She was a saint, who proclaimed to set the heaven ablaze, and cool down the blazing hell. She set out with a vessel of water and a torch of fire for Her purpose. When people asked Her for the reason, She replied that heaven is the desired place for the greedy, and the guilty are forced to fear, of the grave hell. All the good deeds of worldy men are imbibed with greed and is as filthy as nothing. Repentance reaps no results, fear frails their minds. Thus, this action would bring peace. People must know that Lord loves us the most and wants to cherish us with the most precious gift in the universe, He himself. We are ought to love Him, as He loves us. Such was the renowned saint, Rābyā Basari.
Rābyā Basari was born in an immensely impoverished family, in a town named Basarā, in modern-day Iraq. She was the fourth daughter of Her parents, and it is called Arabā in arabic, thus, was named Rābyā. She was born in the auspicious time of Brahma Muhūrta (duration of the day between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.). Her parents were devout and spiritual, the name of Allāh never escaped their lips. They weren’t religious, but very spiritual, indeed. Poverty didn’t allow them, to light a lamp on this event of joy. Lack of proper sharp blade, for incising the umbilical cord, didn’t challenge their thanksgiving to Allāh. Her father was bit sad, but still thanked God for carrying out His tasks through their devoted tools. Since, it was the time of Brahma Muhūrta, Rābyā‘s father fell asleep. He saw a dream.
He saw, Prophet Mohammed-peace-be-upon-him, asking him to go the king, for he had forgotten to repeat thousand durūts (a holy prayer) this friday, and should give charity of one hundred and fifty diram (currency). He woke up suddenly, and ran, immediately, to the king. Guards stopped, but listening to the announcement of the dream, the king came himself. Rābyā‘s father narrated the dream to him. The king was amazed listening the narrative. He exclaimed knowing that the Lord, accepted his prayers, he used to offer every friday. The king, opened his riches, and granted the entire treasury to the narrator. But, the man simply asked for one hundred and fifty dirams and went away. His honesty, purity and love for God is the most magnificent quality a human can possess. Days passed, Rābyā grew few years older. Till then, She was just a child.
A big sandstorm hit the town of Basarā. The heavy tornadoes of dust and debris, continued for three days. When the winds calmed, Rābyā found herself buried, in sand, till her neck. She rose out, removing the debris. She saw a caravan approaching Her. Camels and men with riches were coming. Seeing a girl, impoverished enough, and incapable enough of feeding herself, a man amongst the group members, took the girl, and bonded her into the chains of slavery.
She worked for her master the entire day and meditated at night. One day, the master passed by the verandah, where Rābyā rested, and found Her, bowing down, for offering prayers to Allāh. She was speechless, but Her heart recited the prayers saying that She was busy all day, working, but, at night she is free, and, wanted to love God to its fullest. Her physical body illuminated with a divine light. In the descending dawn, the master, asked Her to make him Her slave, as he was guilty for such deeds, to such a pious lady. Rābyā wanted nothing, She asked him to free Her from Her bondage of slavery. She left.
She wandered in the deserted desert lands, and, found a place, near the oasis, surrounded by date palms. She made Her own hermitage, and lived peacefully, in the remembrance of Allāh, all day long. All the creatures used to come in a swarm, for listening to Her blessed words. Men and women, came spellbound, to Her positivity.
One day, a man, named Hasana Basari, came and spread his mat for recitating the Qurān (the holy book) over water, and recited it. Rābyā did so, in air. When the prayers ceased, She said to him that the powers are useless, until we unite with the Lord himself. We are ought to pray for getting unconditional love for Him. Such powers are manifested in insects, too. Hasana announced about his crying. Rābyā asked him to cry from within, flooding the mind, cleansing it from all negativities, and filling it with the bliss of Thine Name.
She grew older, and thought of going for the Haja (pilgramage). She loaded Her donkey, with the luggage and left with the others. Her old age, didn’t support Her speed, and walked slowly. In the midway, Her donkey was succumbed to death. She thanked Allāh, as the the donkey would, too, unite with the Oneness, as it collapsed in its journey to Haja. Now, She carried the luggage, on Her back; which, further, deteriorated Her speed. When the entire group had reached the Haja, She was far behind. Lost in the love for Allāh, She walked ‘aimlessly’, to Haja. There was a learned man, amidst the group, who chanted the prayers to Allāh, at every step, and was boasted by his achievement. When he reached the destination, He found that Kābā (form who is worshipped in Haja) is not there. He observed the site minutely, but he didn’t find Him. A Voice from the heavens, proclaimed not to doubt the senses, as Kābā was really not there, as He had gone to welcome the most pure lady in the universe. The man found Rābyā and Kābā coming together. He asked Rābyā about the matter, and She explained that his ego didn’t give him fruits, rather She was immersed in the Divine love, for Thee, in Ultimate Unawareness. Thus, He, Himself, came to greet Her.
The time of death arrived. She announced, beforehand, that She would leave Her physical abode, in the tranquillity of Brahma Muhūrta. The people arrived near Her hermitage and were forbidden to enter inside. People were anxious. Soon, a cone of transcendental light approached Her hermitage and Her soul merged into Infinity. Her body was buried by her devotees. On the day of Her departure, She imparted visions to many, in which She asked them to visit Basarā.
An old lady, who was her devout devotee, saw Her vision as well. She arrived at Basarā and asked the people about Rābyā. They said that She departed and they had buried Her body, nearby. The lady didn’t believe it, and called Her by name. A voice came from the grave, in response. The lady asked about Her reply to the angels who might had asked Her, about Her wish for heaven or hell. The voice replied that the angels were dumbfolded as Allāh said that She didn’t do anything, in Her life.
When we are totally surrendered at the divine feet of Allāh, then He does everything through us and for us. Faith illustrated……
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