The Requisites of Divine Love According to the Mystical Perspective of Imam Ali (peace be upon him)(A Study of the Ninety-Ninth Sermon from Nahj al-Balagha)

Abstract

Nahj al-Balagha holds a prominent position among researchers and scholars from various affiliations and  diverse approaches, as it provides a rich source of theological, philosophical, mystical, and ethical discussions. It is considered the book that follows the Holy Quran in terms of significance, comprehensiveness, and depth, as its sermons, letters, and aphorisms contain unparalleled wisdom not found in other works, with the sole exception of the Quran. Among the remarkable speeches in which Imam Ali (peace be upon him) is the ninety-ninth sermon, which eloquently describes the states of God's friends and beloved ones—those who have reached perfection on their journey toward the Divine. In this sermon, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) outlines important characteristics of the perfected mystics, mentioning forty attributes that signify the requisites for God's love.   Thus, this study aims to explore these attributes and conditions which highlights the mystical dimension found in Nahj al-Balagha, which reflects the mystical personality of Imam Ali (peace be upon him.(