things or worldly affairs or “earthly love” or “love of mortals”. It is described in various forms, expressions, feelings, emotions by the “Poets” and “Sukhanwars” (Shayars). We all know Ishq can’t happen with efforts, it requires nothing but an emotional bondage from with in, which comes automatically. Once a person falls in love for an object, material, animal, person or God, he/she realizes its intensity, depth and actual effects. In extreme sense there is a famous saying that “everything is right in love and war”. So Ishq has various manifestations in its journey. Ishq-e-Majazi is earthly love, its temporary, it comes and goes, it appears and vanishes with lives of material or person. People suddenly find themselves into love for someone, called “love at first sight”, which could be unconditional and so on so forth. Several examples can be quoted to express the Ishq-e-Mazaji, who actually lived into it during their lives, like Shirin-Farhad*, Laila-Maznu$, Heer-Ranja# and many more. Some literatures from Sufism further explains a middle stage for the Ishq, before reaching to the next level of Ishq-e-haqiqi, which is called Ishq-e-Rasul.
*The tragic love story of Shirin and Farhad (dates probably 1550 in Iran), a popular tale in Persian literature, centers around a sculptor named Farhad who falls in love with Shirin, a princess. Their love is forbidden, leading to Farhad's death and Shirin's suicide.
$Laila and Majnu are characters in an ancient Arabic love story, with the most famous version being immortalized by Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi in the 12th century. While the story's origins are believed to be in Arabia, the specific location mentioned is in what is now the Al-Aflaj province in Saudi Arabia. The story has also been adapted and retold in various languages and cultures, including Persia, Turkey, and the Indian subcontinent.
#Heer Ranjha is a classic tragic romance from Punjabi folklore, best known through the epic poem "Heer" by Waris Shah. The story tells of the love between Heer, a young woman, and Ranjha, a man who is later known as Dheedo. Their love is ultimately thwarted by family conflicts and societal pressures, leading to a tragic end.
Ishq Mohammadi or Ishq-e-Rasul:
Ishq-e-Rasul is considered a crucial aspect of Muslim's faith, as it strengthens their connection with God and the Prophet Muhammad. This is different from the one called Ishq-mazaji; which is a material love. The examples of this form of love (Ishq) in Indian context could be Chaitany Mahaprabhu, who expressed Ishq for Lord Krishna, Poet Tulasi Das who expressed his attachment to Bhagwan Ram, etc. There are many examples in various religions and mythologies which uses emotional bondage called “belief”. The Islam following Muslims express their love for the Prophet through various means, including reciting qasidas (poems of praise), reading nafers (hymns -to thank God) and even performing acts of charity in the Prophet's name. The Hindu’s recite bhajans to pray their Gods and in holy Gurudwara “Sabad” is recited to pray for “wahe-guru”. Christians offers carols-prayers for Prabhu Ishu.
Sufism, considers Ishq-e-Rasool a deeply intertwined with the concept of "Ishq”, which signifies intense love and devotion towards universe and its creator. They often express this love through poetry, music, and other artistic forms, one can find various examples of Ishq-e-Rasool in Islamic literature, poetry, and music, etc., even in other literatures.
Ishq-e-haqiqi:
The term Haqiqi explains as “in reality”, the literatures, especially the Sufi literatures have believed mostly into Ishq-e-Haqiqi (real love with the creator of the universe). They believe that Ishq-e-Majazi and Ishq-e rasul could be a ladder to achieve final love the Ishq-e-Haqiqi. Some believe Ishq-e-Haqiqi could be achieved even without Ishq-e-Majazi. They believe that there are souls which directly reach to the next level of Ishq the Ishq-e-Haqiqi, without much efforts. It happens due to their earned good deeds (sanchay karma) in their past lives. This belief is prevalent only in those literatures which believes in reincarnations (the punarjanm siddhant).
Rekhta describe: "Ishq-e-Majazi" as a term used in Urdu and Persian literature that translates to "earthly love" or "love of the mortal." It contrasts with "Ishq-e-Haqiqi," which means "divine love" or "spiritual love." The concept of Ishq-e-Majazi often refers to romantic, physical, or passionate love between individuals, typically characterized by longing, desire, and emotional connection.
In literature and poetry, Ishq-e-Majazi is often explored through the lens of romantic relationships and can serve as a metaphor for the soul's yearning for the divine. Many poets, such as Mirza Ghalib and Allama Iqbal, have addressed this theme, illustrating the complexities of love and its various manifestations.
Overall, Ishq-e-Majazi plays a significant role in the cultural and artistic expressions of love (Ishq) in South Asian literature, highlighting the interplay between human emotions and aspirations. Source: Rekhta (https://www.rekhtadictionary.com/meaning-of-ishq-e-majaazii)
A few quotes from unknown shayar (poets):
हक़ीक़ी इश्क़ की इश्क़-ए-मजाज़ी पहली मंज़िल है
चलो सु-ए-ख़ुदा ऐ ज़ाहिदों कू-ए-बुताँ हो कर
शायर: अनजान
मोमिन ख़ुदा के वास्ते ऐसा मकां न छोड़
दोज़ख़ में डाल ख़ुल्द को कू-ए-बुताँ न छोड़
शायर : मोमिन खाँ मोमिन
कठिन शब्द: सु-ए-ख़ुदा= ईश्वर की ओर जाने की राह; ज़ाहिदों=ईश्वर का भजन या ध्यान करने वाला; कू-ए-बुताँ = महबूब का घर या गली; मकां= अवसर, रेहाइश; दोज़ख= नर्क; ख़ुल्द= स्वर्ग