There’s a story attributed to a great wali, a friend of Allāh, by the name of Rābiʿa al-Baṣriyya.
The following is a famous prayer strongly associated with her:
“O my Lord, if I worship You out of fear of Hell, burn me in Hell; and if I worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise. But if I worship You for Your own sake, do not deprive me of Your everlasting beauty.”
This ties together with the following story, also possibly associated with her.
It is mentioned that Rābiʿa al-Baṣriyya was found crying by her master. He asked why she was crying. She said she wished there were no Hell, because then people would worship Allāh without fear of punishment. When he responded that everyone would wish for that, she added that she wished there were no Paradise either, because then people would worship Allāh purely out of love for Him, rather than hoping for reward.
Whilst the attribution and historical accuracy of these accounts are not certain, we can still reflect upon the lessons they convey, whilst being careful not to present them as established facts.
Especially given that Rābiʿa was a female wali. Although female awliyāʾ have been great in number, their stories are not always mentioned.
Hence, Rābiʿa al-Baṣriyya remains a prominent figure that, as Muslimahs, we can look up to.
To worship Allāh not merely for what we hope to receive from Him, nor only out of fear of what we may lose, but simply because He is worthy of our worship.
Only for Him.
- Bint al-Qalm (عفي عنها )