What advice do you have for people working in a mixed working environment?
Answered by Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Mixing between men and women is a problem that confronts Muslims in many parts of the world. Continue reading On Mixing Between Men and Women in the Workplace
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Some sisters fear being harassed if they wear the hijab in public in the current climate. What can they recite for protection?
They should recite the following whenever they leave the house: Continue reading On Fear of Wearing Hijab in Public
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
The situation is very difficult for Muslim women in France. The hijab is banned in schools and in the workplace and attacks on Muslim women are on the increase. There is widespread Islamophobia in the media and in politics. How should we react to these attacks and how should we protect our religion and not allow hatred to enter our hearts? Continue reading On Difficulties for Muslim Women in France
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What can we do to discourage convert sisters from wearing makeup?
First of all, we should strive to make faith firm in their hearts so that they taste the sweetness of faith. We should let them mix with other sisters who have left things like makeup. Continue reading On Discouraging Convert Sisters From Wearing Makeup
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
The reason for this is that there are more women than men in total, so just as the majority of the people of the Fire are women, likewise the majority of the people of Paradise are women. Continue reading Why do Women Make up the Majority of the People of the Fire?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What can someone who has not been able to conceive recite?
Our Shaykh, Habib ‘Attas al-Habashi, used to recommend reciting Surat al-Fatihah 41 times between the Sunnah and Fard of Fajr with the intention of being blessed with a child. Continue reading Adkhar for Someone Who Has Not Been Able to Conceive
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Some Muslim women in the West have taken to wearing a shirt and trousers so as not to stand out too much. What do you say about this?
As a principle, we should be concerned with seeking Allah’s pleasure rather than trying to fit in with society. Our aim should be to follow the example of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the pious. As for the ruling it is permissible for women to wear this as long as it is normal for women to dress in this way in that society. The clothing must not be tight-fitting and must not expose the shape of the body. In general, women must not expose any part of the body which must be covered to strange men.
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
How can women perform their duties at home if they also have to go out to work?
They can do this by only going out when it is necessary to do and by wearing modest attire when they do so. They should follow the example of the daughters of the Prophet Shu`ayb, whom Allah mentions in the Qur’an: He (Musa) found at a distance from them two women keeping back (their flocks).[1] They refused to mix with the men but rather waited until they had finished watering their flocks. When their father sent one of them to Musa, Allah describes her as ‘walking shyly.’ When there is no longer a necessity for them to be out, they should return to attend to their duties in the house.
[1] Al-Qasas, 28:23
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
After giving birth I have not been able to be consistent in my awrad and other acts of worship. What can I do to maintain my spiritual progress?
You should realise that raising your children is a type of worship so you should make a good intention in raising them and intend to follow the Prophet ﷺ in doing so.
You should take a moderate path – not neglecting the awrad completely and not trying to do too much. Rather you should do that which is easy for you to maintain. You will still be rewarded for that which you are unable to do.
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
A lot of my time is spent raising my children and doing the housework. How can I be consistent in reading my awrad?
Try to read the awrad while doing the housework. Perhaps the children will then memorise these awrad. A young child memorised Surah Ya Sin before knowing how to read and write just by hearing his mother reciting it while cleaning the house every day.
