Examination and Comparison of Fate, Love, and World-Avoidance in the Works of Plotinus and Jami

Fate, love, and world-avoidance are among the most fundamental and frequently addressed intellectual foundations shared by thinkers of mysticism, such as Plotinus, and enlightened poets like Jami. Mystic philosophers believe that the origin, existence, and ultimate destiny of humans are based on divine fate, adorned with the delicacy of love, the most beloved grace of God. Human absorption in this love can lead to salvation from the veils of tyranny and luminosity in the creation of the realm, facilitating ascension towards perfection and eternal proximity. This research aims to analytically and descriptively explore the concepts of fate, love, and world-avoidance, relying on the views of Plotinus, a pioneer in the philosophy of mysticism. The study also investigates the perspective of Nūr ad-Dīn 'Abd ar-Rahmān Jami on these concepts. The author seeks to answer the questions of how Plotinus and Jami perceive fate, love, and world-avoidance, and what intellectual commonalities exist between them in this regard. The findings of the research show that Plotin and Jami consider destiny as a general plan governing the universe. These two extremes consider love to be "one", and virtual love is only a means to reach the Supreme. Both of them believe that the fleeting world is not worthy of attachment and emphasize the necessity of self-cultivation and giving up attachments.