Investigation of the role of love in human evolution according to Sâdî-î Şîrâzî's Bostân and Gülistân

Sa'dî-i Şîrâzî (d.691/1292), an important figure of Persian Literature, which is a branch of the common Islamic literary tradition, draws various road maps for humanity with Sufistic and moral advice in his works called Bostân and Gülistân, written in masnavi verse form. Studies on Bostân and Gülistân are generally based on advice and sermon. The aim of this study; is to examine Bostân and Gülistân from the perspective of "love", which is one of the most important topics of Islamic literature in general and Turkish-Islamic literature in particular. Sa'dî-i Şîrâzî thinks that human evolution is possible with love. In the study, first of all, the life and works of Sa''dî-i Şîrâzî were discussed. Then, the concepts of love and human being were examined and various opinions regarding the effect of love on human evolution were included. The study also touched upon the concepts of love and affection in the Holy Quran, hadith and Sufism sources. Finally, the love depicted in Bostân and Gülistân it has been examined under the headings of human and divine love.