Rabi'a The Mystic and Her Fellow-Saints in IslamRabi'a, a female Sufi saint, was born in 717 CE and released from slavery to lead a life in pursuit of purity and perfect union with God. Her teachings and the numerous miracles attributed to her have made her an influential and revered figure in Sufi theology. This authoritative 1928 biography of the saint was written by Margaret Smith, who mastered numerous eastern languages, travelled extensively, and published a number of translations of important Arabic texts. Smith's linguistic skill and her immersion in the culture she studied has produced a book still considered an important account of Rabi'a's life. Smith also includes an incisive discussion of the role of women in early Islamic mysticism and an examination of Sufi doctrine, and examines the issues of celibacy and sainthood in Islam. A biography of one exceptional woman written by another. |
Contents
PART | 1 |
Asceticism of Rabia Fasting Dependence | 20 |
Rabias declining years Her attitude | 44 |
PART | 47 |
Love including satisfaction longing | 65 |
PART THREE | 111 |
The position of the woman saint | 158 |
The Communion of Saints in Islam | 176 |
The Dervish orders The Qadiriyya The Rifaiyya | 190 |
List of Authors Quoted | 205 |
Common terms and phrases
Abu Talib accepted already answered Arab ascetic asked attained Attar authority Basra Beauty become Beloved biographers Cairo called concerned daughter death desire died Divine doctrine early existence eyes faith favour fear feel fire followers friends gave gift give given God's grace hand Hasan heard heart holy hope husband includes Islam knowledge known leads light lived longing look Lord lover marriage marry means mentioned Muslim mystic night Paradise passed perfect Persian pray prayer present Prophet quotes Rabi'a reference religion religious repentance replied returned saints satisfied says seek seen servant Shaykh shew shrine soul speaks spiritual stage story Sufi teaching tells Thee things thou told tomb true union veil verses vision wife woman women worship writer