Category: Following the Sunnah

On the Most Important Sunnah Prayers

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Once someone is consistent in praying the compulsory prayers what Sunnah prayers should they pray?

The most important Sunnah prayers are Witr and the Sunnah before Fajr. Witr is compulsory according to the Hanafi School and some of the Companions and Hanafi scholars were of the opinion that the Sunnah of Fajr is also compulsory. After that, the other Sunnah prayers before and after the compulsory prayers should be performed as well as the Duha (midmorning) prayer.

On Spreading Peace

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

What is the best way of obeying the Prophetic command to spread peace, feed people, honour the ties of kinship and pray at night?

We do this by not harming any human or animal and by having a good transaction with inanimate objects such that we walk upon the earth in humility. We should look after our relatives and neighbours and speak well whenever we meet anyone. We should pray in the night even if it is only two units of prayer. We should give charity, give people gifts and invite them to our houses.

How can I be with the Messenger ﷺ ?

Habib Ali al-Jifri (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) gives us five ways we can be with the Messenger ﷺ

Allah points the believers to a great and noble matter: the honour of being with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Allah says:

Those who obey Allah and the Messenger are with those that Allah has favoured – of the Prophets, the people of immense truthfulness, the martyrs and the pious. They are the best of company![1] Continue reading How can I be with the Messenger ﷺ ?

Prophetic Guidance in Times of Tribulation

In light of recent political events in Yemen and other countries, Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) clarifies the Prophetic perspective on how to deal with tribulations.

Habib Umar delivered the lecture in Dar al-Mustafa on 9th Jumada al-Akhirah 1436 / 29th March 2015 and it was attended by students of forty two nationalities. In it Habib Umar gave general guidelines as well as specific advice for those currently studying in Tarim. What follows is a summary of the main points. Continue reading Prophetic Guidance in Times of Tribulation

On the Methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him).

Are the Salafis considered to be from the Ahl al-Sunnah w’al-Jama’ah?

We have to look at people’s true state, and not at names or titles. Whoever follows the principles of the Ash’aris and Maturidis in tenets of faith and the principles of the four schools of Sunni Law is considered to be from Ahl al-Sunnah w’al-Jama’ah. These schools are the closest in their emulation of the pious predecessors (salaf). Those who follow these principles are considered to be from the Ahl al-Sunnah w’al-Jama’ah whatever name they are given. Those who do not follow these principles are not considered to be from the Ahl al-Sunnah w’al-Jama`ah, whatever name they are given.

On Emulating the Beloved ﷺ in Our Homes

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) encourages us to emulate the Beloved ﷺ  in our homes. 

As the month of Rabi al-Awwal comes, may you gain an attachment with the one born in Rabi al-Awwal. Connect to him through loving him and following him. Raise the banner of following him in every room in your house. Remove anything that goes against his teachings. Do not raise the banner of someone abased in your house. Continue reading On Emulating the Beloved ﷺ in Our Homes