Rabi’a of Basra

 Rabi’a of Basra

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 14, 2021: In a strange and odd environment, things were at variance with the culture of Basra. In about 801 AC, the corrupt rulers of Basra tainted also society. Things were falling apart. Corruption swept the police, the army, the bureaucracy, and the civil society.

In these conditions, Rabi’a of Basra emerged to challenge the status quo. She followed the mystic means to spread her concept of self-reform and self-accountability. Soon, she emerged to be the founder of divine love. She proclaimed that she fell in love with God.

She was arrested, tortured, and imprisoned. Simply, the authorities wanted her to give up the divine love as a prelude to set her free. However, she rejected the offer, saying that her divine love was so powerful that she never felt the pain of the extreme torture.

Ultimately, the ruler of Basra ordered her release and asked her forgiveness. She replied, “My heart is full of divine love. Hence, there is no place in it to hate anyone.”

Subsequently, the law-enforcement agencies repented and started to respect individuals in their quest for salvation and spiritual elevation.

Ironically, all these developments took place by simply show of kindness. Rabi’a offered simple water to a faqir (Sufi) when he came to her camp where she was an entertainer and dancer. The faqir prayed for her salvation. It turns out that kindness is a very powerful weapon in the arena of change.