When asked about some worldly thing she wanted to have, she replied: “I am ashamed to ask for a thing of this world from Him to whom this world belongs; how can I ask for it from those to whom it does not belong.

When asked about some worldly thing she wanted to have, she replied: “I am ashamed to ask for a thing of this world from Him to whom this world belongs; how can I ask for it from those to whom it does not belong.

She asked in her private prayer, “O my Lord, will you burn in the Fire a heart that holds love for you?” The caller answered, “We will never do such a thing. Do not think so poorly of Us.”

She asked in her private prayer, “O my Lord, will you burn in the Fire a heart that holds love for you?” The caller answered, “We will never do such a thing. Do not think so poorly of Us.”

In her prayer to God, she says; “O my Lord! If I worship Thee on account of the fear of Hell, bum me in Hell, and if I worship Thee with the hope of Paradise, exclude me from it, but if I worship Thee for Thine own sake, then withhold not from me Thine Eternal Beauty.

In her prayer to God, she says; “O my Lord! If I worship Thee on account of the fear of Hell, bum me in Hell, and if I worship Thee with the hope of Paradise, exclude me from it, but if I worship Thee for Thine own sake, then withhold not from me Thine Eternal Beauty.

Repentance is attained by the saints with the Divine grace, and it comes from the side of God who enlightens the hearts of those whom He loves. Seeking a formal forgiveness is the sin for lying. If I seek repentance of myself, I shall have need of repentance again.

Repentance is attained by the saints with the Divine grace, and it comes from the side of God who enlightens the hearts of those whom He loves. Seeking a formal forgiveness is the sin for lying. If I seek repentance of myself, I shall have need of repentance again.

Once she fell ill and someone asked her the cause of her illness. She replied, “Because I turned my heart to Paradise, He chastised me. Now he is content with me. I will not do it again.”

Once she fell ill and someone asked her the cause of her illness. She replied, “Because I turned my heart to Paradise, He chastised me. Now he is content with me. I will not do it again.”

One day Rabia was seen carrying fire in one hand and water in the other and she was running with speed. People asked her what was the meaning of her action and where she was going? She replied, “I am going to light a fire in Paradise and pour water on to the Hell, so that both veils may completely disappear from the pilgrims and their purpose may be sure, and the servants of God may see Him, without any object of hope or motive of fear.

One day Rabia was seen carrying fire in one hand and water in the other and she was running with speed. People asked her what was the meaning of her action and where she was going? She replied, “I am going to light a fire in Paradise and pour water on to the Hell, so that both veils may completely disappear from the pilgrims and their purpose may be sure, and the servants of God may see Him, without any object of hope or motive of fear.

None of the matter of this world or of the next should deter you from Allah. Rabia said, “While I am in this world, all I want from this world is to remember You, and my only wish for the hereafter is to be able to see You. Other than this, do with me as You wish.

None of the matter of this world or of the next should deter you from Allah. Rabia said, “While I am in this world, all I want from this world is to remember You, and my only wish for the hereafter is to be able to see You. Other than this, do with me as You wish.

Love, for Rabia, is the basis of spiritual perfection at all the stages on the journey to God. She teaches to love God for the sake of God.

Love, for Rabia, is the basis of spiritual perfection at all the stages on the journey to God. She teaches to love God for the sake of God.

I have not served God for fear of Hell, for I should be like a wretched hireling, if I did it for fear: nor for love of Paradise, for I should be a bad servant if I served for the sake of what was given, but I have served Him only for the love of Him and out of desire for Him.

I have not served God for fear of Hell, for I should be like a wretched hireling, if I did it for fear: nor for love of Paradise, for I should be a bad servant if I served for the sake of what was given, but I have served Him only for the love of Him and out of desire for Him.

The soul comes from God, and it can be united with Him if it is purified through the process of mortification.

The soul comes from God, and it can be united with Him if it is purified through the process of mortification.

She was asked when is the servant satisfied? She replied: “When afflictions delight him as much as blessings.”

She was asked when is the servant satisfied? She replied: “When afflictions delight him as much as blessings.”

Seclusion is the soul’s ideal preparation for reaching God. It is in the state of solitude that the soul contemplates on the attributes of God.

Seclusion is the soul’s ideal preparation for reaching God. It is in the state of solitude that the soul contemplates on the attributes of God.