In sufism, a patron saint to inspire abused women everywhere
Again, I am copying this from the Spirit Voyage global 40 day sadhana practice, too beautiful not to share here:, written by Ramdesh Kaur:
Rabia of Basra (717-801) is the most popular female Islamic saint and an important figure in Sufism. Her life shows us a grace and dignity beyond the sufferings of experience, and hold a perfect example for transforming negativity to love.
She grew up in what is now Iraq to poor parents. On the night of her birth, the Prophet Mohammed came to her father in a dream and told him his daughter would be revered as a great saint. At a young age, her parents died and she wandered the streets homeless. Because of her extraordinary beauty, she was kidnapped and sold for a very high price to a fine brothel, where she was forced into sexual slavery for many years. Through it all, her writings showed a remarkable, ecstatic connection to the Divine. Of her plight, she wrote, "What a place for trials and tribulations did my Lover put me, but never once did He look upon me as if I were impure. Dear sisters, all we do in the world, whatever happens, is bringing us closer to God."
She is a saint very relevant for today's world, where so many women have suffered abuse and degradation. Physically and sexually abused, she still became one of the greatest saints of all time. At age 50, her freedom was bought by a wealthy patron and she spent the rest of her life in meditation and prayer, healing those who came to her and refusing gold to do so. Many miracles were attributed to her, but I like to think her greatest miracle was the miracle of transforming her one negativity into love and leaving a trail in her poems for others to follow.
Rabia wrote, "Show me where it hurts, God said, and every cell in my body burst into tears before His tender eyes. He has repaid me though for all my suffering in a way I never wanted: The sun is now in homage to my face, because it knows I have seen God. But that was not His payment. The soul cannot describe His gift. I just spoke about the sun like that because I like beautiful words, and because it is true: Creation is in homage to us."
Can you believe it? Creation is an homage to you. It is a painting of a love story between your soul and the entire Universe. You are Sita and the infinite is Rama and we are all lost in chanting the beauty of this Love. If you have forgotten the love story of your own divinity, wake up. Hear the music, we are singing you back to remembrance with every breath.
Rabia of Basra (717-801) is the most popular female Islamic saint and an important figure in Sufism. Her life shows us a grace and dignity beyond the sufferings of experience, and hold a perfect example for transforming negativity to love.
She grew up in what is now Iraq to poor parents. On the night of her birth, the Prophet Mohammed came to her father in a dream and told him his daughter would be revered as a great saint. At a young age, her parents died and she wandered the streets homeless. Because of her extraordinary beauty, she was kidnapped and sold for a very high price to a fine brothel, where she was forced into sexual slavery for many years. Through it all, her writings showed a remarkable, ecstatic connection to the Divine. Of her plight, she wrote, "What a place for trials and tribulations did my Lover put me, but never once did He look upon me as if I were impure. Dear sisters, all we do in the world, whatever happens, is bringing us closer to God."
She is a saint very relevant for today's world, where so many women have suffered abuse and degradation. Physically and sexually abused, she still became one of the greatest saints of all time. At age 50, her freedom was bought by a wealthy patron and she spent the rest of her life in meditation and prayer, healing those who came to her and refusing gold to do so. Many miracles were attributed to her, but I like to think her greatest miracle was the miracle of transforming her one negativity into love and leaving a trail in her poems for others to follow.
Rabia wrote, "Show me where it hurts, God said, and every cell in my body burst into tears before His tender eyes. He has repaid me though for all my suffering in a way I never wanted: The sun is now in homage to my face, because it knows I have seen God. But that was not His payment. The soul cannot describe His gift. I just spoke about the sun like that because I like beautiful words, and because it is true: Creation is in homage to us."
Can you believe it? Creation is an homage to you. It is a painting of a love story between your soul and the entire Universe. You are Sita and the infinite is Rama and we are all lost in chanting the beauty of this Love. If you have forgotten the love story of your own divinity, wake up. Hear the music, we are singing you back to remembrance with every breath.
Replies
I\'m walking around completely amazed today. I head to a oneness meditation blessing in a couple of hours because I\'ve learned that we should receive our blessings with gratitude. I\'ve also been trying to figure out where this name that keeps popping up in my head this week is coming from... I got it now LOL! Amazing and I\'m happy to be friends with you, seeking. ~ Blessings ~
beautiful concepts - transforming the degradation with love and connection to the divine - very relevant for my life!
Love this, seeking. Thanks for sharing it. What a touching and inspirational story. xo