What is "Ishq"

As a word in different languages

ʻIshq has a meaning of lustless love. In Arabic, which is its language of origin, it is a noun. However, in Urdu and Hindi it is used as both verb and noun. ‘Āshiq (male) and ‘Āshiqah (female) are its subjective forms. Māshūq (male) and Māshūqah (female) are its objective forms. In addition to Arabic, these forms are used in Persian, Urdu and sometimes in Hindi also.

In Urdu, Ishq (عشق) is used to refer to fervent love for any object, person or God. However, it is mostly used in its religious context. In Urdu, three very common religious terminologies have been derived from Ishq. These terminologies are Ishq-e-Haqīqi (love of God), Ishq-e majāzi (love of God's creation i.e. a human), and ishq-e rasūl or ishq-e Muhammadi (love of Muhammad). Other than these, in non-religious context, ‘ishq is a synonym for obsessive love.

As an islamic concept

In religious context, Ishq, divided into three kinds, is a very important but rather complex concept of Sufi tradition of Islam.

Ishq-e Haqīqi

Ishq-e Haqīqi (عشق حقیقی) literally means "the real love" but metaphorically it means "the love of God". It refers to the belief that only God is worth loving and He is the only one who can return His creature's love for Him.

Ishq-e Majāzi

Ishq-e Majāzi (عشق مجازی) literally means "metaphorical love". It refers to the love for God's creation i.e. love of a man for a woman and vice versa. It is said to be generated by beloved person's external beauty. According to some schools of thought in Sufism, Ishq-e Majāzi can eventually lead to Ishq-e Haqiqi.

Ishq-e Rasūl or Ishq-e Muhammadi

Ishq-e Rasūl (عشق رسول; in Arabic: ʻIshq ar-Rasūl, Arabic: عشق الرسول‎) ' means "love of Muhammad," an important part of being a Muslim. According to hadith it is necessary for a Muslim to love Muhammad more than mere human beings; even more than their own life. The love of the Prophet isIman according to Muslim belief.