One of the hallmarks of Habib Muhammad al-Haddar’s gatherings was that he would ask Allah for everything on behalf of everyone. No one and nothing was left out of his prayers. The following supplication is a case in point. If you are not sure what to ask for, then recite this comprehensive prayer: Continue reading A Comprehensive Prayer
Category: The Path
Imam al-Haddad at Arafat
This is how Imam al-Haddad (may Allah benefit us by him) describes standing at Arafat:
و في عرفاتٍ كلُّ ذنبٍ مُكَفَّرٌ و مُغْتَفَرٌ مِنَّا بِرَحْمَةِ غَافِرِ
وقفنا بها و الحمدلله و الثنا و شكراً له إن المزيد لشاكِرِ
Ta’rif – Gathering on the Day of Arafah in Tarim
Habib Alawi bin Abdullah al-Aydarus explains the practice of ‘Ta’rif’, gathering to remember Allah on the Day of Arafah and shows how it is practised in the blessed city of Tarim.
This footage is precious because present in the gathering are Habib Abdullah bin Shihab, Habib Salim al-Shatiri and Habib Ali al-Mashhur bin Hafiz, all of whom have now departed this world, may Allah have mercy upon them all. Habib Ali al-Mashhur is very hard to spot but his voice can be clearly heard reciting the adhkar.
Imam al-Haddad and the Ka’bah
Imam al-Haddad (may Allah benefit us by him) says:
وشاهدتْ الأرواحُ مِنَّا شعائراً معظمةً قَدْ ضَمَّها البيتُ و الفِنا
مقامٌ و حِجْرٌ و الشَّرابُ وإِنه لَكَوْثَرُ دارِ الخُلْدِ في عَالَمِ الفَنا
و كَمْ مَرَّةٍ عانقتُها و التزمتُها بِمُلْتَزَمِ الخَيْراتِ و الفوزِ و الهَنا
Our souls witnessed the sacred and venerated places in the precincts of Allah’s House: Continue reading Imam al-Haddad and the Ka’bah
Are We Allowed to Attend the Gatherings of Other Tariqahs?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Yes, as long as there is benefit in this and they are from Ahl al-Sunnah and that attending does not lead to anything which is forbidden.
Is Bestowing Abundant Prayers Upon the Prophet ﷺ a Substitute for a Shaykh?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
If someone bestows abundant prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ it helps them to overcome obstacles on the spiritual path, remove blameworthy qualities and gain noble qualities. Then through the blessing of bestowing those prayers, Allah unites that person with a shaykh who will be a means for them to reach Allah. So bestowing abundant prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ (and also abundant istighfar) is one of the best means to prepare someone for spiritual progress and facilitate their meeting with their shaykh.
What Can I Recite to Make Someone’s Heart Incline Towards Islam?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Repeat La ilaha ill’Allah in abundance and recite 100 times a day:
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لي صَدْرِي و يَسِّرْ لي أَمْرِي
Rabbi-shraḥ lī ṣadrī wa yassir lī amrī
“My Lord bring tranquillity to my heart and give me ease in my affair.” (20:25-26)
Perfect Patience
‘But perfect patience (is my state): Allah is the One whose support I seek to bear what you are saying’ (12:18)
When Sayyiduna Ya’qub received the news that Sayyiduna Yusuf had not returned, his response was one of perfect patience (sabr jamil).
The Prophet ﷺ described perfect patience as being a state in which a person makes no complaint to anyone other than Allah. The one who complains does not have perfect patience. Continue reading Perfect Patience
Signs of Acceptance
What are the signs that our actions in Ramadan have been accepted?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
There are three signs that you notice in your heart:
an increase in love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ
a strong attachment to good and a desire to spread it
that you have no resentment or animosity towards your fellow Muslims.
Our Transaction with Allah is About Closeness
Habib Ali al-Jifri (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) explains that the essence of our transaction with Allah is closeness (qurb). We realise this when we reflect upon what Allah says in the Qur’an.
The essence of acts of worship is closeness: “Prostrate and draw close.” (96:19) Continue reading Our Transaction with Allah is About Closeness