A supplication attributed to Rabi'ah al-'Adawiyyah
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Fatwa number ( 17339 )
Q: I found a photocopied sheet stating that the lady Rabi'ah al-'Adawiyyah used to make this supplication: “O Allah, if You know that I worship You out of hope for Your Paradise, then deprive me of it; and if You know that I worship You out of fear of Your Fire, then burn me in it.” Is this permissible in the Shari'ah, and what is the ruling on one who says or repeats this supplication?
A: This supplication is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) nor from any of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). It is only well-known among the extremists of the Sufis, and it is an overstepping in supplication because it contradicts the requirements of the texts, including the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Az-Zumar 39:9] , and He the Exalted said regarding the prophets and the righteous:
[Al-Anbya 21:90] . And Allah created Paradise and promised it to the righteous, and He created the Fire and threatened the disbelievers with it, and He informed of the bliss of Paradise and the punishment of the Fire in the Hereafter; to encourage and warn His servants. Therefore, it is obligatory to abandon the supplication with the mentioned wording. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I found a photocopied sheet stating that the lady Rabi'ah al-'Adawiyyah used to make this supplication: “O Allah, if You know that I worship You out of hope for Your Paradise, then deprive me of it; and if You know that I worship You out of fear of Your Fire, then burn me in it.” Is this permissible in the Shari'ah, and what is the ruling on one who says or repeats this supplication?
A: This supplication is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) nor from any of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). It is only well-known among the extremists of the Sufis, and it is an overstepping in supplication because it contradicts the requirements of the texts, including the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord
أَمْ مَنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِIndeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.
إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا وَكَانُوا لَنَا خَاشِعِينَ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.