I swear that ever since the first day You brought me back to life, The day You became my Friend, I have not slept -- And even if You drive me from your door, I swear again that we will never be separated-- Because You are alive in my heart. mosque quote 3292 | Rabia al-Adawiyya Doorkeeper of the heart : versions of Rabia. Trans. Charles Upton. Putney, Vt.: Threshold Books, 1988, p. 51 share
O God, You know that the only thing I want in this life Is to be obedient to Your command. Even the living sight of my eyes Is service at your court. mosque quote 3291 | Rabia al-Adawiyya Doorkeeper of the heart : versions of Rabia. Trans. Charles Upton. Putney, Vt.: Threshold Books, 1988, p. 25 share
B rothers, my peace is in my aloneness.My Beloved is alone with me there, always.I have found nothing in all the worldsThat could match His love,This love that harrows the sands of my desert.If I come to die of desireAnd my Beloved is still not satisfied, I would live in eternal despair.To abandon all that He has fashionedAnd hold in the palm of my handCertain proof that He loves me---That is the name and the goal of my search. mosque quote 3148 | Rabia al-Adawiyya translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert' share
T he source of my suffering and loneliness is deep in my heart.This is a disease no doctor can cure.Only Union with the Friend can cure it. mosque quote 3147 | Rabia al-Adawiyya translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert' share
I have two ways of loving You: A selfish one And another way that is worthy of You. In my selfish love, I remember You and You alone. In that other love, You lift the veil And let me feast my eyes on Your Living Face. mosque quote 3146 | Rabia al-Adawiyya Doorkeeper of the heart:versions of Rabia. Trans. Charles Upton share
R abia was once asked, "How did you attain that which you have attained?""By often praying, 'I take refuge in You, O God, from everything that distracts me from You, and from every obstacle that prevents me from reaching You.'" mosque quote 3145 | Rabia al-Adawiyya translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert' share
O my Lord, if I worship You from fear of Hell, burn me in Hell; and if I worship You from hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise. But if I worship You for Your own sake, do not withhold from me Your Eternal Beauty. mosque quote 2910 | Rabia al-Adawiyya Rabia, Essential Sufism, by James Fadiman & Robert Frager, Harper SanFrancisco, p.86 share
O ne day, Rabia was seen running, carrying fire in one hand and water in the other. They asked her the meaning of her action and where she was going. She replied, I am going to light a fire in Paradise and pour water on Hell, so that both veils (hindrances to the true vision of God) completely disappear." mosque quote 2909 | Rabia al-Adawiyya Rabia, Essential Sufism, by James Fadiman & Robert Frager, Harper SanFrancisco, p.86 share