Category: Dawah

On Advising Parents or Elders

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

How do we give advice to parents or relatives who are older than us if they disobey Allah?

We should ask elders or people they respect to give them advice. We can also give them books or show them videos which we think may affect them. The consequences in the next life of acts of disobedience may be mentioned to them but indirectly and with the appropriate respect and courtesy.

In general we should not be overly affected by the negative things we see in them. We should focus on their positive attributes and do what we can to rectify the situation.

On Avoiding Those Who Do Not Benefit Us Without Driving Them Away From Islam

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

How do we avoid keeping company with people who do not benefit us without driving them away from Islam?

You must avoid the wrong that they do while showing them good character and giving them good advice and kind words when the opportunity arises. If they are doing something which is forbidden do not partake in it but do not be harsh to them when they are not doing so. Continue to ask Allah to rectify them and guide them. Keep in mind that they may be guided and then intercede for you on the Day of Judgement. The bounty of Allah cannot be limited.

Our Condition Today: The Disease and The Remedy

Sayyidi Habib Ali al-Jifri (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) assesses the condition of the Ummah.

We live in a time of struggle. Things happen fast and one event quickly follows another. This leads to an imbalance, impairs people’s judgement and clouds their vision. People are in dire need of some quiet time in which to stop and reflect. They may then attain a moment of truthfulness and Allah will in turn bless him with some insight. Continue reading Our Condition Today: The Disease and The Remedy

On Taking a Wage for Teaching the Islamic Sciences and the Qur’an

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

Should someone take money for teaching the Islamic Sciences?

Earning money should not be the intention and objective of the one teaching. Teaching the Islamic sciences should not be turned into a business. Rather, the teacher should be concerned about conveying the Sacred Law to people. Continue reading On Taking a Wage for Teaching the Islamic Sciences and the Qur’an

On Uniting the Rich and Poor

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

How can we unite the Muslims in the US, particularly the rich and poor?

We should encourage Muslims to show mercy and compassion to each other and we should encourage the wealthy to donate some of their wealth to the poor. We should bring them together in gatherings of knowledge and remembrance. We should arrange visits between different communities. The wealthy should visit the poor with humility and the poor should visit the rich not desiring their wealth. They should visit each other for the sake of Allah, to please the Prophet ﷺ and to strengthen the ties of brotherhood.

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.

On Being Distracted While Making Dhikr

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

I find myself thinking about calling to Allah when I am making dhikr. Is this blameworthy?

You should focus on the meaning of the dhikr that you are reading. Everything has an appointed time and you should focus on the thing you are doing while you are doing it. An exception to this is an urgent issue relating to calling to Allah which needs to be addressed immediately.

On Ashura Gatherings

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

What should we do if our Shia friends invite us to one of their gatherings on Ashura?

We tell them that there are sunnahs which the grandfather of Sayyiduna al-Husayn taught us to implement on this day. If there is anything prohibited that takes place in the gathering, such as people hitting themselves or cursing the Companions, then we cannot attend. Continue reading On Ashura Gatherings

The True Meaning of Calling to Allah

Habib Ali al-Jifri (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) explains the true meaning of calling to Allah. 

Calling to Allah is an act that draws one closer to Allah. Its essence is a burning passion in the heart of the caller based upon love, mercy, wanting good for people and the desire to be a source of joy to the Prophet ﷺ. If this is ignited in the heart of the caller, he longs to attach the hearts of those around him to their Creator. Other worldly things which motivate most people then become meaningless to him. Continue reading The True Meaning of Calling to Allah