There is nothing prior to love. Love is the first of the first. After everything has come to nought and perished, love still endures and will endure forever. It is eternal, and will be so for all eternity. Love is without end.
Love is an ocean.
Hell becomes Paradise for the lover. Love turns the fire into light. God is the eye by which he sees, the hand with which he holds, and the tongue with which he speaks. The dervish does not stop at the names, but discovers the Named and surrenders to his Beloved. Were he not in love, he would pass away.