f.20
Illustration from a manuscript of the Khamsah of Navai (see RCIN 1005032).

Saint Rabiah al-Adawiyah (d. 801) of Basra (modern day Iraq) was the first female Sufi saint in Islam, renowned for her poverty and piety. This painting depicts her pilgrimage to Mecca when God moved the Kaaba to meet her, a story told in much Sufi poetry. In the foreground, is another Muslim saint, Ibrahim bin Adam of Balkh (modern day Afghanistan) (d.770). Having given up his kingdom and wealth to become a wandering dervish he arrives at the Masjid al-Haram (sacred enclosure) of Mecca after a fourteen year journey crossing the desert in prayer, only to find the Kaaba gone.

The celebrated Mughal artist Govardhan worked on this and another painting in this manuscript (f.35v). He depicts the figures in contemporary Mughal clothing and the Masjid al-Haram as a Mughal red sandstone mosque. The face of Saint Rabiah has suffered paint loss to the extent that the under drawing is visible.

Saint Rabiah is more often depicted in Mughal painting praying in the wilderness (see also RCINs 1005068.e and 1005069.ag). The common depiction of Ibrahim bin Adham is him receiving food from angels (see RCINs 1005068.d and 1005069.ah).