Asalam Alaikum, I came across this story, you maybe able to help me.
I wanted to know the source of the story, where did it come from? Quran? Sunnah? or a particular book?
Raabiyah Basriyyah (r.a) was a very saintly and pious woman of her time. It is reported that after she passed away, the Angels asked her, "Who is your Lord?" and "What is your religion?"
She replied, "I will answer your questions later, first you answer my questions." Thereafter she asked the Angels, "Where do you come from?" They replied, "From the Heavens."
She then asked, "What is the distance between the Heavens and the Earth?"
The Angels replied, "Five hundred years." Again. Raabiyah Basriyyah (r.a) asked, "Have you forgotten your Lord?"
The Angels replied, "No." Raabiyah Basriyyah (r.a) then said, "If you have not forgotten Allah Ta'alah even though you have travelled the distance of five hundred years, do you think that Raabiyah has forgotten her Allah Ta'alah by going 6 feet underground whereas she never forgot the remembrance of her Lord throughout her life." The Angels were astounded by this reply
Moral: Women and likewise men should take a lesson from this incident. The status of this woman was such that even the Angels were amazed by her reply. O Women! Where is the Raabiyah Basriyyah (r.a) of today? No doubt the women play the most vital role in the upbringing of their children. Therefore it is vital that our women are of an exemplary nature in their daily acts of worship and obedience.
This story can be found in Pearls of wisdom books written by Sheikh Ahmed Ali.
