On Women Wearing Western Clothing

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

Some Muslim women in the West have taken to wearing a shirt and trousers so as not to stand out too much. What do you say about this?

As a principle, we should be concerned with seeking Allah’s pleasure rather than trying to fit in with society. Our aim should be to follow the example of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the pious. As for the ruling it is permissible for women to wear this as long as it is normal for women to dress in this way in that society. The clothing must not be tight-fitting and must not expose the shape of the body. In general, women must not expose any part of the body which must be covered to strange men.

The Best Dua to be Recited at the End of a Gathering

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

What is the best dua to recite at the end of a gathering?

The best dua is the dua which the Prophet ﷺ taught us:

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ

Subhanakallahumma wa bi hamdika ashadu alla ilaha illa anta astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk Continue reading The Best Dua to be Recited at the End of a Gathering

On Kissing the Thumbnails When the Prophet ﷺ is Mentioned During the Adhan

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

What is our position on kissing our thumbnails and rubbing them on our eyes when the Prophet is mentioned during the adhan?

This practice should be given its place, which is that it is the practice of many of the pious people of the Ummah. It cannot be considered an innovation or something prohibited. Likewise, it cannot be considered an obligation. We should not make an issue of these things, but rather we should focus on that which is more important and beneficial.

 

Dealing With Those Who are Reluctant to Work With Us

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

What can we do if we find our brothers are reluctant to work together on dawah projects?

We should ask Allah to rectify the situation, maintain ties with them and ask other people to encourage them to co-operate. We should also invite them to attend meetings or gatherings from time to time.

 

Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Ya Barr (The Beneficent)

This prayer is taken from Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz’s collection of prayers using Allah’s beautiful names in which he calls upon Allah by His beautiful names and then asks Him to bestow prayers upon His Beloved by those names. Finally, he asks Allah for a portion of those attributes which belong to Allah and which He has bestowed upon His Messenger ﷺ.

اللَّهُمَّ يا اللهُ يا بَرُّ صَلِّ على عَبْدِكَ و حَبِيبِكَ سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ البَرِّ و على آلِهِ و صَحْبِهِ و سَلِّمْ تَسْلِيماً و كُنْ لنا بِهِ بَرَّاً رَؤُوفاً

O Allah, the Beneficent, bestow abundant prayers and peace upon Your slave and beloved, our Master Muhammad, the beneficent Prophet and upon his Family and Companions, and by him be beneficent and kind to us.

Remembering Hababah Zahra

Extracts from a talk delivered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) in remembrance of his mother, Hababah Zahra bint Hafiz al-Haddar (may Allah have mercy upon her). 

“In this gathering we remember this noble woman and her departure from this life: a life full of tests, a life in which one takes provision for the next life. Few people live to her age, to be among those that the Messenger of Allah mentioned:

‘The best of you are those who are blessed with long life and good works.’ Continue reading Remembering Hababah Zahra

Keeping the Company of the Poor

Advice from Habib Ali al-Habashi (may Allah have mercy upon him and benefit us by him).

You must show good character to all people. Through good character you may attain the stations of the people of immense truthfulness (al-siddiqun) and ascend to the highest levels of certainty. Be the most gentle and forbearing of people. Pardon those who wrong you and give to those who refuse to give you anything. If someone treats you badly, treat them well and forgive their wrongdoings however great they are. Continue reading Keeping the Company of the Poor

Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Ya Muta’al (The Exalted One)

This prayer is taken from Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz’s collection of prayers using Allah’s beautiful names in which he calls upon Allah by His beautiful names and then asks Him to bestow prayers upon His Beloved by those names. Finally, he asks Allah for a portion of those attributes which belong to Allah and which He has bestowed upon His Messenger ﷺ.

اللَّهُمَّ يا اللهُ يا مُتَعَالِ صَلِّ على عَبْدِكَ و حَبِيبِكَ سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الَّذي تَعَالَتْ رُتْبَتُهُ و مَكَانَتُهُ و على آلِهِ و صَحْبِهِ و سَلِّمْ تَسْلِيماً و ارْفَعْنا في مَرَاتِبِ قُرْبَكَ العَالِيَةِ رِفْعاً

O Allah, the Exalted One, bestow abundant prayers and peace upon Your slave and beloved, our Master Muhammad, the Prophet whose rank and station are exalted and upon his Family and Companions, and raise us in the lofty ranks of closeness to You.

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 ?