Category: The Path

The Worst Type of Pride

Habib Ali al-Jifri said: “I asked my teacher, Habib Umar bin Hafiz: which is more dangerous – being proud of one’s actions or being proud of one’s understanding?”

Habib Umar replied (may Allah protect him): “Being proud of one’s understanding is more dangerous than being proud of one’s actions and its outcome is more serious. Look at the response of Iblis (may Allah protect us from him): I am better than him – You created me from fire and You created him from earth. Continue reading The Worst Type of Pride

Selected Salawat: Salat of Dhu’l-Hijjah

“In these days we want true prayer, true fasting, true recitation of the Qur’an and a true connection to the blessed Prophet ﷺ so that we can be close to him on the Day of Gathering, so that we can be with the best of people who come to drink from his pure Pool. O Allah, allow us to drink from his Pool, O Loving One, O Most Generous, O Most Merciful!“ Continue reading Selected Salawat: Salat of Dhu’l-Hijjah

What is the Intellect?

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

The intellect (‘aql) is a faculty which enables us to understand reality. It is unique to humans and through it they are able to access things which other creatures are unable to access. The intellect is a gift and secret which Allah bestowed upon mankind. Allah said about its origin: I breathed into him of My spirit (15:29) Continue reading What is the Intellect?

Advice for Visitors to Makkah and Madinah

Advice from Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) to visitors to the Two Holy Sanctuaries.

Allah says: If someone venerates the sacred things of Allah, this is truly a sign of piety in the heart (22:32). The five most sacred things are the Prophet ﷺ, the Ka’bah, the Qur’an, the five prayers and Ramadan. The Prophet is the most sacred of these things. Thus nothing is more pleasing to Allah than for us to go to him, since he is the most beloved of Allah’s creation to Him. However great the Ka’bah or the Throne is in Allah’s sight, nothing can compare to the greatness of the Prophet ﷺ. Continue reading Advice for Visitors to Makkah and Madinah

Imam al-Haddad’s Counsels on Hajj and Umrah

Counsels on Travelling

You must hold fast to all the acts of devotion which you perform regularly when you are not travelling. Do not make light of leaving any of them. You should make up any acts of devotion that you are unable to perform due to travelling when you are able to do so if they are of the sort that can be made up. If it is not possible to make them up, then remember that Allah has made things easy for people travelling. The hadith states: “If a believer travels or becomes sick, Allah orders His angels to record for him the same actions that he would perform when he was not travelling and was in good health.”1 This is a blessing, a mercy and a source of ease from Allah. All praise be to Allah – He is so merciful and kind to His slaves! Continue reading Imam al-Haddad’s Counsels on Hajj and Umrah

On Using Computer-Generated Music in Gatherings

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

Can we use computer-generated music in order to encourage people to attend our gatherings?

If the sounds generated resemble instruments that are forbidden (such as the flute) they should be avoided, but if they resemble instruments that are permissible (such as drums) this is acceptable. We should not hasten to attract people using means unless they are clearly permissible, for people will attend your gatherings in due course without the use of these means. Showing good character, reciting with beautiful voices and making our gatherings beautiful are prophetic means of calling people to Allah and are effective.