Category: Living in the West

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.

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 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.

 

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

On Christmas Greetings

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

What is the ruling on greeting Christians at Christmas?

As Muslims, we honour Sayyiduna Isa (peace be upon him) and his birth and the Prophet ﷺ himself prayed in the place in which he was born on the night of the Isra and Mi`raj. There is no harm in greeting Christians as long as the greeting does not imply an affirmation of their belief in the Trinity. It is also impermissible to take part in any ceremony in which there is an affirmation of their belief in the Trinity or in which there is a contravention of the Sacred Law.

See also this answer on greeting non Muslims on their holy days

On Recent Political Events in the US

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

How should we react to recent political events in the US?

You should not be concerned whether one president comes or one goes. Your Lord is Allah and your intermediary is His Messenger ﷺ. Everyone is in His dominion. None of the events which take place on the earth should shake our belief in the information we have received from the heavens. The Prophet ﷺ  said: “Be certain that victory comes with perseverance, relief comes after affliction and ease comes after hardship.” You should not be worried and you should not fall short in fulfilling your religious obligations. There is no doubt that Islam will spread to the different corners of the earth.