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.

Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Yā Fattāḥ (the Opener)

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 Fattāḥ (the Opener)

On Academic Studies

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

What should our perspective be on academic studies?

Academic studies should be seen merely as a means of attaining knowledge. We recognise that this is the system in place and that it encompasses various philosophies. There is no harm in using it as a means to attain knowledge as long as we do not contravene the Sacred Law in doing so. It is important to emphasise that academic studies do not take the place of Islamic studies. Thus anyone who enters into academic studies must also devote some time to studying the Sacred Law at the hands of those who are worthy of teaching it and possess sound chains of connection in the Islamic sciences.

Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Yā Razzāq (the Provider)

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 Razzāq (the Provider)

Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Yā Wahhāb (the Bestower)

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 Wahhāb (the Bestower)

The Aqidah of Shaykh Ali bin Abu Bakr al-Sakran

The Aqidah of Shaykh Ali bin Abu Bakr al-Sakran is a short but comprehensive statement of the tenets of faith of the Ahl al-Sunnah. It should be recited on a daily basis. Shaykh Ali composed it to make firm the faith of those that recite it and protect them from deviance so that they meet Allah fully witnessing His oneness. It is particularly beneficial in our time in which the very foundations of our faith are liable to be shaken. Continue reading The Aqidah of Shaykh Ali bin Abu Bakr al-Sakran

Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Yā Ghaffār (the Ever-Forgiving)

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 Ghaffār (the Ever-Forgiving)

Salawat with Allah’s Beautiful Names: Yā Muṣawwir (the Fashioner)

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 Muṣawwir (the Fashioner)

On Learning How to Forgive Others

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

How can someone forgive and pardon people who have wronged him?

We can attain praiseworthy traits and rid ourselves of blameworthy traits with a combination of knowledge and action. We should thus remember the greatness of pardoning and forgiving people and the reward for doing so. We should reflect upon examples of the forbearance of the Prophet ﷺ and the pious, love them for the sake of Allah, and then force ourselves to forgive those who have wronged us and to treat them well.