Category: Blessed Days

Seeking Allah’s Forgiveness After Hajj

One of the first things Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) did when he returned to Tarim after performing hajj was to seek Allah’s forgiveness. The Prophet said ﷺ : “O Allah, forgive the one who has made hajj and the one for whom he seeks forgiveness.” This is the prayer he made:

O Allah, as Your Prophet ﷺ taught us, we seek Your forgiveness for ourselves and those present and our families and our children and those in our homes and our neighbours and our companions and our students and all Muslims and believers male and female. Continue reading Seeking Allah’s Forgiveness After Hajj

What is Meant by Hajj Mabrur?

Habib Ali al-Jifri (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) asks: what is meant by the term ‘hajj mabrur’?

All praise is for Allah.

Our Master Muhammad ﷺ said: “The performance of `umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous `umrah; and the reward of hajj mabrur is nothing less than Paradise.”[1]

The Mother of the Believers, Sayyidatuna Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “O Messenger of Allah, us women consider jihad to be the best of actions. Should we not perform jihad?” Continue reading What is Meant by Hajj Mabrur?

Bidding Farewell to Ramadan

We thank Allah for the blessing of Ramadan and for all that He has enabled us to do and we ask Him to give us the best ending to this blessed month.

The Messenger of Allah  ﷺ said that on the final night of the month everyone would be forgiven. His Companions asked if this night was Laylat al-Qadr.

He replied: “No, do you not see that when workers finish their work they are paid their wages in full?” Continue reading Bidding Farewell to Ramadan

Salat for the Night of Badr

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) recommends this prayer in abundance on the night of Badr:

يا حَيُّ يا قَيُّومُ صَلِّ على حَبِيبِكَ سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّد، وأَغِثْنِي بِهِ، وعلى آلِهِ وصَحْبِهِ وسَلِّمْ

Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum salli `ala habibika sayyidina Muhammad wa aghithni bihi wa `ala alihi wa sahbhihi wa sallim

O Living, O Sustainer, bestow prayers and peace upon Your Beloved, our Master Muhammad and upon his Family and Companions and by him come to my aid!

 

Commemorating Badr

On the 17th of Ramadan, we commemorate the Battle of Badr, which took place on that day in the second year of the Hijrah. It is one of the most important events in the history of the Ummah, and Allah describes it as “the Day of Decision.” Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) places great emphasis on commemorating it and marks the event by completing the Qur’an in Tarawih on the eve of the 17th, after which there are big celebrations in Dar al-Mustafa attended by thousands. The rest of the night is spent in prayer, remembrance and supplication, since prayers are answered when the Qur’an is completed.

Habib Umar reflects upon some of the lessons we can learn from Badr. Extracts from a Friday khutbah, Masjid al-Rawdah, Tarim 12th Ramadan 1432 / 12th August 2011.  Continue reading Commemorating Badr

Finding Qur’an Recitation Difficult

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

I find it difficult to recite the Qur’an, so during Ramadan I read a translation of the Qur’an. Will I be rewarded for this?

You will receive the reward of seeking knowledge and the reward for this is great. You should continue this but also recite even a small portion of the Qur’an, even if it is repeating Surat al-Ikhlas, Surat al-Falaq and Surat al-Nas. You should also say ‘la ilaha ill’Allah’ in abundance and intend by doing so reciting the Qur’an.

(Note: words of remembrance such as alhamdulillah and la ilaha ill’Allah are contained in the Qur’an so when saying them one can intend reciting the Qur’an and gain extra reward)

 

Long Days and Children Fasting

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

The days are very long in some places making fasting very difficult for children close to the age of puberty. What should they do?

They should not be burdened with more than they can bear. They should be encouraged to fast half the day or most of the day. Although their fast will not be legally valid, they will become accustomed to fasting and their hearts will become attached to it so that when they are older it is easier for them.

 

How can we make our children love Ramadan?

We do this by mentioning the mercy, bounty and kindness that Allah shows in Ramadan.

 

Post Tarawih Qasaid

The tradition after the Tarawih prayer in Tarim is to recite poetry in praise of the Prophet ﷺ . Through praising him and bestowing prayers upon him it is hoped that people’s worship is accepted, and he is at his most generous in Ramadan, as the hadith tells us. Other poems that welcome Ramadan, talk about its merits and bid farewell to it are also read throughout the month along with a selection of duas. Many of these can be found in Habib Muhammad al-Haddar’s book al-Nafahat al-Ramadaniyyah. Coffee is served to rejuvenate those present.

Every night, a section is read from three collections of poetry. Each section corresponds to a letter of the Arabic Alphabet and the verses from that section end in that letter. The collections can be downloaded here:

Al-Fazaziyyah

Al-Qawafi

Al-Witriyyah