Love is one of the most fundamental needs of the human soul; it is the emotion that gives the greatest peace to both a person's body and soul. However, love is too comprehensive to be defined merely as a feeling because it is also a divine blessing. This powerful emotion bestowed by God is a means for a person's life to gain meaning, for them to learn patience, to develop their sense of compassion, and to mature their soul. In this respect, love is far more than an ordinary feeling; it is an art with subtleties and depth. As with all arts, to love also has its own unique rules, measures, and moral foundations.
True love does not emerge on its own; it requires deep contemplation, strong faith, and high morality. For this reason, those who are able to comprehend the art of love in depth are generally people of reason and wisdom. Love is the most fundamental and the highest emotion that most people cannot fully comprehend; it is almost like the human being's "seventh sense."
A person who thinks under the guidance of the Qur'an discovers the truth of love; learns the artistic aspect of love and directs his life by experiencing this exalted emotion with enthusiasm and depth. This person has now become an artist of love.
There are certain fundamental conditions that an artist of love must observe in order to live the art of love properly:
What does loving God above all else add to a person?
The most fundamental source of love is the love of God. A person can experience true love in proportion to the love he feels for God because God is the true source of all beauty. Fearing God, showing respect to Him, and experiencing the joy of His love bring a person's soul to a profound peace.
Trusting in God, placing one's trust in Him, and being able to see His power at every moment of life create a strong sense of security in a person's heart. When a person knows that everything comes from God, he begins to approach events more calmly, more patiently, and more wisely. This tranquil state of soul strengthens the foundation of love.
This truth is expressed in the Qur'an as follows:
Some people set up equals to Allah, loving them as they should love Allah. But those who believe have greater love for Allah. If only you could see those who do wrong at the time when they see the punishment, and that truly all strength belongs to Allah, and that Allah is severe in punishment. (Surat al-Baqara,165)
True love begins with a person's deep devotion to God. A person who loves God also approaches the servants He has created with compassion and love. Love remains incomplete without compassion. Therefore, the love of God is the most fundamental and the strongest source of the art of love.
Living the Qur'an in Every Aspect of Life
The second important condition of the art of love is to know the Qur'an well, to understand deeply the wisdom in its verses, and to live by the morality of the Qur'an in every aspect of life. The Qur'an is a Divine guide that teaches both acts of worship and human relations in the most correct manner. A person who comprehends the Qur'an deeply becomes more just, more kind, and more compassionate in human relations. This reaches such a degree that even if he appears to be suffering a loss himself, he does not abandon this morality.
This is mentioned in the Qur'an as follows:
A good action and a bad action are not the same. Repel the bad with something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone else, he will be like a bosom friend. (Surah Fussilat, 34)
Those who give in times of both ease and hardship, those who control their rage and pardon other people—Allah loves the good-doers. (Surah Al ‘Imran; 134)
A person who takes the Qur'an as his guide is patient. He builds his relationships on the foundation of loyalty and faithfulness. While acting with affection and compassion, he does not compromise on truthfulness. He possesses a clear and lucid mind. In his conduct, he gives priority to courtesy, respect, and sincerity. He possesses depth and a steadfast attitude in his decisions. Embracing conduct with self-sacrifice and attentiveness, this person is always faithful toward those around him. He gives cleanliness and order an important place in his life; he approaches aesthetic values with the sensitivity of an artist. In his speech, he gives prominence to eloquence and beauty, and shapes his thoughts with a positive perspective. He has a humble character; he avoids arrogance, selfishness, and egotism. He has a gentle and mild disposition; he makes it a fundamental principle to remain absolutely distant from angry and irritable behavior, as well as from the desire for resentment and revenge, and from feelings of hatred.
In the Qur'an, attention is drawn to these behaviors that God approves of as follows:
The servants of the All-Merciful are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant speak to them, say, "Peace." (Surat al-Furqan, 63)
You who have faith! Seek help in steadfastness and prayer. Allah is with the steadfast. (Surat al-Baqara, 153)
My son, say your prayers and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and be steadfast in the face of all that happens to you. That is certainly the most resolute course to follow. Do not avert your face from people out of haughtiness and do not strut about arrogantly on the Earth. Allah does not love anyone who is vain or boastful. Be moderate in your tread and lower your voice. The most hateful of voices is the donkey’s bray. (Surah Luqman, 17-19)
Becoming an Artist of Love Who Can Immediately Perceive Beauty
The art of love is closely related to a person's perspective on the world. The heart is enriched by the beauty that a person sees and reflects upon. A person who develops a perspective that is open to love gains the ability to perceive aesthetics and the artistry in details in every aspect of life. Details such as the delicate petals of a flower, a beautiful word spoken sincerely, the sincerity of friendship, or the flawless order in nature are among the valuable elements that strengthen love.
A person who lives the art of love strives to see and appreciate these beauties within life, just as an artist carefully observes his work. Such a perspective prevents a person from becoming trapped in negativity and directs him to discover wisdom, goodness, and the profound details in creation. Therefore, love is an elegant way of life that is consciously cultivated.
Avoiding Excuses That Extinguish Love
One of the most fundamental principles of the art of love is to absolutely avoid taking refuge behind excuses. Some people make an almost conscious effort not to love. However, a true artist of love does the opposite; he constantly seeks reasons to love, to establish friendship, and to strengthen relationships.
Anger and hatred are emotions that can develop very quickly and grow in an uncontrolled manner. A person can produce great hostility from an insignificant event. This is because the ground of anger is extremely strong, and anger has the potential to grow with very little effort. Love, on the other hand, is different; it has a sensitive and delicate structure, and is like a flower that constantly needs care, protection, and compassion. For this reason, one must absolutely avoid producing excuses for love and bringing forward conflicts of interest or personal grievances.
A sincere believer does not choose to focus on the flaws of the other person; instead, he tries to see the perfect artistry of God manifested in that person and the wisdom of creation, and he highlights the beautiful aspects of their morality and their good qualities. For true love, the pursuit of "perfection" is not sought. Therefore, love is, rather than personal interest, a sharpness of loyalty, self-sacrifice, and patience shown for the sake of God's approval.
It is revealed in the Qur'an as follows:
As for those who have faith and do right actions, the All-Merciful will bestow His love on them.” (Surah Maryam, 96)
Being Able to Go Beyond The Visible in Love
Love is an art that must be protected with delicacy and care; the true development of this art is only possible through deep faith. Just as an artist, by patiently and carefully crafting his work and showing the highest sensitivity in every detail, a true lover of love can also comprehend the details in people and in all created beauties only if he has deep faith. Just as an artist patiently and carefully works on his work and demonstrates an aesthetic sensitivity in every detail, a person who truly comprehends love can also understand life and all created beauties only when he possesses deep faith. Deep faith grants a person attentiveness and clarity of consciousness; thus, the person is able to go beyond what is seen and perceive the Divine power that protects and supports it.
With this perspective, love ceases to be an ordinary emotion; it becomes a state of consciousness that deepens in the heart of a person with the admiration that comes from recognizing the magnificent artistry of God, the beauties He has created, and His majestic manifestations. A person who looks with this consciousness becomes a true artist of love who notices beauty even in the smallest details of life, multiplies that beauty, and reflects it to his surroundings.
