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Finding Strength in our Weakness

Advice from Habib Kazim al-Saqqaf (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

To be raised by Allah, one needs to lower oneself and realise one’s weakness and one’s slavehood to Allah.

We should repeat this prayer which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught the Companion, Buraydah. He said to him: “Shall I not teach you words that Allah teaches to the one for whom He wants good, and then never allows him to forget them? Continue reading Finding Strength in our Weakness

Insights into Purification: Covering Containers

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us not to leave containers with food or drink in them uncovered overnight. Even empty containers should not be left uncovered. If they are left uncovered, they should be washed before being used. If they cannot be covered completely, it is enough to put a stick or something similar over the container and to say “bismillah” (in the name of Allah). This will be a means of protection. Continue reading Insights into Purification: Covering Containers

Habib ‘Abdullah bin Husayn’s Prayer for the Removal of Hardships

This is Habib ‘Abdullah bin Husayn bin Tahir’s prayer which has been tried and tested for the removal of hardships:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ و عَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ صَلاةَ عَبْدٍ قَلَّتْ حِيلَتُهُ و رَسُولُ اللهِ وَسِيلتُهُ  وأَنْتَ لها يا إِلهي و لِكُلِّ كَرْبٍ عَظِيمٍ فَفَرِّجْ ما أَنا فيِهِ بِسِرِّ :بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم

O Allah, bestow prayers upon our Master Muhammad and upon the Family of our Master Muhammad, the prayers of a slave who has no way out and the Messenger of Allah is his only intermediary. My Lord, You are here for this and for every great calamity, so remove the hardship that I am in through the secret of: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.’

On Priorities in Choosing Whose Company to Keep

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

Should we give priority to keeping the company of people who are on the same path or those who remind us of Allah?

You should strive to keep the company of those who remind you of Allah but at the same time give those who are on the same path their rights. Their rights are that you check up on them, help them as far as you able to and pray for them. It is not our way to avoid keeping the company of anyone as long as there is benefit in that and no harm.

On Permission to Read the Books of Imam al-Ghazali

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

Do we need permission to read the books of Imam al-Ghazali?

The books of Imam al-Ghazali are extremely beneficial and are quick to rectify and illuminate the heart. It is said that the early Ba `Alawi Imams praised two things to a great extent: the books of Imam al-Ghazali and the visit of the Prophet Hud (peace be upon him). This shows that there is a general permission to read the books and there is nothing to stop the person reading it.

 

Principles Regarding Taking Bayah

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

I have taken bayah with another shaykh previously. May I still take bayah with you?

Anyone who has taken bayah with another shaykh whose tariqah is sound should remain true to that bayah as far as he is able. He should only take bayah with another shaykh with the intention of seeking blessings from that shaykh (tabarruk) as long as he has the permission of his original shaykh. Continue reading Principles Regarding Taking Bayah