CONCEPT OF BEAUTY AND LOVE IN ALISHER NAVOI’S POETRY

Abstract

Alisher Navoi occupies a central place in the history of Turkic literature, not only as a master poet but also as a thinker who articulated profound philosophical and ethical ideas through poetic form. Among the dominant themes of his literary heritage, beauty (husn) and love (ishq) hold a particularly significant position. This article examines how the concepts of beauty and love are represented in Navoi’s poetry and explores their aesthetic, philosophical, and spiritual dimensions. Using qualitative textual and thematic analysis of selected ghazals and masnavis, the study reveals that Navoi’s treatment of beauty and love transcends romantic expression and reflects a complex synthesis of artistic imagery, Sufi philosophy, and humanistic values. The findings suggest that Navoi presents beauty as both a physical and metaphysical phenomenon, while love functions as a transformative force leading the individual toward moral perfection and divine truth