A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Rabia: Spiritual Poetess of Islam |
|---|
| jannah |
| 08/26/05 at 15:35:46 |
| Rabi`a of Basra Little is known for sure about Rabi`a al-'Adawiyya al-Qaysiyya (known as Rabi`a of Basra), revered as one of the earliest and greatest Sufi mystic ascetics in Islam. She was born into poverty: the fourth girl (hence her name Rabi`a meaning "fourth") around 95-99 A.H. in Basra. It is thought she was captured after being orphaned and sold into slavery, becoming a flautist. Rabi`a was freed by her owner after an event in which he was startled by observing an enveloping radiance (sakina) around her whilst she was rapt in prayer. It is said that she retreated into the desert and began occupying herself with a life of worship. Rabi`a led a life of poverty, rejecting numerous offers of marriage including reportedly the hand of Hasan of Basra, although this is unlikely as Hasan lived decades before her and would have died when she was a young girl. Nevertheless she had many disciples who sought to learn from her and some of the most famous parables of her life depict Hasan as her student. It is reported Hasan said: "I passed one whole night and day with Rabi`a speaking of the Way and the Truth, and it never passed through my mind that I was a man nor did occur to her that she was a woman, and at the end when I looked at her, I saw myself spiritually bankrupt [i.e. spiritually worth nothing], and Rabi`a as truly sincere." 1 Rabi`a is probably best known for her emphasis on unselfish love for Allah (swt): loving Allah (swt) only for His sake, and not for fear of punishment or desire of reward. She prayed: "O Allah! If I worship You for fear of Hell, burn me in Hell, and if I worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise. But if I worship You for Your Own sake, grudge me not Your everlasting Beauty. " 1 Smith, Margaret. Rabi`a : the life " work of Rabi`a and other women mystics in Islam. (Oxford: Oneworld, 1994). p32-33. |
| 08/26/05 at 15:59:40 |
| jannah |
| Re: Rabia: Spiritual Poetess of Islam |
|---|
| jannah |
| 08/26/05 at 15:37:01 |
| How long will you keep pounding on an open door Begging for someone to open it? Rabi'a al-'Adawiyya |
| Re: Rabia: Spiritual Poetess of Islam |
|---|
| Halima |
| 08/26/05 at 18:38:26 |
| How numerous Your favors bestowed upon me, favors of gifts and grace and assistance. Your love is now my only desire and my ultimate bliss. -Rabi'a, "Rabi'a the Mystic" |
| Re: Rabia: Spiritual Poetess of Islam |
|---|
| Halima |
| 08/28/05 at 05:32:49 |
| Renunciation of the world is followed by peace; its desire brings sorrow. Restrain your desires, discipline your self, and do not allow anyone to oppress your soul. -Rabi'a, "Rabi'a the Mystic" |
| Re: Rabia: Spiritual Poetess of Islam |
|---|
| Halima |
| 09/02/05 at 17:10:32 |
| God has the power to touch the heart of the sinner, to turn him away from his wicked ways. -Rabi'a, "Rabi'a the Mystic" |
| Re: Rabia: Spiritual Poetess of Islam |
|---|
| Halima |
| 09/03/05 at 16:11:03 |
| One springtime Rabi’a entered a house, and did not come out. A follower said to her: ‘Come outside, and see the beauties of the creation.’ Rabi’a said: ‘Come inside, and see the creator. If you see the creator, you become too preoccupied to look at the creation.’ -Attar: Rabi'a |
| Re: Rabia: Spiritual Poetess of Islam |
|---|
| Halima |
| 09/06/05 at 03:03:52 |
| You are the sole companion of my heart, though my body is available for those who wish its company. This body is hospitable to its guests; the love of my heart is the guest of my soul. -Rabi'a, "Rabi’a the Mystic" |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |