Divine love

• Islam – Mahabbah lillahLoving others because of Allah, not for personal gain. You support, forgive, and care for them because you seek God’s pleasure. Even if they hurt you, you still wish them well, since your love is rooted in something higher than yourself.

• Christianity – AgapeThe selfless love God shows humanity: unconditional, forgiving, and sacrificial. Humans are called to reflect this love by caring for others, even enemies, without expecting repayment.

• Hinduism/Buddhism – Karuna (Compassion)A universal compassion that extends to all beings. It means wishing happiness, healing, and liberation even for those who cause you pain. The idea is that by letting go of ego, one can love all living beings equally.

Common thread

All three traditions describe divine love as:

• Not based on self-interest.

• Rooted in forgiveness and compassion.

• A reflection of something higher than ordinary human attachment.

In your earlier story—the man who sacrifices everything and still hopes for her better future—that’s what makes his love resemble mahabbah, agape, or karuna. It rises above betrayal and remains pure, even if it leaves him suffering.