Basri Quotes & Sayings

True devotion is for itself: not to desire heaven nor to fear hell. — Rabia Basri

I swear that ever since the first day You brought me back to life,
The day You became my Friend,
I have not slept -
And even if You drive me from your door,
I swear again that we will never be separated -
Because You are alive in my heart — Rabia Basri

It is reported from the famous worshiper Rabi'ah al-Adawiyya (radiAllahu anha) that she said: "I have never heard the adhaan except that I remember the caller who will announce the Day of Resurrection, and I never see the falling snow except that I imagine the flying pages of the records of peoples deeds (on that day), and I never see swarms of locusts except that I think about the Great Gathering on the Last Day." — Rabia Basri

The world is 3 days: As for yesterday, it has vanished along with all that was in it. As for tomorrow, you may never see it. As for today, it is yours, so work on it. — Al-Hasan Al-Basri

I will not serve Allah like a laborer, in expectation of my wages. — Rabia Basri

You know of the how, but I know of the how-less. — Rabia Basri

He does not refuse sustenance to the one who speaks ill of Him. How then could He refuse sustenance to the one whose soul is over flowing with love for Him? — Rabia Basri

The real work is in the Heart:
Wake up your Heart! Because when the heart is completely awake,
Then it needs no Friend. — Rabia Basri

Verily, Allah lets [a person] enjoy a blessing for as long as He wills. But when He is no longer thanked for it, He turns it into a punishment. — Al-Hasan Al-Basri

Since no one really knows anything about God, those who think they do are just troublemakers. — Rabia Basri

How long will you keep pounding on an open door Begging for someone to open it? — Rabia Basri

Do not detest the misfortunes that befall you, for what you detest may be the cause of your salvation and what you like may be the cause of your ruin. — Al-Hasan Al-Basri

Your hope in my heart is the rarest treasure
Your Name on my tongue is the sweetest word
My choicest hours
Are the hours I spend with You -
O God, I can't live in this world
Without remembering You — Rabia Basri

How many gifts and graces You have given me! How many favors You have fed me from your hand! I look for your love in all directions, then suddenly its blessing burns in me. — Rabia Basri

I love Allah: I have no time left in which to hate the devil. — Rabia Basri

May Allah steal from you All that steals you from Him. — Rabia Basri

You are nothing but a number of days, and whenever a day passes away, a part of you passes away — Al-Hasan Al-Basri

O my Lord, whatever share of this world You have bestowed on me, bestow it to my enemies, and whatever share of the next world You have for me, give it to my friends. You are enough for me. — Rabia Basri

O Lord ...
Once I wanted You so much
I didn't even dare walk past Your house-
And now
I am not even worthy to be let in — Rabia Basri

Your prayers are your light;
Your devotion is your strength;
Sleep is the enemy of both.
Your life is the only opportunity that life can give you.
If you ignore it, if you waste it,
You will only turn to dust. — Rabia Basri

I seek forgiveness from Allah for the lack of my sincerity when I say I seek the forgiveness of Allah — Rabia Basri

O Allah,
You know that the only thing I want in this life
Is to be obedient to Your command.
Even the living sight of my eyes
Is service at your court — Rabia Basri

Great doubt will eventually lead to great awakening. — Rabia Basri

O Beloved of Hearts, I beseech only You. Have pity this day on those who turn to You. My Hope, my Rest, my Delight, this heart can love none other but You. — Rabia Basri

If I repent now will God forgive me?
No, but if God forgives you, you will repent. — Rabia Basri

For this world has neither worth nor weight with God; so slight it is, it weighs not with God so much as a pebble or a single clod of earth; as I am told, God has created nothing more hateful to Him than this world, and from the day He created it He has not looked upon it, so much He hates it. — Al-Hasan Al-Basri