Rābiՙah al-ՙAdawiyah
Rābiՙah al-ՙAdawiyah, a notable figure in early Islamic mysticism, is revered as a Muslim Sufi saint who profoundly influenced the development of Sufism. Born into slavery, she was liberated by her master but chose a life of asceticism, characterized by a deep and singular devotion to God, free from worldly attachments and desires, including the pursuit of Paradise or fear of Hell. Rābiՙah's teachings emphasized pure love for God, rejecting any distractions from divine connection, which positioned her as a pivotal figure in transitioning Sufi thought towards a more love-centric mysticism. She is known for her brief sayings and poignant poetry that express her profound reverence for God, despite not having produced extensive written works. Her life and teachings inspired later devotional poets and mystics, including the renowned Jalal al-Din al-Rūmī. Celebrated for her deep spiritual insight, she has been likened to a "second spotless Mary" by the poet ʿAṭṭār, illustrating her significant impact on the spiritual landscape. Rābiՙah al-ՙAdawiyah remains an enduring symbol of devotion and love for God within the Sufi tradition.
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Rābiՙah al-ՙAdawiyah
- Born: 712
- Birthplace: Basra (now in Iraq)
- Died: 801
- Place of death: Basra (now in Iraq)
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Rābiՙah’s life is a metaphor for her thought: She was a slave who was set free by her master. She was a joyful ascetic who was freed from attachment to or desire for things of this world, even from the selfish desires of attaining Paradise and avoiding Hell. Her life was completely filled with immediate love of God for God’s own sake. Hers was a jealous God who would countenance no other loves: There was no remaining room for marriage, worldly gain, self, or even any special reverence for the Prophet Muḥammad. She produced no treatises or other lengthy works, but her brief sayings, her short poems in awe and celebration of God’s beauty, and stories of her life made a dramatic impact and played an important part in transforming the severe asceticism of early Sufism into a mysticism focused on divine love. She inspired devotional poets such as al-Rūmī and was celebrated by ՙAṭṭār as “a second spotless Mary.” She remains a popular ideal of devotion to God.
