Rābiʿa al-ʿAdawiyya of Basra, an eighth-century woman ascetic, is remembered for teaching a love of God free of self-interest. A famous story has her carrying a torch and a bucket of water, to burn paradise and put out the fires of hell, so that God would be loved for himself alone. The theme recurs across traditions.
Rābiʿa’s love
The love of God for his own sake alone, without fear of hell or hope of paradise, associated with Rābiʿa al-ʿAdawiyya.
Also: Rabia’s pure love