Category: The Path

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

Can you recommend books containing the biographies of the masters of the Ba Alawi?

You can read al-Mashra` al-Rawī, Ghurar al-Bahā’ al-Ḍawī and Sharḥ al-`Ayniyyah. These are some of the books that contain biographies of many of the Imams of the Ba Alawi path that have been published. These books and similar books (some of which have not yet been published) may be read. Continue reading Suggested Readings on the Imams of the Ba Alawi Path

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

What is meant by the statement that the Ba Alawi path is inwardly Shadhili and outwardly Ghazalian?

Most spiritual paths have a foundation that is either Shadhili or Ghazalian. Both the Ghazali and Shadhili paths are founded upon spiritual striving (mujahadah) but the Ghazalian method begins by focusing on the external aspect and then works towards the internal whereas the Shadhili method begins internally. Both methods agree that obligatory actions must be performed, prohibited actions must be avoided and supererogatory actions should be performed in abundance, but the Shadhili method places less emphasis on outward actions. Mujahadah according to the Shadhili method focuses on attaining constant presence of heart with Allah, awareness of His bounty and showing gratitude to Him. The Ghazalian method emphasises seeking knowledge and acting upon it thereby attaining constant presence and the station of gratitude. Continue reading How is the Ba `Alawi Path inwardly Shadhili and outwardly Ghazalian?

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

How can we strengthen the ties of brotherhood between those who have taken this spiritual path?

We can do this by reminding those who have taken this spiritual path that they are travelling companions, and that those travelling together on the same path must be united. They are all the children of the same chain of connection and this dictates that they be brothers and sisters to each other. We also need to remind them that the tariqah is founded upon spreading harmony and brotherhood throughout the whole Ummah so this brotherhood should be even stronger between those affiliated to the tariqah. So let us apply these things and then spread them.

I wish to take this path. What are the first steps I should take?

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

Take the following steps:

Try to pay the five prayers in congregation Continue reading On the First Steps in Taking the Path