Rabia al-Basri Quote: O I have two ways of loving You:...

O I have two ways of loving You: a selfish one and another way that is worthy of You. In my selfish love, I remember You alone. In that other love, You lift the veil and let me feast my eyes on Your living face.

— Rabia al-Basri

Source: 8th century

islamic mysticism sufism loving face one eyes

Select Quotes by Rabia al-Basri

The lover of God will cry and weep until he finds rest in the Beloved’s embrace.

— Rabia 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 Allah, I can’t live in this world
Without remembering You–
How can I endure the next world
Without seeing Your face?
I am a stranger in Your country
And lonely among Your worshippers:
This is the substance of my complain.

— Rabia al-Basri

I have loved Thee with two loves –
a selfish love and a love that is worthy of Thee.
As for the love which is selfish,
Therein I occupy myself with Thee,
to the exclusion of all others.
But in the love which is worthy of Thee,
Thou dost raise the veil that I may see Thee.
Yet is the praise not mine in this or that,
But the praise is to Thee in both that and this.

— Rabia al-Basri

O I have two ways of loving You: a selfish one and another way that is worthy of You. In my selfish love, I remember You alone. In that other love, You lift the veil and let me feast my eyes on Your living face. - Rabia al-Basri

Embed this quote on your website:

Select Quotes by Rabia al-Basri

Suggest an Edit

Recommended Authors

Kabir

Bulleh Shah

Baba Tahir

Hafez

Ibn Arabi

Rumi

Share Content

Title