“A life without love is of no account.
Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, eastern or western…divisions only lead to more divisions.

Love has no labels, no definitions. It is what it is, pure and simple.
Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire!
The universe turns differently when fire loves water.”
-Shams Of Tabriz

• “A life without love is of no account.”: Shams begins with a bold statement, emphasizing that love is the very essence that gives life meaning. Without love, life lacks depth and purpose. This assertion reflects the belief that love is not merely an emotion but a fundamental force that infuses existence with significance.
• “Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, eastern or western… divisions only lead to more divisions.”: Here, Shams advises against categorizing love based on labels or boundaries. Whether it’s “spiritual” or “material,” “divine” or “mundane,” love transcends these distinctions. By dividing love into types, we limit its expansive nature and create artificial separations that prevent us from experiencing it fully. This part of the quote echoes a central theme in Sufism — the idea that the Divine is beyond categories, and so is love. It urges us to embrace love in its purest, most unified form.
• “Love has no labels, no definitions. It is what it is, pure and simple.”: Love, according to Shams, is beyond definition. It doesn’t need labels because it is an experience that exists in its purest state, beyond the constructs of language or concept. This aligns with many mystical traditions, where love is considered an ineffable force that connects us to the divine and to each other in its rawest form.
• “Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire!”: This metaphor compares love to water, a vital force that nourishes all life. Water, in many spiritual traditions, symbolizes purity, fluidity, and life itself. A “lover” here is described as a “soul of fire,” suggesting that true love burns intensely, creating transformation and energy. Fire, often symbolizing passion, purity, and spiritual awakening, contrasts with water’s calm and nurturing qualities, yet they complement each other, showing how love can be both nourishing and transformative.
• “The universe turns differently when fire loves water.”: The final line brings these metaphors together, indicating that when the passionate “fire” of the lover connects with the nourishing “water” of love, a profound transformation occurs. The union of these two forces alters the very fabric of existence. It suggests that love — when approached without judgment or limitation — has the power to shift perceptions and change the world. It represents a balance of opposing forces coming together to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

In sum, Shams of Tabriz’s quote offers a powerful perspective on love, urging us to move beyond distinctions and labels, to embrace love in its purest form. It invites us to recognize love as a force that transcends the mundane and connects us to a higher, universal truth. The imagery of water and fire beautifully captures the idea that love, in its most authentic state, both sustains and transforms the soul.