Rabia balkhi biography definition

10th-century Persian poet

Rabia Balkhi (Arabic: رابعة بنت كعب, Persian: رابعه بلخی) also known as Rabia al-Quzdari (or Khuzdari),^[a] was a 10th-century writer who composed poetry in Persian and Arabic.

She is the first known female poet to write in Persian.

A non-mystic poet, her imagery was later transformed into that of a mystic poet by authors such as Attar of Nishapur (died 1221) and Jami (died 1492). She became a semi-legendary figure, famous for her love story with the slave Bektash.

Rabia balkhi biography definition

Her shrine is located in the mausoleum of the 15th-century Naqshbandi Sufi Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa (died 1460) in the city of Balkh, now present-day Afghanistan. She is celebrated in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran through various schools, hospitals, and roads being named after her.

Background

She is known by various names, Rabia Balkhi, Rabia al-Quzdar (or Khuzdari), and anonymously as a "daughter of Ka'b". Most of her life is c