Paradise within Paradise

This is a prayer upon the Prophet ﷺ  composed by Habib Ali al-Jifri (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ على سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ جَنَّةِ الجَنَّةِ و أُنْسِ الإِنْس و جُنَّةِ الجِنَّةِ و على آلِهِ و صَحْبِهِ و سَلِّمْ

Allahumma salli ‘ala sayyidina Muhammad jannat’il-jannah wa uns al-ins wa junnat’il-jinnah wa ‘alahi wa sahbihi wa sallim Continue reading Paradise within Paradise

Salawat: Long or Short?

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

When bestowing prayers upon the Prophet , is it better to use a long formula and recite less or a short formula and recite more?

What is best is whatever helps the heart to be present and focused on the Prophet , and helps to increase in love, longing and veneration.

Our Prophet ﷺ : Father, Guide, Doctor and Teacher

In this prayer, Habib Ali al-Habashi poetically expresses the noble qualities of our beloved Prophet ﷺ . In his relationship with his nation, the Messenger exhibits the qualities of a father who compassionately raises and nurtures his children, protecting them from all types of harm while guiding them to the best and straightest of paths. Continue reading Our Prophet ﷺ : Father, Guide, Doctor and Teacher

Is Bestowing Abundant Prayers Upon the Prophet ﷺ a Substitute for a Shaykh?

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

If someone bestows abundant prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ it helps them to overcome obstacles on the spiritual path, remove blameworthy qualities and gain noble qualities. Then through the blessing of bestowing those prayers, Allah unites that person with a shaykh who will be a means for them to reach Allah. So bestowing abundant prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ (and also abundant istighfar) is one of the best means to prepare someone for spiritual progress and facilitate their meeting with their shaykh.

On Reciting Salawat Compilations

Should I give preference to reading Dala’il al-Khayrat or Habib Ali al-Habashi’s Majma al-Lata’if al-Arshiyyah?

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

The best thing would be to recite a portion of both (or any other similar compilation of salawat) daily but if this is not possible then you should alternate between the two. All these books are filled with light. In addition, you should give priority to any salat that your shaykh has instructed you to recite or any salat which you find especially beneficial in connecting your heart to the Prophet ﷺ.

On Permission to Recite Prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ

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

Do we need to request permission before reciting various prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ, such as those contained in the book Dala’il al-Khayrat?

You have general permission to read any prayer upon the Prophet, ﷺ so there is no need to request permission. The main thing is that you recite it with love, longing and veneration witnessing that the Prophet is the means for all the good that Allah gives His servants.

 

 

Selected Salawat: Attaching Everything to the Prophet ﷺ

In this prayer upon the Prophet ﷺ Habib Ali al-Habashi (may Allah have mercy upon him and benefit us by him) teaches us to attach everything we have to the Prophet: our hearts, bodies, actions, intentions and our every movement and stillness.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وسَلِّمْ على سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ

وارْبُطْ قَلْبِي بِقَلْبِهِ

وارْبُطْ جِسْمِي بِجِسْمِهِ

Continue reading Selected Salawat: Attaching Everything to the Prophet ﷺ

What state should I be in when bestowing prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ ?

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

While doing so you should witness the exalted nature of the Prophet ﷺ and long to be with him in the next life. Be conscious that in reality it is not you who is bestowing prayers upon him but Allah and also that the Prophet does not need your prayers but rather you need the benefits that it contains.