Rabiah al-Basriyyah was from the greatest of people of her time, a very righteous and well- Known individual. Her actions of righteousness and worship are widespread.
Abu Sa’id b. al-A’rabi says that the people took a lot of wisdom from her. Sufyan, Shu’bah and many others have narrated from her.
She passed away in the year 180AH and was born in the year 110AH.
Some say she lived for 80 years.
Some great statements and incidents which one can learn a lot from:
‘Hide your good deeds just like how you hide your evil deeds.’
Her dislike for the dunya:
Once, she said to her father, ‘Oh father…, He said to her, ‘What do you say if I can not find any halal food? She said, ‘We will remain hungry but stay patient as it is better than being patient in the fire.’
Khalid b. Khidash has said: Rabiah heard Salih al-Murri mention the dunya in his stories so she said, ‘Oh Salih, Whoever loves something, they will mention it a lot.’
Muhammad b. al-Husayn al-burjulani said: Bishr b. Salih al-Atakiyyah said, A group of people sought permission to go to Rabiah including the renowned Sufya al-Thawri. They talked with her for some time and they mentioned something in regards to the Dunya. When they stood to leave, she said to her servant, ‘When this shaykh and his companions come (again), do not give them permission to(come to me). They love the world.’
Once, Sufyan al-Thawri met Rabiah whilst she was in a very dire state, so he said to her, ‘Oh mother of Amr, I see (you) in a very poor state, you can go to your neighbour(to ask for help) who is not in such a state. She replied to him, ‘Oh Sufyan, What wretchedness do you see with me? Am I not upon the faith of Islam, a source of honour which contains no ounce of humiliation, a source of prosperity which has no possibility of poverty and something which is so civil with no wilderness it? By Allah, I am too shy to ask (for more) the one who owns it(the world) so how can I ask one who does not own it?’.
Sufyan al-Thawri said in regards to this: I have never heard of such words like this.
Night prayer:
It is known from her that she used to pray throughout the entire night. When dawn (Fajr) time would arrive, she would sleep until the time of dawn became very bright (It is recommended to delay Fajr prayer until that time).
Once, when the night had dawned upon her, she stood on top of her roof and call out, ‘Oh my lord, the voices have become quite, and the movements have become still, every beloved one is spending time alone with their beloved, whilst I am spending time alone with you.’
(Sourced from: سير أعلام النبلاء and وفيات الأعيان)
