Love as the Achievement of Mystical Experience by Bergson and Iqbal: A Critical Appraisal

Henry Bergson and Mohammad Iqbal both argued that religious or mystical experience provides direct, doubt-free knowledge that can establish religious truth. They called this knowledge 'Love,' describing it as a life-force, energy, and transforming power that revolutionizes humanity. This paper critically analyzes the nature of this love, questioning its dubious ontology and the uncertainty of its claims. It also challenges Iqbal's presentation of love as an opponent of knowledge and intellect, and examines the compatibility of these views with the Qur'an. The authors express serious reservations about the nature of love in their findings.

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Abstract

Henry Bergson (1859-1941) and Mohammad Iqbal (1877-1938) wished to establish religious truth on firm grounds beyond any doubt. For this purpose, both relied heavily on Religious or Mystical Experience, which is direct and doubt-free. However, the next and most important question is: What does the mystic achieve from this experience? The answer is “Knowledge”--- but what is the nature of this knowledge and how does it differ from other types of knowledge? Why and how does the mystic (or Prophet) use it? Both Iqbal and Bergson name it ‘Love’, which is a Life-force, Energy and a ‘Transforming power’ with the help of which the person having undergone the experience revolutionises and changes the character of mankind. This paper has the objective to analyse the nature of this love, of which the ontology is dubious, therefore, its own claims may be uncertain too. Moreover, the approach of Iqbal to present love as an opponent or rival of knowledge and intellect has been questioned. Additionally to which extent these views are compatible with Qur’an have also been discussed at length. The methodology is qualitative and analytic and the authors have shown serious reservations on the nature of love in the findings.