Rabia Basri
Rabia al-Adawiyya al-Qaysiyya (; 717 - 801 AD) was a female Muslim saint and Sufi mystic. She was born in Basra, and is therefore also called Rabia al-Basri ().
She was the fourth daughter of her family and therefore named Rabi'a, meaning" fourth" . Her family was very poor. She was very devoted to God. When Rabia' s father died, she became an orphan. She was captured by thieves and sold into slavery. During the day, she worked for her master. During the night, she prayed to God. Once her master learned about her passionate faith, he immediately released her. He decided to serve her instead.
Rabia became an ascetic. Over time, many came to follow her. Even though Rabia did many favors for them and lived in poverty and hardship, she is said to have never asked for anything, even from God.
The name Rabia is used to describe women of the highest type of spirituality. She is considered one of the most devoted Sufi saints. She is highly revered.
Notes
717 births
801 deaths
Asian Sufis
Iraqi Muslims