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On Uniting the Rich and Poor

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

How can we unite the Muslims in the US, particularly the rich and poor?

We should encourage Muslims to show mercy and compassion to each other and we should encourage the wealthy to donate some of their wealth to the poor. We should bring them together in gatherings of knowledge and remembrance. We should arrange visits between different communities. The wealthy should visit the poor with humility and the poor should visit the rich not desiring their wealth. They should visit each other for the sake of Allah, to please the Prophet ﷺ and to strengthen the ties of brotherhood.

Should I Have a Wird of Reciting Surat al-Fatihah?

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

Surat al-Fatihah is one of the best awrad for the seeker. It is good if it can be recited 40 or 41 times a day. Doing so is a means of removing affliction and fulfilling one’s needs. Even better is reciting it 100 times a day. It can be either be read at one time standing facing the qiblah, or it can be apportioned over the five prayers as follows: 21 times after Fajr, 22 times after Zuhr, 23 times after Asr, 24 times after Maghrib, and 10 times after Isha. If you are unable to complete the appointed number at the specific time you can make it up after the next prayer. Imam al-Ghazali and many knowers of Allah mention this method. Imam al-Haddad composed a dua to be read after this recitation.[1]

[1] See Wasilat al-`Ibad

 

Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Ya Basit (the One Who Expands)

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. Continue reading Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Ya Basit (the One Who Expands)

On Preventing Excessive Use of the Internet and Mobile Devices

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

How can we prevent excessive use of the Internet and mobile devices?

This can be done by focusing the heart on remembrance and reflection. You should remember Allah until His remembrance dominates your heart. You should reflect upon the life of the Prophet ﷺ. This engenders a longing to be in his company and a longing to meet him. You should also avoid keeping the company of those who spend a lot of time using the internet. Continue reading On Preventing Excessive Use of the Internet and Mobile Devices

On Raising Children and Mobile Devices

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

How do we raise our children in an open society in which they have access to mobile devices?

Firstly we should plant veneration and vigilance of Allah in their hearts through talking to them, spending time with them and taking them to attend gatherings of knowledge and remembrance. We should also tell them about the people of the past who had fear of Allah and show them videos and talks by scholars that will increase their fear of Allah.

We should put some restrictions on their use of these devices and upon their interaction with society so that they learn to take that which is of benefit and leave that which is not.

 

On Dealing With Those Who Disagree With the Mawlid

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

How do we deal with those who condemn celebrating the mawlid?

The mawlid is part of the Prophetic Biography (Sirah) and it should be treated just as the Sirah, the remembrance of Allah and the remembrance of the Prophet ﷺ are treated. Continue reading On Dealing With Those Who Disagree With the Mawlid

Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Yā ‘Alīm (the All-Knowing)

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. Continue reading Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Yā ‘Alīm (the All-Knowing)

On Using Images of the Dead for Humanitarian Causes

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

Should images of dead people be used to raise awareness of humanitarian issues?

Firstly, the dead person should not be displayed in a way that is degrading, since the sanctity of the believer is the same whether he is dead or alive. Secondly, there must be some benefit in displaying these images. Thirdly the person displaying them must have a good intention.

On Giving Advice to People Involved in Dawah

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

Sometimes the behaviour of certain people involved in dawah or spreading knowledge appears to be inconsistent with Prophetic teachings. Should we maintain a good opinion of them and make excuses for them or should we apply different criteria to them?

We should maintain a good opinion of all people. This does not prevent us, however, from giving sincere advice and counsel to such people. Our counsel should be appropriate to their station and personality.