Among the women who followed the Way of Love and Truth, there were some who rejoiced, and some who continuously wept. Sha'wana, a Persian, was one of those who wept. . . . 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." She 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 the Friend, or God.
One of those who rejoiced was Fedha, 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, till everyone around us also rejoices."
— Camille Helminski, Women of Sufism