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On Touching Graves

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

Is touching graves a blameworthy innovation, as Imam al-Nawawi mentions?

Doing so may be considered a blameworthy innovation if the person doing so is motivated by an incorrect belief or if it is done in a way that resembles the polytheists. It may also be considered a blameworthy innovation if doing so leads ordinary people who lack knowledge to fall into doing something impermissible. The general principle is that it is disliked unless it is done out of love and longing for the person whose grave it is.

There are several examples of the Companions touching the Prophet’s grave. Sayyiduna Bilal bin Harith al-Muzani pressed himself to the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and kissed it, hoping that the Prophet would intercede and that they would be given rain. He then saw the Prophet in a dream who instructed him to go to Sayyiduna `Umar and to tell him to perform the rain prayer and they will then be given rain and this happened. His actions were witnessed by a number of the Companions and no-one condemned him for doing what he did.

Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub al-Ansari once pressed his face to the grave of the Prophet ﷺ. When he was he was criticised for what he was doing, he said: “I did not come to a stone but rather I came to the Messenger of Allah.”

On Focusing on the Next Life

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

We are taught to turn away from this life and focus on the next life. However our worries and responsibilities preoccupy us. How do we clear our minds and focus on the next life?

Our worries should remind us of the worthlessness of this life and cause us to turn away from it. We should flee to Allah and seek that He removes our worries. At the same time, by fulfilling our responsibilities we take provision for the next life.

 

On Truthfulness

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) expounds on some of the meanings of truthfulness.

Truthfulness (sidq) is a station beyond sincerity (ikhlas). Sincerity relates to your intention and your purpose. Truthfulness is comprehensive and incorporates every expression of your approach to Allah, your aims and your mastering and perfecting your actions. One way of differentiating between the two is that the truthful person has no pride in his actions (‘ujb), whereas the sincere person shows no ostentation (riya’). Continue reading On Truthfulness

On Serving Others While Studying

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

How can a student of knowledge be involved in serving others while not being distracted from his studies?

You can give sincere advice (nasihah) and encouragement to your fellow students and you can serve them in things which do not take a lot of time and effort. You can use your knowledge to write articles on beneficial topics.

On Teaching Islam to Prisoners

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

I work as an imam in a prison. What topics should I talk about when I teach the inmates?

This is an important job and allows you to benefit people by calling them to Allah. We are happy that you are doing it. Focus on things which strengthen their iman and trust in Allah. You should remind them of the importance of staying on the Straight Path, which saves them from the prison of this life and the greater prison in the next life. Remind them of the different states of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Remind them of the importance of having sabr (patience and fortitude) and remind them that they will be rewarded if they are patient and it will have a good impact on their time in prison. Continue reading On Teaching Islam to Prisoners

True Intellect

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) reflects upon the true meaning of intellect.

To truly possess intellect means to understand the truth that Allah revealed to the Messenger of Truth ﷺ. Whoever does not understand this cannot be described as possessing intellect. Such a person may know how to eat and drink, trade, give and take in this worldly life, but Allah guides even animals to some of these things. He is the One who apportions and guides. He guides animals to fulfil their worldly needs:

Continue reading True Intellect

On Dealing With Those Who Backbite Us

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

How do we deal with those who backbite us, particularly if it has negative consequences on our dawah efforts?

You should ask Allah that He allows such people to repent. You should rely upon Allah’s bounty and generosity in attaining success in dawah and do not be concerned by these perceived negative consequences. All the Prophets and Messengers suffered backbiting and mockery but this did not prevent them from being successful in their dawah. The Devil often deceives people into making perceived negative consequences an excuse not to pardon and forgive the person who has wronged them. Rather you should follow the Prophet ﷺ and the pious in swiftly forgiving such people. If you are truthful in this, Allah will aid your dawah efforts.

On Carrying a Staff

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

 Is it a sunnah to carry a staff?

Someone may carry one out of need due to old age or poor health. Other than that, it is a sunnah for the khatib to carry it while delivering the khutbah on Friday and for someone travelling. At the age of forty, Imam al-Shafi`i started to carry a staff. When asked about this (since he was still in good health) he said that it was to remind him that he was travelling, meaning to the next life. There is no harm in anyone carrying one unless it is the custom in a certain area that only people of knowledge and piety or older people carry one. In that case, the custom of that area should be respected. A woman should only use a staff if she needs it due to old age or poor health. Otherwise her modesty should prevent her from doing so.

 

 

On the Intention for Reciting Surat al-Waq’iah

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

With what intention should we recite Surat al-Waq’iah?

We should recite Surat al-Waq’iah with the intention of increasing in certainty and increasing in inward and outward provision. The Surah mentions the states of the hereafter, reflecting upon which is one of the foundations in strengthening one’s certainty. Allah also calls us to strengthen our certainty by looking at the created things around us: Do you see the seed that you sow in the ground? Is it you that cause it to grow or are We the cause? Do you see the water which you drink? Do you bring it down from the clouds or do We?

On the Method of Seclusion (Khalwah)

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

How do I go about secluding myself for the purpose of worship (making khalwah)?

Any time in which you are alone focusing on Allah is a type of khalwah. At that time you should recite the Qur’an or adhkar which have been transmitted. The purpose of khalwah is focusing oneself on Allah, being present with Him and purifying your heart. The most beneficial dhikr for the majority of Muslims and those at the beginning of the path is la ilaha ill’Allah. The utmost benefit in times of seclusion is obtained through the permission and observation of your shaykh and through his giving you adhkar which are appropriate to you.