100 Extraordinary Muslim Women Past and Present: Volume 3

May 2012 – In the third volume of the Muslim women profile series, we highlight the rich contributions of poetesses whose writings and poetic influence have impacted the lives of many generations of women and men.

#5. Rabi’a Al-Basri (717 – 801 CE) set forth the doctrine of “Divine Love” and is widely considered to be the most important of the early Sufi poets. Rabi’a’s poetry and message of union with God continue to enrich the lives of spiritual seekers among all faiths.

#6. Ni’mah Nawwab (1966 – Present) is an internationally published and recognized writer, poet, editor, photographer, and activist. Her pioneering work, The Unfurling, included a historic, first-of-its-kind public book signing in Saudi Arabia and Washington D.C.

Rabi’a Al-Basri

Rabi’a is widely considered to be the most important of the early Sufi poets. She made the greatest contribution of any woman towards the development of Sufism and became an exemplar of Sufism’s core doctrine – “Divine Love”.

One day, a person asked Rabi’a why she was carrying a pail of water in one hand and a pail of fire in the other. She replied, “I want to set fire to heaven with this flame and put out the fire of hell with this water so that people will cease to worship GOD for fear of hell or for temptation of heaven. One must love GOD as GOD is Love.”

Ni’mah Nawwab

As a “voice among the voiceless,” Ni’mah speaks for women and the human spirit with graceful honesty. Her words flow with an optimism that touches the world in universally mesmerizing harmony.

On May 22, 2012, Ni’mah will present her latest work, Canvas of the Soul: Mystic Poems from the Heartland of Arabia at The Brecht Forum in NYC from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. For event information, please click here.