Ishq

Ishq is a term used in Persian, Urdu, Arabic and related languages to denote a form of intense love that can be romantic, platonic, or spiritual. Etymologically from the Arabic عِشْق (ishq), the word has connotations of ardent devotion beyond ordinary affection. In South Asian literature and Sufism, ishq is commonly analyzed through two idealized dimensions: ishq-e-majazi (relative or worldly love) and ishq-e-haqiqi (absolute or divine love). The latter refers to the soul's longing for the divine and is a central motif in many Sufi poets and mystics, who describe the lover as annihilated in the beloved (fana) and the separation as a path to unity with God.

In Urdu and Persian poetry, ishq is celebrated for its transformative potential; poets such as Rumi, Hafiz, and later South Asian poets used ishq to explore desire, longing, and spiritual ascent. The concept also informs ethical and philosophical discussions about passion, self-control, and surrender.

In modern popular culture, Ishq appears as a common title and theme in Indian and Pakistani cinema, music, and literature, reflecting its broad resonance for both romantic and spiritual meanings. Films, novels, and songs often foreground ishq as a powerful, sometimes perilous, force that tests loyalty and identity.

See also: Ishq-e-majazi, Ishq-e-haqiqi, Sufi literature, Urdu poetry.