Hazrat Rabya Basri

Rabya means fourth. Since she was the fourth child of her parents, she was named Rabya. At the time of her birth, her family lived in utter poverty. When she grew up, her parents died and due to famine, her sisters also got separated. She too had to leave the house. A cruel man sold her as a slave servant. Her owner was very strict and a hard taskmaster. But taking it all to God’s will, she never bothered about anything.

From her early childhood, Rabya was devoted to God. Even as a slave servant, she would find time for meditation. She observed Roza (a severe fast), who used to serve her owner and also devote time to meditation. One night, when her owner suddenly woke up, he was amazed to see that her room was illuminated will light despite the fact that all the lamps had been extinguished. He saw that Rabya was meditating in a corner and praying, ‘My Lord, Had I not been a slave, I would never have missed my meditation even for a second. But I am helpless because I am in the control of a man. Therefore, I attend to meditation late.’ When the owner heard all this, he was ashamed of himself. The very next morning, he told her that she was free of his slavery. She could live wherever she liked. If she preferred to live there, he would serve her.

Once she went to the hillside. There are a number of wild animals like deer etc. lovingly gathered around her. In the meantime, Hasan Basri happened to come there. Seeing him, all the animals ran away. He was surprised and straight away asked Rabya as to why they had run away. Hazrat Rabya asked him, ‘What did you eat today?’ He replied that he ate the fat of the such and such animal.’ ‘That is why they have run away from you’, replied Rabya.

During her illness, someone enquired about her health and said he would pray that she would be cured soon. Hearing this Hazrat Rabya said, ‘Don’t you know who has sent this

disease?’ He said yes, he knew. ‘Then why do you want to go against the will of the Lord!’, said Rabya. The same man asked Rabya, ‘What she desired most?’ She replied, ‘For the last twelve years, I wanted to taste the fresh dates. And in Basra, these dates are plenty and cheap too. But I have not tasted it so far because I am a slave. And a slave should have no desire at all. If I desire and God does not like it then it would be going against the Lord. We should be happy and contented the way He keeps us.’