First Among Sufis: The Life and Thought of Rabia al-Adawiyya, the Woman Saint of Basra [Hardcover]

Widad El Sakkakini (Author), Nabil Safwat (Author), Doris Lessing (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1982

Born in Basra in the 8th century of an impoverished family, orphaned and sold into slavery, Rabia al-Adawiyya, rose to become one of the greatest Sufi teachers. An extraordinary kaleidoscope of myth and reality, of imagination and fact... is it not of importance that a woman of such stature and independence of mind existed so early in the story of Islam, to show what women could be, and how they could be regarded?

Introduction by Doris Lessing

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Arabic (translation)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 85 pages
• Publisher: Octagon Press, Limited (June 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0900860456
• ISBN-13: 978-0900860454
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #625,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A way to relate to God, June 10, 2002

By 

Hannahzarah Avarraschild "Hannah" (Burlington, VT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Among Sufis: The Life and Thought of Rabia al-Adawiyya, the Woman Saint of Basra (Hardcover)

I found Rabia al-Adawiyya to be the best advise I have ever heard about how to love God--not for hope for reward or fear of punishment--but because our Friend is lovable. Easy to say but hard to live to. But like Jesus much is attributed to her that is questionable. It is a shame they weren't recorded at the times that they lived. Anyway this is an excellant book that I would recommend to anyone that wishes to approach God throught the heart and not the brain.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Anything about her-tell me!, August 11, 2000

By 

"ummtas" (Allah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Among Sufis: The Life and Thought of Rabia al-Adawiyya, the Woman Saint of Basra (Hardcover)

Unfortunatly, much is lost, forgotten, or unknown about this (words can not describe her!) angelic woman. She is the woman who men make dua' to marry, the presence women would pray to be surrounded by, and the ruh (soul) many of us beg Allah to have.

She is by her name Rabia'. This book gives insight to the much forgotten and unknown woman. Her childhood, her travels, and her spiritual accent. She to me is the ibn alArabi of female devotees.

The book gives us a biography of her life and her experiences, but it is difficult to know if it is correct or not, considering the author admits to the false claims of her life that have been recorded. Perhaps she is better to be in the hearts of those who actually knew her, or who make dua' for her. It would be a pitty to know so much about her, and yet not follow her example. She was never satisfied with her worship, or tauba, and this book explains storys that carry on the tales of Rabia. May Allah bless her, and be pleased with her!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A brief introduction, September 5, 2005

By 

Ayesha Riaz "ashriaz" (NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Among Sufis: The Life and Thought of Rabia al-Adawiyya, the Woman Saint of Basra (Hardcover)

It is a thin book with a brief introduction on the life of Rabia of Basra. If you don't know anything about this mystic of islam then you may want to read this short introduction, otherwise the book is not for you. It also covers the major aspects of her life, and famous sayings.