Hazrat Rabia Basri Trailblazer Sufi Saint
As a 21st century kid, at a time when competiton and technology are booming, i am aware that life is all about practicality, about profit and loss. So the word 'selfless' might not figure in our lexicon. And religion is largely relegated to performance of rituals only-that too for fulfilment of desires. We just observed Women's Day on March 8; it made me think about a woman who had only one need and one love-to immerse herself in the love of God. In her prayer she says: 'O God! 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 She might not be as popular as Rumi but her story resonates and reaffirms the true significance of the term 'selfless love'. She is Rabia Basri also known as Rabi'ah al-Basri, Sufi saint from Iraq, considered to be the first female Sufi Saint of Islam, in a long line of female Sufi mystics, renowned for her virtue and piety as a devoted ascetic. Once Malik bin Dinaar went to visit Hazrat Rabia. He found in her home only a partly broken jug which she used for wudhu (ablution) and drinking water, an old straw-mat on which she slept and a brick which she used as pillow. He said, I have many affluent friends. Shall I ask them to bring some items for you Hazrat Rabia said, 'O Malik? Is my Provider, your Provider and the Provider of the wealthy not the same Being?" Malik said, 'Yes." Hazrat Rabia then said, 'What, has He forgotten about the needs of the poor on account of their poverty while he remembers the needs of the wealthy?" Malik bin Dinaar said, It is not so.' Hazrat Rabia then said, 'When He never forgets anyone, why should we remind Him? He has wished this condition for me and I am pleased with it because it is His pleasure. Rabia was born in the 8th century in Basra, a seaport in southern Iraq where she spent most of her life. Much of her early life is narrated by Hazrat Wahiduddin Attar, a later Sufi saint and poet. She did not leave any written works herself Hazrat Wahiduddin Attar praised the status of this female Sufi saint. He says: 'No, she wasn't a single woman, Bute hundred men over: Robed in the quintessence of pain From foot to face, immersed in the Truth, Effaced in the radiance of God, And liberated from all superfluous excess.' The great woman mystic, saint and Calandra of Islam had overcome her self (Nafs) through devotion, meditation contemplation, patience as well trust in God (Tawwakul). Rabiawconstantly absorbed in the though God and had reached the pinnacle mystic path-Fina-Fillah. More interesting than her asceticism, however, is the actual concept of Divine love that HazraRabia reaffirmed. She was the firsto introduce the idea that God shove loved for God's own sake, not out of fear. Hazrat Rabia Basri taught tharepentance was a gift from God be no one could repent unless God already accepted her and given Thof repentance. She taught that sin must fear the punishment they defor their sins, but she also offered sinners far more hope of Paradise most other ascetics did.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Masha Hassan urti and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Masha Hassan and Speaking Tree ,Times of India
Hazrat Rabia Basri Trailblazer Sufi Saint
As a 21st century kid, at a time when competiton and technology are booming, i am aware that life is all about practicality, about profit and loss. So the word 'selfless' might not figure in our lexicon. And religion is largely relegated to performance of rituals only-that too for fulfilment of desires. We just observed Women's Day on March 8; it made me think about a woman who had only one need and one love-to immerse herself in the love of God. In her prayer she says: 'O God! 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 She might not be as popular as Rumi but her story resonates and reaffirms the true significance of the term 'selfless love'. She is Rabia Basri also known as Rabi'ah al-Basri, Sufi saint from Iraq, considered to be the first female Sufi Saint of Islam, in a long line of female Sufi mystics, renowned for her virtue and piety as a devoted ascetic. Once Malik bin Dinaar went to visit Hazrat Rabia. He found in her home only a partly broken jug which she used for wudhu (ablution) and drinking water, an old straw-mat on which she slept and a brick which she used as pillow. He said, I have many affluent friends. Shall I ask them to bring some items for you Hazrat Rabia said, 'O Malik? Is my Provider, your Provider and the Provider of the wealthy not the same Being?" Malik said, 'Yes." Hazrat Rabia then said, 'What, has He forgotten about the needs of the poor on account of their poverty while he remembers the needs of the wealthy?" Malik bin Dinaar said, It is not so.' Hazrat Rabia then said, 'When He never forgets anyone, why should we remind Him? He has wished this condition for me and I am pleased with it because it is His pleasure. Rabia was born in the 8th century in Basra, a seaport in southern Iraq where she spent most of her life. Much of her early life is narrated by Hazrat Wahiduddin Attar, a later Sufi saint and poet. She did not leave any written works herself Hazrat Wahiduddin Attar praised the status of this female Sufi saint. He says: 'No, she wasn't a single woman, Bute hundred men over: Robed in the quintessence of pain From foot to face, immersed in the Truth, Effaced in the radiance of God, And liberated from all superfluous excess.' The great woman mystic, saint and Calandra of Islam had overcome her self (Nafs) through devotion, meditation contemplation, patience as well trust in God (Tawwakul). Rabiawconstantly absorbed in the though God and had reached the pinnacle mystic path-Fina-Fillah. More interesting than her asceticism, however, is the actual concept of Divine love that HazraRabia reaffirmed. She was the firsto introduce the idea that God shove loved for God's own sake, not out of fear. Hazrat Rabia Basri taught tharepentance was a gift from God be no one could repent unless God already accepted her and given Thof repentance. She taught that sin must fear the punishment they defor their sins, but she also offered sinners far more hope of Paradise most other ascetics did.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Masha Hassan urti and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Masha Hassan and Speaking Tree ,Times of India