Rabi'a, a female Sufi saint, was born in 717 CE and released from slavery to lead a life in pursuit of purity and perfect union with God. Her teachings and the numerous miracles attributed to her have made her an influential and revered figure in Sufi theology. This authoritative 1928 biography of the saint was written by Margaret Smith, who mastered numerous eastern languages, travelled extensively, and published a number of translations of important Arabic texts. Smith's linguistic skill and her immersion in the culture she studied has produced a book still considered an important account of Rabi'a's life. Smith also includes an incisive discussion of the role of women in early Islamic mysticism and an examination of Sufi doctrine, and examines the issues of celibacy and sainthood in Islam. A biography of one exceptional woman written by another.

Survey of sources
Part 1: 1. The place of women among the S?fis
2. Offers of marriage
3. Asceticism of R?bi'a
4. The miracles of Muslim saints
5. R?bi'a's declining years
Part 2: 6. Estimate of R?bi'a's teaching by the S?fi writers
7. Repentance
8. Hope and fear
9. Poverty
10. Love, including satisfaction, longing and intimacy
Part 3: 11. The position of woman in Muslim lands in pre-Islamic and early Islamic times
12. The position of the woman saint
13. Celibacy in Isl?m
14. The communion of saints in Isl?m
15. The cult of the saints in modern Isl?m
List of authors quoted
Index.

Subject Areas: Islam [HRH]