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Running with fire in one hand and water in the other, Rabia explained, "I am going to burn paradise and douse hellfire so that both veils may be lifted from those on the quest, and they will become sincere of purpose. God's servants will learn to see Him without hope for reward or fear of punishment. As it is now, if you took away hope for reward or fear of punishment, no one would obey."
This was the mentality of the most famous female Sufi saint, Rabia al-Adawiyya, who set forth the doctrine of Divine Love. She maintained praises of God weren't meant to be merely performed with the tongue, ears, eyes, hands, or feet - but with the wakeful heart.
Rabia lived the life of an ascetic, for her only concern was God. She paved the way for later female saints, and she reached a state which all Sufis strive for through the destruction of her nafs (ego/self). She developed a relationship with God built on love and tawakkul (trust). She didn't devote herself to Him out of desires for reward or fear of burning; rather, she only wanted to please God and never be cut off.
This was the mentality of the most famous female Sufi saint, Rabia al-Adawiyya, who set forth the doctrine of Divine Love. She maintained praises of God weren't meant to be merely performed with the tongue, ears, eyes, hands, or feet - but with the wakeful heart.
Rabia lived the life of an ascetic, for her only concern was God. She paved the way for later female saints, and she reached a state which all Sufis strive for through the destruction of her nafs (ego/self). She developed a relationship with God built on love and tawakkul (trust). She didn't devote herself to Him out of desires for reward or fear of burning; rather, she only wanted to please God and never be cut off.