Divine Love in Islamic Mysticism: The Teachings of al-Ghazali and al-Dabbagh

The two theories of divine love that are examined in this book have their foundations in Greek, Jewish, Christian and Muslim ideas. Al-Ghaz'lî (twelfth century) was influenced mainly by Plato and Ibn Sina's teachings, while al-Dabb'gh (thirteenth century), who accepted some Ghaz'lîan 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.