Tales of Rabia Al-Adawiyya The Great Female Muslim Sufi Saint from Basra

of pilgrimage during the Middle Ages

Her tomb was a cent

Rabia died a.d. 752, and was buried near Jerusalem

My God, if it is from fear of hell that I serve Thee, condemn me to burn in hell; and if it is for the hope of Paradise, forbid me entrance there; but if it is for Thy sake only, deny me not the sight of Thy face."

O Lord, give all Thou destinest for me of the goods of this world to Thy enemies, and all that Thou reservest for me in Paradise to Thy friends, for it is Thou only Whom I seek."

My God, if on the day of judgment Thou sendest me to hell, I shall reveal a secret which will make hell fly far from me."

You must be very fond of the world," said Rabia, "for if you were not, you would not talk so much about it. He who really intends to buy something keeps on discussing it. If you were really disentangled from it, what would you care about its merits or its faults?"

He is not sincere who does not forget the pain of affliction through his

turned on sincerity of heart towards God.

He Who provides for the needs of the rich, shall He not provide for the necessities of the poor? If He wills that it should be thus with us, we shall gladly submit to His will.'"