Category: Dawah

On Permission to Call People to Allah

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

Do we need permission to call people to Allah?

We have been given general permission by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ to call people to Allah. This is understood from the following hadiths: “Convey (the message) on my behalf even if it is only one verse”; “The one who calls people to guidance will have a reward like the reward of all those who follow him”; “Let the one present among you convey (the message) to those absent”; “May Allah illuminate the face of a person who hears my words and understands them and then conveys them to others exactly as he heard them.” Continue reading On Permission to Call People to Allah

Rectification of the Ummah

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) discusses the problems the Ummah is currently facing and offers solutions to those problems. A summary of a Friday khutbah delivered in Masjid al-Rawdah, Tarim, on 10th Jumada al-Ula 1434 / 22nd March 2013. These words come in the wake of the shocking murder of Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id Ramadan al-Bouti (may Allah have mercy upon him) in Syria the previous night.

O believers in Allah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the one entrusted with guiding us and rectifying us, taught us how to respond to calamities and hardship. He taught us that the founding principle is returning to Allah and calling upon the One Who has control over all affairs. We need to realise our slavehood to Him and to realise our complete subjection to His power and authority. Continue reading Rectification of the Ummah

Calling people to Allah from the Platform of the Sacred Law

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) explains the basis upon which we call to Allah.

If you wish to follow this path you must know that you call people to Allah from the platform of the Sacred Law, meaning that you try to bring them to Allah by reminding them of Allah’s orders and prohibitions, by teaching them to venerate Allah and His Messenger and by reminding them to prepare for the Hereafter. Continue reading Calling people to Allah from the Platform of the Sacred Law

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

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 Scholars Taking Political Stances

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

Many of the scholars of whom we have a high opinion of have taken political stances in these times of discord. How should we deal with this?

If they have taken political stances we should firmly believe that they have taken these stances on the basis of understanding given to them by Allah. We accept their stances but do not follow them in them and do not publicise those stances. We should follow them in other things.

On Helping to Educate New Muslims

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

How can we best educate those who have recently accepted Islam in our community?

The best thing we can do is to teach new Muslims a sound understanding of the religion. We need to teach them how to perform the most important acts of worship and we need to teach them about Allah, His Prophets and Messengers, the angels and the next life. We should encourage them to show people noble character, especially their parents and families. We should direct them to be a cause of guidance of others. We should hold gatherings for them or establish a place of learning for them.

Insights into Bestowing Prayers Upon the Prophet ﷺ

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) provides some valuable insights into bestowing prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ. 

The Reality of Bestowing Prayers upon Him

Allah ordered us to bestow prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ but we are certain that we are unable to do anything of our own accord, so instead of attempting to do so we request that Allah Himself bestows prayers on the Prophet. He called this request of ours prayers from us and said: Bestow prayers and peace upon him in abundance. (Al-Ahzab, 33:56) In reality, however, these prayers are from Him as we are incapable of bestowing them ourselves. That is why if we wish to bestow prayers upon the Prophet we say ‘O Allah,’ or ‘O Lord, bestow prayers upon him.’ Continue reading Insights into Bestowing Prayers Upon the Prophet ﷺ