Ishq Pe Hasil Haram: Why Love Must Be Unsettling

Humans generally ‘fall’ in love expecting the ‘rise’ in their personal comfort. We innocently assume that love is that static ‘truth’ meant to soothe the heart and soul. We treat it as a one-time contractual bond that remains in effect the moment we receive a ‘go-ahead’ from the Other.

Unfortunately, our assumptions remain assumptions.

Real love is a state of continuous insecurity and vulnerability. The fragile bond is always shaky and the Beloved continues to threaten with displeasure. 

In our devotion to the Creator, we must similarly refuse to let our ‘comfort zone’ take us for a ride. Seeking the Creator’s pleasure is not a one-time transaction. Our yearning souls must remain humble, insecure and unsettled even while absorbed in the joy of worship. We should be wary of the comfort we feel in our spiritual ‘workouts’. The sweat and tears of our devotion are no guaranteed claim to His pleasure . 

You may yearn as much, but never fully possess, His love and pleasure. As Allama Iqbal observed,

Ishq Pe Bijli Halal, Ishq Pe Hasil Haram

(For Love, the lightning is lawful; but for Love, the harvest is forbidden.)

April 22 2026