Rabia Basri and the history of his shrine رابعہ بصری کی سوانح حیات اور ان کے مزار کی تاریخ

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Biography of Rabia Basri and the history of his shrine

Dekhti Aankhooon aur sountay kaanoon ko Asslamoalaikum, sisters, brothers friends and elders, in informative series videos of Islamic ascolars, sufisaints, cultural heritages, islamic philosophys, islamic mysticisms and historical figures. today we are describing biography of Rabia Basri and the history of his shrine.

Rabia al-Adawiyya al-Qaysiyya, also known as **Rabia Basri**, was born in **716 CE** (approximately 100 AH) in the city of **Basra**, located in present-day Iraq. She was a deeply influential figure in early Islamic mysticism and is widely regarded as one of the **earliest and most revered Sufi saints** in Islamic history. As a woman, her prominence in the male-dominated fields of theology and spirituality during the early Islamic centuries is extraordinary, and she is considered a pioneer in articulating the concept of **divine love (?ishq ilahi)**—love for God for His own sake, not out of fear of Hell or desire for Paradise.

Rabia was born into a poor but pious family belonging to the **Banu Adawiyya tribe**, hence the name al-Adawiyya. According to traditional biographies, including those written by later Sufi authors like Fariduddin Attar, Rabia was the fourth daughter in her family—hence the name R?bi?a, meaning "fourth." Shortly after her birth, her father passed away, and during a period of severe famine, she was separated from her family and **sold into slavery**. Her early years were marked by hardship, but even in servitude, she remained devoted to her faith, often spending her nights in prayer and fasting during the day. Her spiritual dedication impressed her master so deeply that he eventually **freed her**, recognizing her sanctity.

After gaining her freedom, Rabia chose a life of **asceticism and devotion**. She rejected material possessions, marriage, and societal norms, dedicating herself entirely to the **love and worship of God (Allah)**. She lived a life of seclusion, prayer, and meditation, and is said to have influenced many of the later Sufi saints and mystics, including **Hasan al-Basri**, who was both a contemporary and admirer of her deep spirituality. Unlike many of her peers who spoke of divine fear or reward, Rabia emphasized **pure, selfless love for God**, seeking nothing in return. Her most famous prayer encapsulates this philosophy: “O Lord, if I worship You because of fear of Hell, then burn me in Hell, and if I worship You for the hope of Paradise, exclude me from it. But if I worship You for Your own sake, do not withhold from me Your Eternal Beauty.”

Rabia also expressed her devotion through **poetry**, some of which has been preserved and translated into various languages. Her verses are filled with longing, spiritual ecstasy, and an unbreakable connection to the Divine. Though she was not a scholar in the conventional sense of jurisprudence or theology, Rabia’s **spiritual wisdom and insight** made her a teacher and guide to many. She became a central figure in the development of **Sufism**, particularly in the formation of ideas around divine love and the annihilation of the self in the presence of God (fana).

Rabia al-Adawiyya passed away in **801 CE** (185 AH) in **Basra**, the city of her birth. Her death marked the end of a life dedicated to asceticism and spiritual enlightenment, but her teachings lived on through generations of Sufi thinkers and poets. Her legacy as the **"Mother of the Sufis"** remains intact, with her name honored in both Islamic scholarly and spiritual circles. While some aspects of her biography are steeped in legend, especially those found in later Sufi literature, there is no doubt about the profound **spiritual impact** she had on the development of Islamic mysticism.

As for her **shrine**, Rabia al-Adawiyya is believed to have been **buried in Basra**, Iraq, although the **exact location of her grave is not definitively known**. Over the centuries, multiple sites have been associated with her name. One such location is a **shrine in Jerusalem**, often attributed to her, but most scholars agree that this site may have been mistakenly associated with her due to confusion with another woman bearing the same name. The more likely site of her burial remains in **Basra**, but unfortunately, due to wars, neglect, and historical changes, **no formal or grand shrine stands today marking her final resting place with certainty**.

There are, however, **modern memorials and spiritual centers** named after Rabia in various parts of the Muslim world. Her memory is kept alive not through a monumental shrine but through the **hearts and teachings** of those who follow her path of divine love and surrender. Some attempts have been made over the centuries by local Sufi communities and admirers to mark her grave or establish commemorative sites, but **no authenticated shrine built by a known individual or ruler** has been recorded in reliable historical sources. In a sense, this aligns with her life of humility and detachment from the world—her **true legacy lies in her teachings**, not in stone or structure. Rabia al-Adawiyya remains an enduring symbol of pure love for God, and her story continues to inspire seekers on the Sufi path to this day.

With this, we ask for your permission until tomorrow and pray to Allah Almighty to grant us the ability to act on the Quran and Hadith, Amen

Allah Hafiz

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