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On Giving Advice to Shia Friends and Relatives

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

How do we give advice to relatives or friends who follow the Shia branch of Islam?

If you see that they are ready to listen you should try to explain to them in the most appropriate way that the Qur’an praises the Companions, the Prophet ﷺ praised them and so too did Sayyiduna Ali and his children and grandchildren. The example we should follow is the example of the Prophet and the elect of the Prophetic Household (Ahl al-Bayt). Continue reading On Giving Advice to Shia Friends and Relatives

Can Driving be a Form of Khalwah?

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

Can someone who is driving alone to work be considered to be in a form of khalwah (spiritual seclusion)?

Yes, this could be a lesser khalwah when one isolates oneself to be with Allah. It is like when someone wraps a shawl around their head so they can only see what is in front of them and not what is around them.

On Women Balancing Between Work and Home

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

How can women perform their duties at home if they also have to go out to work?

They can do this by only going out when it is necessary to do and by wearing modest attire when they do so. They should follow the example of the daughters of the Prophet Shu`ayb, whom Allah mentions in the Qur’an: He (Musa) found at a distance from them two women keeping back (their flocks).[1] They refused to mix with the men but rather waited until they had finished watering their flocks. When their father sent one of them to Musa, Allah describes her as ‘walking shyly.’ When there is no longer a necessity for them to be out, they should return to attend to their duties in the house.

[1] Al-Qasas, 28:23

Insights into Purification: The Gecko and the Frog

If a dead creature which does not have flowing blood falls into some water, it does not make the water impure. The scholars say this includes a gecko and anything smaller than it.

The gecko came to the fire in which Sayyiduna Ibrahim had been cast and blew upon it, trying to increase its ferocity. Obviously this had no effect on the fire but due to its bad intention it is recommended to kill geckos.

The frog on the other hand filled its mouth with water and put it on the fire, trying to extinguish it. Obviously this had no effect on the fire but due to its good intention and its respect for Ibrahim it is impermissible to kill frogs. Continue reading Insights into Purification: The Gecko and the Frog

Salawat of Habib Ibrahim bin ‘Aqil bin Yahya

The following prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ are composed by Habib Ibrahim bin `Aqil bin Yahya (may Allah have mercy upon him and benefit us by him).

Habib Ibrahim said:

“Every act of worship is liable to be ruined by ostentation (riya’) except bestowing prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ because it is a means of intercession and it is accepted by Allah whatever the state of the person.” Continue reading Salawat of Habib Ibrahim bin ‘Aqil bin Yahya

Habib Ibrahim bin ‘Aqil bin Yahya

His Lineage

He is al-Habib al-`Allamah Ibrahim bin `Umar bin `Aqil bin `Abdullah bin `Umar bin Abu Bakr bin `Umar bin Taha bin Muhammad bin Shaykh bin Ahmad bin Yahya bin Hasan bin `Alawi bin Shaykh Muhammad Mawla al-Dawilah, bin `Ali Mawla al-Darak, bin `Alawi al-Ghayur, bin al-Faqih al-Muqaddam Muhammad, bin `Ali, bin Muhammad Sahib Mirbat, bin `Ali Khali` Qasam, bin `Alawi, bin Muhammad Sahib al-Sawma`ah, bin `Alawi, bin `Ubaydullah, bin al-Imam al-Muhajir il-Allah Ahmad, bin ` Isa, bin Muhammad al-Naqib, bin `Ali al-`Urayi, bin Ja`far al-Sadiq, bin Muhammad al-Baqir, bin `Ali Zayn al-`Abidin, bin Husayn al-Sibt, bin `Ali bin Abi Talib and Fatimah al-Zahra’, the daughter of our Master Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets ﷺ. Continue reading Habib Ibrahim bin ‘Aqil bin Yahya

Insights into Purification: A Different Type of Water

Allah created physical tangible water with which we cleanse our bodies from impurities, remove states of ritual impurity and wash our clothing and containers.

But He also created noble spiritual water with which our hearts, minds and souls may be cleansed from all types of impurities inward and outward, large and small. Continue reading Insights into Purification: A Different Type of Water

Selected Salawat: The Possessor of the Highest Station

Habib Kazim al-Saqqaf (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) recommends reciting the following prayer upon the Prophet ﷺ . It should be recited at least twice in the morning or evening, or ideally ten times. If someone recites it consistently, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ will be with them at the time of death and the pains of the throes of death will be reduced. Continue reading Selected Salawat: The Possessor of the Highest Station

Travels of the Soul

Allah created the souls of the Prophets and gave them the ability to travel such that on the night of the Isra and Mi’raj they could be present in Bayt al-Maqdis and also in the high heavens. He also created the souls of the elite of His servants who were not prophets, such as Ja’far bin Abi Talib. His soul had the ability to fly from Jordan to al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, give greetings to the Beloved ﷺ , speak to him and return in the blink of an eye. Continue reading Travels of the Soul