The Virtue of Rabi’atul Adawiyyah (RA)
Rabi’atul Adawiyyah (RA), also known as Rabi’a al-Basriyyah, was one of the most renowned female Sufi saints in Islamic history. Born in Basra, Iraq, in the early 8th century (circa 717 CE), she became a symbol of pure devotion, selfless love for Allah, and piety. Her philosophy and spiritual insights laid the foundation for the Sufi concept of divine love (maḥabbah ilāhiyyah), influencing generations of mystics and scholars.
Early Life and Struggles
Rabi’ah was born into poverty as the fourth daughter in her family, hence the name Rabi’ah (meaning “fourth”). Orphaned at a young age and later captured and sold as a slave, she endured hardship with patience and devotion. Her master eventually freed her after witnessing her deep and sincere night prayers, during which he reportedly saw a divine light surrounding her. Despite her freedom, she chose a life of spiritual solitude and renunciation of worldly pleasures.
Her Pure Devotion to Allah
What made Rabi’atul Adawiyyah unique was her unconditional love for Allah. She believed that the essence of worship should not be based on fear of Hell or desire for Paradise, but purely for the sake of Allah's pleasure.
She is famously quoted as saying:
"اللهم إن كنت أعبدك خوفاً من نارك، فاحرقني بها،وإن كنت أعبدك طمعاً في جنتك، فاحرمني منها،وإن كنت أعبدك حباً لك وشوقاً إلى وجهك، فلا تحرمني رؤيتك."
“O Allah! If I worship You for fear of Your Hell, then burn me in it.If I worship You in hope of Your Paradise, then deny me it.But if I worship You out of love for You, then do not deprive me of seeing Your Face.”
This expression highlights her deep spiritual understanding — that love (maḥabbah) must be free of selfish motives. Her perspective aligns with the Qur’anic encouragement of sincere devotion:
"وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ""And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion…"(Qur’an 98:5, Al-Bayyinah) (Al-Hilali & Khan, 1996).
Her Influence in Sufism
Rabi’ah lived a simple and ascetic life (zuhd), refusing marriage and material pleasures, choosing instead to remain devoted to Allah alone. She once said:
"إني لست أخدم مولاي شفقة من ناره، ولا حباً لجنته، ولكن حباً له وشوقاً إليه."
"I do not worship my Lord out of fear of Hell or desire for Paradise, but out of love and longing for Him."
This aligns with the famous hadith reported in Sahih al-Bukhari:
"إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى...""Actions are only by intentions, and every person will get what they intended…"(Al-Bukhari, 1997, Hadith No. 1).
Rabi’ah’s concept of maḥabbah shaped later Sufi teachings, including those of Hasan al-Basri, Dhul-Nun al-Misri, and even Jalaluddin Rumi centuries later. Despite being a woman in a patriarchal society, she was revered as a teacher, scholar, and spiritual guide, which is a testament to her towering virtue and divine connection.
Lessons from Her Life
Here are some key lessons from the life of Rabi’atul Adawiyyah (RA):
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Worship with Sincerity – Her life reminds us to purify our intentions for Allah alone.
"قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ""Say, indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds."(Qur’an 6:162, Al-An’am) (Al-Hilali & Khan, 1996). -
Detachment from the World (Zuhd) – She rejected worldly attachments, focusing instead on eternal realities.
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Spiritual Leadership – Her knowledge and purity earned her the status of a leader among the righteous (awliya’), regardless of her gender.
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Love of Allah – She exemplified the highest station in Sufism: loving Allah for who He is, not for what He gives.
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Resilience in Adversity – Her patience in hardship and unbreakable connection to Allah show that trials can refine the soul and elevate one’s spiritual rank.
Conclusion
Rabi’atul Adawiyyah (RA) was not just a woman of piety but a revolutionary figure in Islamic spirituality. Her teachings transformed the understanding of worship from obligation to love, from fear to longing. Her legacy remains a beacon of light for those who seek closeness to Allah through purity of heart, sincerity of action, and unconditional love.
May Allah grant us the sincerity and love that filled her heart. Ameen.
References
Al-Bukhari, M. I. I. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari (Vol. 1, Hadith No. 1). Darussalam.
Al-Hilali, M. T. U., & Khan, M. M. (1996). The Noble Qur’an: English Translation of the Meanings and Commentary. Madinah: King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an.
Smith, M. (1928). Rabi'a the Mystic and Her Fellow-Saints in Islam. Cambridge University Press.
Schimmel, A. (1975). Mystical Dimensions of Islam. University of North Carolina Press.
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