Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Muslim / Sufi

8th Century

Iraq
(Middle East)

Rabia (Rabi'a Al-'Adawiyya)

Timeline (717 - 801)

Poems by Rabia (Rabi'a Al-'Adawiyya)
Books - Links

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Rabia, sometimes called Rabia of Basra or Rabia al Basri, was born to a poor family in Basra in what is now Iraq. Her parents died of famine and she was eventually sold into slavery.

The story is told that her master one night woke up and saw a light shining above her head while she was praying. Stunned, he freed her the next morning.

Rabia chose a solitary life of prayer, living much of her life in desert seclusion.

Her fame as a holy woman spread and people began to journey to her retreat, to ask advice, to study, to learn.

Today she is greatly revered by devout Muslims and mystics throughout the world.

Poems by Rabia (Rabi'a Al-'Adawiyya)

	Brothers, my peace is in my aloneness.
	I am fully qualified to work as a doorkeeper, and for this reason:
	I carry a torch in one hand
	I have two ways of loving You:
	My joy --
	O God, Another Night is passing away,
	O my Lord, if I worship you
	O my Lord, the stars glitter

Recommended Books

	Doorkeeper of the Heart: Versions of Rabia, Translated by Charles Upton Amazon.com
	Early Islamic Mysticism: Sufi, Quran, Miraj, Poetic and Theological Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality), by Michael A. Sells Amazon.com
	First Among Sufis: The Life and Thought of Rabia Al-Adawiyya, the Woman Saint of Basra, by Widad El Sakkakini Amazon.com
	Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, Translated by Daniel Ladinsky Amazon.com
	Muslim Women Mystics: The Life and Work of Rabi'a and Other Women Mystics in Islam, by Margaret Smith Amazon.com
	Perfume of the Desert: Inspirations from the Sufi Wisdom, by Andrew Harvey / Eryk Hanut Amazon.com
	Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty, Edited by Alan Jacobs Amazon.com
	Sacred Voices: Essential Women's Voices Through the Ages, Edited by Mary Ford-Grabowsky Amazon.com
	Women in Praise of the Sacred: 43 Centuries of Spiritual Poetry by Women, Edited by Jane Hirshfield Amazon.com
	Women in Sufism: A Hidden Treasure - Writings and Stories of Mystics Poets, Scholars & Saints, Edited by Camille Adams Helminski Amazon.com

Related Links:

	Rabia al Basri from Oldpoetry http://oldpoetry.com/authors/Rabia%20al%20Basri A basic bio and several poems.
	Quotes, Texts, and Mystical Poems from Rabia Al-Adawiyya http://www.onelittleangel.com/wisdom/quotes/saint_net.asp?mc=51 Several poems and brief quotes attributed to Rabia.
	Rabia Basri: The Mystic and Her Fellow Saints http://www.khamush.com/sufism/rabia.htm An on-line article by Margaret Smith that looks at Rabia's place within Sufi mysticism.
	Beauty of Islam: Hadhrat Rabe'a al-Adawiya http://www.beautyofislam.org/Personalities/RabiaBasri.htm Online biography and anecdotes from the life of Rabi'a.

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Rabia (Rabi'a Al-'Adawiyya)

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Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World