Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
We find some people in the West claiming to be shaykhs who can guide people and help them reach Allah. However, they have never studied any of the Islamic sciences at the hands of scholars but rather they have read books on their own. When we try to give them sincere advice they reject it. How should we deal with people like this? Continue reading On Dealing with Self-Proclaimed Scholars
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Do I need permission to read and study religious texts?
There is great benefit in the explanation of the scholars. Furthermore if you have permission (ijazah) from them to read or study a specific text it is more likely to be beneficial and your understanding will be deeper. However, every Muslim who studies these books will benefit, especially if one studies them with love, yearning and desire to travel the path.
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
How can I teach others when I don’t act upon my knowledge? Continue reading On Teaching and the Fear of Not Acting Upon Your Knowledge
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
I fear that your purification lessons are a proof against me as they carry great benefit and I do not act upon them as I should. For this reason, I feel that I should stop following them. Continue reading On Fear of Purification Lessons Being a Proof Against You
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What can a student recite in order to keep his intentions pure and to banish laziness and procrastination at the time of study? Continue reading Dhikr to Assist Your Studies
Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What advice do you have for students of knowledge?
The most important thing is that they have exaltation for the Sacred Law and sacred knowledge. They should also bring to heart the greatness of seeking knowledge in the sight of Allah and how beneficial it will be to them in the next world.
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
How can I convince myself that I am ignorant when I have studied fiqh and hadith?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
I am responsible for organising a mawlid. Sometimes I am so busy with the organisation that I am not actually joyful during the mawlid. What should I do?
You should make the preparations for the mawlid while in a state of joy and at the same time following the Sunnah. The preparations should not be excessive and there should not be any ostentation. While organising you should have love for the Prophet ﷺ in your heart and be conscious that you are following him. While busy with the organisation you should be bestowing prayers upon him.
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Translator’s Note: these principles can be applied to anyone involved in organising or serving gatherings of knowledge or remembrance.
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
How can we attend mawlid gatherings sincerely for the sake of Allah?
We should attend seeking the pleasure of the Creator through loving and venerating His Prophet ﷺ and mentioning his attributes. We should then think about how we can act upon what we hear, and improve our following of the Prophet and making a firm resolve to attain the attributes that we hear mentioned. If we do this in every mawlid we attend we will be connected to the spirit and aims of the mawlid.
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What were the Prophet’s favourite foods?
The food the Prophet ﷺ ate most was dates. He also ate barley, wheat and sorghum. He loved squash and he loved sweet things, especially honey. He liked the foreleg and the shoulder of the sheep.
