The Shaykha Who Wept & the Shaykha Who Rejoiced

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Shaykha Camille Adams Helminski wrote, in her article, “Women & Sufism”, that among the women who followed the Way of Love and Truth, there were some who rejoiced and some who continually wept.  Shaykha Sha’wana (q.s.), a Persian, was one of those who wept.  Men and women gathered around her to hear her songs and discourses.  She used to say, “The eyes which are prevented from beholding the Beloved, and yet are desirous of looking upon Him, cannot be fit for that vision without weeping.”  Shaykh Sha’wana (q.s.) was not only “blinded by tears of penitence, but dazzled by the Radiant Glory of the Beloved.”  During her life, she experienced intimate Closeness with Allah (s.w.t.).  This profoundly influenced her devout husband, and her son, who became a saint himself.  She became one of the best-known teachers of her time. 

One of those who rejoiced was Shaykha Fidha’ (q.s.), who was also a married woman.  She taught that “joy of heart should be happiness based on what we inwardly sense; therefore, we should always strive to rejoice within our heart, until everyone around us also rejoices.”