Verse 165 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the pivotal verses of the Holy Quran, opens a gateway towards a profound understanding of the essence of love (hubb) and affection (wudd) in human identity and his relationship with the Divine Reality. This verse, through a multifaceted lens encompassing theological, philosophical, psychological, and sociological perspectives, elucidates the status of love in human destiny and his connection with existence.
In this work, adopting a scientific and systematic approach, a comprehensive analysis of this verse is undertaken, exploring all its aspectsfrom the etymology of the terms to their existential and practical functions. The objective of this treatise is to offer a deep and academic exegesis for educated audiences seeking a more precise understanding of the relationship between man, God, and the cosmos.
Love (hubb) constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of human identity, playing an unparalleled role in cognition, religious knowledge, and the determination of human destiny. This concept, in verse 165 of Surah Al-Baqarah, forms the core of analysing the behavioural patterns of the faithful and the disbelievers. Love is like a seed sown within the human heart which, through growth over time, transforms into a motivating force for guidance or deviation.
The word hub derives from the root abba, meaning seed or grain. This seed, when placed in the soil of the human heart, grows and transforms into love. The beloved is elevated within the lovers existence, becoming an existential power that determines the course of their life.
From a philosophical viewpoint, hub represents the human existential capacity to move towards perfection. Psychologically, this growth reflects the impact of environment and experience in shaping emotions. Theologically, hub is a divine gift that directs humans either towards God or towards deviation.
Love develops and matures within the passage of time. The duration of companionship with a person or object intensifies the strength and depth of love. This growth is observable even in antagonistic relationships, such as enmity; for instance, an enemy may become attached to their enmity to such an extent that the absence of the adversary causes fear, leading them to nurture this attachment within their being.
From a psychological perspective, this phenomenon refers to emotional learning mechanisms and the reinforcement of human bonds. Sociologically, love in contradictory relationships illustrates the role of conflicts in preserving group cohesion. Theologically, this attachment indicates a deviation from divine love towards egoistic inclinations.
Love, as a foundational force in human identity, operates across all dimensions of human existencefrom religious cognition to social relations. This force, rooted in the seed metaphor, grows within the passage of time and guides man either towards perfection or deviation. A precise understanding of this concept necessitates a multifaceted perspective encompassing theological, philosophical, and psychological dimensions.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَتَّخِذُ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَنْدَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِلَّهِ ۗ
Among mankind are those who take, besides Allah, rivals they love as they should love Allah; but those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.
Verse 165 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by distinguishing between the love of believers and disbelievers, points to the difference in the quality and orientation of hubb. The disbelievers direct their love towards rivals of God, whereas believers, with deeper love, belong to God. This difference is rooted not only in the intensity of love but also in its volitional and practical nature.
No entity in the universefrom the Creator to inanimate objectsis devoid of love and belovedness. God is both the Lover (yuibbuhum) and the Beloved (aabba Allah). The universe, as a vessel of love, encompasses all beings.
Philosophically, love as an existential principle connects all hierarchies of existence. Theologically, this universality manifests divine mercy guiding all beings towards perfection. Psychologically, love reflects the fundamental need of beings for connection and belonging.
With advancement in existential levels, hubb elevates to ishq (love in its highest form). Ishq, like a current flowing from earth to the divine throne, permeates all levels of existence. This elevation brings humans closer to unity with the Divine Truth.
Mystically, ishq is the supreme degree of love leading man towards divine unity. Philosophically, this elevation symbolizes the transition from potentiality to actuality. Psychologically, love is a fusion of desire and will directed towards action.
Verse 165 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by emphasizing the difference between the love of believers and disbelievers, highlights the importance of the orientation of love in the divine path. Love, as an existential force, flows throughout all levels of being and, by elevating to passion, directs humans towards perfection. This verse invites man to reflect on the quality of his love.
Hub involves a volitional attraction oriented towards realities and action, whereas wudd is merely a desire or inclination without will directed towards unreal or impossible matters. This distinction plays a key role in the identity and function of these two concepts.
Philosophically, hub is a rational choice; wudd is an instinctive impulse. Psychologically, hub accompanies decision-making and action; wudd is limited to longing and unattainable wishes. Theologically, hub orients towards divine truth, while wudd gravitates towards illusions and deviations.
In the Quran, wudd appears 29 times, referring to unreal and impossible inclinations, such as the desire of disbelievers to return believers to disbelief. These inclinations lack will and action and are confined to fantasy.
وَدَّ كَثِيرٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ إِيمَانِكُمْ كُفَّارًا
Many among the People of the Book would like to turn you back to disbelief after you have believed.
Rhetorically, the use of wudd emphasises the imaginary nature of the desires of disbelievers. Psychologically, these tendencies refer to mechanisms of longing. Theologically, wudd indicates distance from the truth.
Hub occurs 96 times in the Quran as a volitional and practical force distinct from wudd. This frequency illustrates the significance of action and will in religion.
Theologically, this prevalence underscores the priority of practical faith. Psychologically, hub guides humans towards action and perfection. Sociologically, hub leads to practical commitment within religious communities.
The distinction between hub and wudd constitutes a critical aspect of the interpretation of verse 165 of Surah Al-Baqarah. Hub, accompanied by will and action, directs humans toward truth, whereas wudd, due to its imaginary nature, causes deviation. This differentiation invites reflection on the quality of ones inclinations.
Love is present not only in humans and animals but also in angels, devils, plants, and even inanimate objects. This love manifests in the forms of glorification, sanctification, and prostration at various existential levels.
Philosophically, this perspective aligns with the doctrine of the unity of existence, which regards all beings as possessing consciousness and inclinations.
