May Allah have mercy on Habib Hasan bin Ahmad Ibn Shaykh Abu Bakr bin Salim. Habib Hasan was the Mansib, or head of the clan of Shaykh Abu Bakr bin Salim, and by extension the most senior representative of the School of Hadramawt and the Ba Alawi Way.
In his early years, Habib Hasan spent time in the pursuit of knowledge at the hands of the great scholars of his time. He studied in the Ribat of Tarim.
He was raised by his father, Habib Ahmad, a great man of Allah. Habib Alawi bin Shihab described Habib Ahmad as someone utterly devoted to his Lord. As a man of influence in Hadramawt, Habib Ahmad was a target for the Communist militias that instigated a reign of terror in the area. He was once abducted by them but managed to escape, evading a hail of bullets and lying low until the situation improved. Habib Hasan experienced these hardships alongside his father.
When Habib Ahmad passed away around 1414 (1994), Habib Hasan took on the responsibilities of the Mansib. For the next 33 years, he excelled in his leadership role, resolving disputes, serving the people of Hadramawt and fulfilling their needs. He made regular visits to Indonesia and other parts of the world to maintain his ancestral connections. He led the annual visit to the Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) and presided over many other important gatherings. He was a man of few words, and he would round off gatherings with a short dua and Fatihah. It was more about his presence and what he represented than what he said. His spiritual and symbolic leadership will be sorely missed.
He passed away in Jordan on 24th Sha’ban 1447 / 12th February 2026. His body was returned to ‘Inat for his janazah and burial alongside his ancestors the following day. Large crowds assembled on that Friday from all around Hadramawt and further afield to bid farewell to him. On the same day, Habib Hasan’s eldest son, Habib Ali, was made the new Mansib in a ceremony presided over by Habib Umar bin Hafiz and other senior Habaib.
May Allah raise his rank, reward him for his service and unite him with Allah’s Beloved ﷺ and all his great predecessors.