The Night of Mid-Sha’ban, known in Arabic as Laylat al-Nisf min Sha’ban, is one of the greatest nights of the year. In the Islamic understanding, the night precedes the day so it falls on the night before the fifteenth day of Sha’ban. ‘Ata’ bin Yasar, who narrated hadith from the Companions, said that after Laylat al-Qadr there is no night better than the Night of Mid-Sha’ban. Its greatness is due to the divine gifts that are bestowed during it. Continue reading The Night of Mid-Sha’ban
Category: Blessed Days
The Annual Visit to the Prophet Hud (peace be upon him)
Thousands will soon be gathering to attend the annual visit of the Prophet Hud (peace be upon him), probably the most significant event in the calendar of Hadramawt.
Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) will be leading his students to the visit. In doing so, he follows in the footsteps of his forefathers. It is said that the Ba `Alawi scholars went to great lengths to extol the virtues of two things: the books of Imam al-Ghazali, particularly Ihya’ `Ulum al-Din, and the visit of the Prophet Hud. Continue reading The Annual Visit to the Prophet Hud (peace be upon him)
Merits of Sha’ban
Scholars say that the linguistic root of the word Sha’ban is a branch, because many good things “branch off” from the month of Sha’ban. It acts as a bridge between the two blessed months of Rajab and Ramadan. In spite of this, it is often neglected. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ alerted us to this fact when he was asked why he was fasting so much in Sha’ban. He replied: “It is a month that people neglect, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which actions are raised to the Lord of the Worlds and I love for my actions to be raised while I am fasting.”1
The Maidservant Who Attained the Greatest Honour
Narrated by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
While on his Night Journey, the Prophet ﷺ smelt a beautiful scent. Jibril told him that this was the scent of the maidservant of the daughter of Fir`awn. She was someone who believed in Allah and loved Him. She was not affected or deluded by the manifestations of wealth and power that she witnessed while living in the palace of Fir`awn. One day when she was combing Fir`awn’s daughter’s hair, she accidentally dropped the comb. Continue reading The Maidservant Who Attained the Greatest Honour
The Night Journey with Habib ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Saqqaf
Extracts from talks by Habib ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Saqqaf (may Allah have mercy upon him and benefit us by him) on the subject of the Isra’ and Mi’raj.
The Ummah received great gifts from the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raj through the means of the Prophet ﷺ . Whenever this night comes around, the Ummah continues to benefit from the legacy which the Prophet left behind which remains as long as Allah remains. It continues to receive gifts, blessings and mercy. Continue reading The Night Journey with Habib ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Saqqaf
Reflections on the Isra’ and Mi’raj
Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) reflects upon the Isra’ (Night Journey) and Mi’raj (Ascension). A summary of several lectures on the topic.
We are approaching 27th Rajab, the night on which the Islamic world traditionally celebrates the Isra’ (Night Journey) and Mi’raj (Ascension) of our Prophet, the Chosen One ﷺ. The Isra’ and Mi’raj was a great sign and an immense miracle which Allah gave to the Master of the people of the heavens and the earth, to demonstrate his superiority over mankind, jinn-kind, angels and the whole of creation. Continue reading Reflections on the Isra’ and Mi’raj
Secrets of Seeking Forgiveness
Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) reflects on the topic of seeking Allah’s forgiveness in the month of Rajab and some of the secrets therein.
Rajab is a time of seeking forgiveness. It has been narrated: “Seek much forgiveness from Allah in Rajab because in every hour (of the month) Allah frees people from the Fire.”1 Continue reading Secrets of Seeking Forgiveness
Getting the Most out of Rajab
Advice from Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him).
There are a number of ways to get the most out of Rajab. Some of the most important are as follows:
1.Seeking forgiveness in abundance and making sincere repentance;
The Merits of Rajab
Rajab is one of the four sacred months. It stands alone, unlike the other three (Dhu’l-Qa`dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram) which come one after the other. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself would venerate this month. When the month entered he would seek its blessings, saying:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا في رَجَبٍ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنا رَمَضَانَ
Allahumma barik lana fi Rajabin wa Sha`ban wa ballighna Ramadan
“O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha`ban and enable us to reach Ramadan!”1
Fasting on 27th Rajab
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Is it recommended to fast on the day after the night of the Isra and Mi’raj (27th Rajab)?
Generally speaking fasting in the sacred months is better than fasting in the other months. There is a sound hadith in which Ibn Umar was asked whether the Prophet ﷺ used to fast in Rajab. He said: “Yes, and he would ennoble it (meaning the month of Rajab).” Some of the pious recommend fasting on the day of the Isra and Mi’raj but it is not something that has been directly narrated on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ . Above all, we should seek a true connection with the Prophet, the one who was taken on the Isra and Mi`raj.