Category: Social Issues

Advice for University Students

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

What advice do you have for students starting a new year at college or university?

Go with the intention of dawah (calling people to Allah) and having a good effect on those around you by displaying kindness and good character. Engage with people and clarify the teachings of Islam when the opportunity arises. Seek to be among those mentioned in the hadith who mix with people and patiently bear any harm they receive from them (who are better than those who do not mix with people and do not patiently bear any harm). Strive to lower your gaze when this is required and maintain a good opinion of people. Be among those who remember Allah amidst those who are heedless of Him.

Advice on the Covid-19 Vaccine

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) said: The only real safety from this Virus and all kinds of difficulties and calamities is in connecting to Allah, relying upon Him, remembering Him in abundance, calling upon Him and obeying His commands.

If you can avoid the vaccine, this is better. If, however, you are obliged to take it, then put your trust in Allah and patiently seek His reward and He will protect you from all harm. Continue reading Advice on the Covid-19 Vaccine

How Do We Understand the Suffering of Children?

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

There are many wisdoms in this. One of the greatest of these is that it makes us conscious of Allah’s grace: had He wished, He could have made the same thing happen to us when we were children. It also allows us to come to know the greatness of Allah’s lordship in that He does whatever He wishes with His creation. We also need to realise that beyond this there are elements of divine mercy which our intellects cannot comprehend and we must recognise that we only partially perceive what is taking place in existence. They also make us realise that this world is a place of calamities so we become more detached from it and prepare for the everlasting abode of the next life.

 

On Celebrating Birthdays

People tend to go to excess with regard to birthdays. Rather than making a big fuss about them as people around us often do, birthdays should be an opportunity for us to reflect on the passing of our lives and to show gratitude to Allah for His blessings. We should give some charity and take ourselves to account. We should renew our resolve to do good and get closer to Allah. We should make tawbah and resolve to stay away from wrongdoing. The birthdays we should commemorate are the birthdays of the Prophets and those who reached high ranks.

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

On Islamic TV Serials

Can we benefit from Islamic TV serials?

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

The best and most appropriate thing is for a Muslim to learn Islamic history directly from reliable sources – either books or scholars. These serials vary in terms of their accuracy, quality and presentation of the facts so if we are going to watch them, we should choose the best ones.

They may be beneficial in several ways: they may educate beginners and those who don’t have the desire to read and study; they may cause people to research a particular subject more deeply and someone who is already well-versed in a certain area may also watch them to get a better understanding of the field and may do something better in the future.

On Buying Products from Countries in which Muslims are Being Oppressed

I buy and sell products online and I found that most of the products I was buying are produced in countries in which Muslims are being oppressed. Should I continue buying from these countries?

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

Unfortunately Muslims suffer oppression both in non-Muslim countries and in Muslim countries. If you know for certain that your money will be used in acts of disobedience to Allah or that it will benefit individuals or companies known to be engaged in this oppression then these transactions must be avoided. If that is not the case, then you are permitted to buy products from those countries. The Prophet ﷺ allowed some trade with Mecca to continue even though the disbelievers of Quraysh were oppressing the Muslims. When the Companion Thumamah bin Uthal prevented caravans from carrying food to Mecca, the Prophet commanded him to allow them to do so.

 

Raising Children Leaves No Time for Seeking Knowledge

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

All my time is spent raising my children and I feel I am missing out on worship and seeking knowledge. What advice can you give me?

For you to raise your children in the best way is an act of worship and is part of acting according to your knowledge. Try to follow a class when you have a bit of spare time. A pious woman from the Amudi tribe (in Hadramawt) wrote out the whole of Imam al-Subki’s three volume fatwa collection. At the end she wrote: ‘Please excuse any mistakes I may have made because I wrote this while I was breastfeeding’. The truthful person continues doing good works however small regardless of the situation.

Photo credit: mahabbah.foundation

Advice on Electronic Currencies

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

  • What do you say about investing in electronic currencies?

These are one of the tricks and ploys that have been used to delude people who are hoping to make some money. They have no basis in the Sacred Law and the end result in investing in these currencies will not be good.

Continue reading Advice on Electronic Currencies