Hazrat Rabia Basri: The Mystic of Divine Love
Hazrat Rabia Basri (717–801 CE) was one of the most revered female Sufi saints in Islamic history. She is remembered for her deep devotion, ascetic lifestyle, and unwavering love for Allah. Unlike many scholars and religious figures of her time, she did not focus on theological debates but instead dedicated her life to experiencing and expressing divine love. Her teachings and poetry continue to inspire spiritual seekers across the world.
Early Life and Background
Hazrat Rabia Basri was born in Basra, Iraq, in the early 8th century. She belonged to a poor family and was the fourth daughter of her parents. It is said that her parents were so poor that they had no oil to light a lamp when she was born, nor could they afford to wrap her in cloth.
After the death of her parents, Rabia was captured by slave traders and sold into slavery. Despite her hardships, she remained devoted to prayer and worship. Her constant connection with Allah and her deep spirituality amazed those around her.
According to legend, one night, her master saw a divine light surrounding her as she prayed. Recognizing her extraordinary spiritual status, he freed her immediately. After gaining her freedom, she chose to live a life of solitude, dedicating herself entirely to worship.
Spiritual Journey and Teachings
Rabia Basri is considered one of the pioneers of the concept of Divine Love (Ishq-e-Haqiqi) in Sufism. She rejected the idea of worshipping Allah out of fear of Hell or the desire for Paradise. Instead, she believed that true worship should be motivated purely by love for Allah.
Her famous prayer illustrates this philosophy:
“O Allah! If I worship You for fear of Hell, burn me in Hell.
If I worship You for the hope of Paradise, exclude me from it.
But if I worship You for Your sake alone,
Do not withhold from me Your Eternal Beauty.”
This radical concept of worship based on unconditional love was unique at the time and set her apart from other scholars and Sufis.
1. Love Over Fear
Unlike many religious figures who emphasized the fear of divine punishment, Rabia taught that love is the highest form of devotion. She believed that those who truly love Allah should not seek rewards or fear punishments but should love Him selflessly.
2. Renunciation of Material Desires
Rabia lived a life of extreme simplicity and asceticism. She refused to marry, despite many offers, stating that she had no room in her heart for anything other than Allah. She often fasted and spent her nights in prayer, focusing entirely on spiritual growth.
3. Inner Purification
She taught that true spirituality comes from purifying the heart from worldly distractions. According to Rabia, one must detach from material concerns and focus solely on the divine presence. She saw materialism as a distraction from the ultimate goal of union with Allah.
4. Rejecting the Fear of Hell and Desire for Paradise
One of Rabia’s most famous contributions to Islamic mysticism is her rejection of fear-based and reward-based worship. She often carried a torch in one hand and a bucket of water in the other. When asked about it, she said:
“I want to burn Heaven with this fire and put out Hell with this water so that both veils disappear, and no one worships Allah out of fear or hope, but out of pure love.”
This statement highlights her belief that divine love should be the sole motivation for worship.
Rabia Basri’s Poetry and Sayings
Although Rabia did not write books, her teachings and sayings were passed down through oral tradition and later recorded by scholars. Her poetry reflects her deep devotion and longing for Allah.
Some of her famous verses include:
“My Lord, my eyes look to none but You,
My heart adores none but You.
Only You can cure my pain,
For none but You do I long.”
Another famous saying of hers is:
“I love Allah: I have no time left for hate.”
Her words continue to inspire those seeking spiritual fulfillment, reminding them that true love for Allah is the essence of faith.
Influence on Sufism
Rabia Basri played a crucial role in shaping Sufi thought. She was among the first to introduce the concept of Divine Love as the highest form of worship. Her ideas influenced later Sufi scholars, including:
- Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi, who emphasized selfless love for Allah.
- Hazrat Bayazid Bastami, who spoke about annihilation of the self in divine love.
- Hazrat Rumi, whose poetry reflects Rabia’s teachings of love and devotion.
Many later Sufi poets and scholars drew inspiration from Rabia’s philosophy, further spreading her message of unconditional love and devotion.
Miracles and Legends
Several legends highlight Rabia Basri’s spiritual status.
- The Lamp That Never Went Out
It is said that one night Rabia’s lamp went out while she was praying, but miraculously, the room remained illuminated by divine light. This event symbolized her closeness to Allah. - Walking on Water
In one story, Rabia was once walking along a river when a famous Sufi saint, Hazrat Hasan Basri, approached her. He tried to impress her by walking on water. Rabia responded by also walking on water and saying, “A fish can do this too. Show me something only a true lover of Allah can do.” This was a reminder that miracles are meaningless without true love for Allah. - The Sick Man’s Prayer
Once, Rabia found a sick man crying and asking Allah to heal him. She told him, “If you truly love Allah, you will love everything He sends your way, including pain.” This showed her belief in accepting Allah’s will without complaint.
Legacy and Recognition
Rabia Basri’s teachings continue to influence Islamic spirituality today. Her philosophy of love-based worship has spread beyond Sufism and has been embraced by many spiritual seekers.
- Her tomb in Basra remains a site of pilgrimage for those who seek her blessings and inspiration.
- In modern times, scholars, poets, and spiritual leaders continue to study and discuss her life and teachings.
- Her name is often mentioned alongside other great Sufi saints like Hazrat Mansur Hallaj, Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani, and Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh.
Even though she lived centuries ago, her message remains relevant, especially in a world where people often practice religion out of fear or obligation rather than genuine love.
Conclusion
Hazrat Rabia Basri was a unique and powerful figure in the history of Islamic mysticism. She challenged conventional religious thinking by promoting love-based devotion rather than fear-based worship. Her teachings emphasized humility, renunciation, and complete submission to divine love.
Her legacy lives on as a beacon of spiritual wisdom, purity, and devotion. In a world often driven by materialism and superficial religious practices, Rabia’s words remind us that the greatest act of worship is to love Allah unconditionally.
As she beautifully said:
“You talk about loving God while you are looking elsewhere.
You make a claim of love, but then you sleep all night.
The lover is one who never sleeps,
And Allah is the one who keeps the lover awake.”
Hazrat Rabia Basri’s message remains timeless—a call to true love, devotion, and spiritual awakening.