Category: The Path

On Touching Graves

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

Is touching graves a blameworthy innovation, as Imam al-Nawawi mentions?

Doing so may be considered a blameworthy innovation if the person doing so is motivated by an incorrect belief or if it is done in a way that resembles the polytheists. It may also be considered a blameworthy innovation if doing so leads ordinary people who lack knowledge to fall into doing something impermissible. The general principle is that it is disliked unless it is done out of love and longing for the person whose grave it is.

There are several examples of the Companions touching the Prophet’s grave. Sayyiduna Bilal bin Harith al-Muzani pressed himself to the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and kissed it, hoping that the Prophet would intercede and that they would be given rain. He then saw the Prophet in a dream who instructed him to go to Sayyiduna `Umar and to tell him to perform the rain prayer and they will then be given rain and this happened. His actions were witnessed by a number of the Companions and no-one condemned him for doing what he did.

Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub al-Ansari once pressed his face to the grave of the Prophet ﷺ. When he was he was criticised for what he was doing, he said: “I did not come to a stone but rather I came to the Messenger of Allah.”

On Focusing on the Next Life

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

We are taught to turn away from this life and focus on the next life. However our worries and responsibilities preoccupy us. How do we clear our minds and focus on the next life?

Our worries should remind us of the worthlessness of this life and cause us to turn away from it. We should flee to Allah and seek that He removes our worries. At the same time, by fulfilling our responsibilities we take provision for the next life.

 

On Truthfulness

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) expounds on some of the meanings of truthfulness.

Truthfulness (sidq) is a station beyond sincerity (ikhlas). Sincerity relates to your intention and your purpose. Truthfulness is comprehensive and incorporates every expression of your approach to Allah, your aims and your mastering and perfecting your actions. One way of differentiating between the two is that the truthful person has no pride in his actions (‘ujb), whereas the sincere person shows no ostentation (riya’). Continue reading On Truthfulness

On Serving Others While Studying

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

How can a student of knowledge be involved in serving others while not being distracted from his studies?

You can give sincere advice (nasihah) and encouragement to your fellow students and you can serve them in things which do not take a lot of time and effort. You can use your knowledge to write articles on beneficial topics.

True Intellect

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) reflects upon the true meaning of intellect.

To truly possess intellect means to understand the truth that Allah revealed to the Messenger of Truth ﷺ. Whoever does not understand this cannot be described as possessing intellect. Such a person may know how to eat and drink, trade, give and take in this worldly life, but Allah guides even animals to some of these things. He is the One who apportions and guides. He guides animals to fulfil their worldly needs:

Continue reading True Intellect

On Dealing With Those Who Backbite Us

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

How do we deal with those who backbite us, particularly if it has negative consequences on our dawah efforts?

You should ask Allah that He allows such people to repent. You should rely upon Allah’s bounty and generosity in attaining success in dawah and do not be concerned by these perceived negative consequences. All the Prophets and Messengers suffered backbiting and mockery but this did not prevent them from being successful in their dawah. The Devil often deceives people into making perceived negative consequences an excuse not to pardon and forgive the person who has wronged them. Rather you should follow the Prophet ﷺ and the pious in swiftly forgiving such people. If you are truthful in this, Allah will aid your dawah efforts.

On the Intention for Reciting Surat al-Waq’iah

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

With what intention should we recite Surat al-Waq’iah?

We should recite Surat al-Waq’iah with the intention of increasing in certainty and increasing in inward and outward provision. The Surah mentions the states of the hereafter, reflecting upon which is one of the foundations in strengthening one’s certainty. Allah also calls us to strengthen our certainty by looking at the created things around us: Do you see the seed that you sow in the ground? Is it you that cause it to grow or are We the cause? Do you see the water which you drink? Do you bring it down from the clouds or do We?

On the Method of Seclusion (Khalwah)

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

How do I go about secluding myself for the purpose of worship (making khalwah)?

Any time in which you are alone focusing on Allah is a type of khalwah. At that time you should recite the Qur’an or adhkar which have been transmitted. The purpose of khalwah is focusing oneself on Allah, being present with Him and purifying your heart. The most beneficial dhikr for the majority of Muslims and those at the beginning of the path is la ilaha ill’Allah. The utmost benefit in times of seclusion is obtained through the permission and observation of your shaykh and through his giving you adhkar which are appropriate to you.

Differentiating Between Being Proud of One’s Religion and Between Being Arrogant

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

How do we differentiate between being proud of one’s religion and being arrogant?

Being proud of one’s religion is coupled with humility, fear of the return to Him and good action according to the Sacred Law and in veneration of it. At the core of our religion is humility, fear of Allah, being good to people and wisdom. The two greatest signs that point to someone being arrogant are that they look down upon others and do not accept the truth when confronted by it. Arrogant people are certain that they are better than others and do not live in fear of a bad ending.

On General Dhikr

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

What type of dhikr can someone make if they are not affiliated to any tariqah?

The dhikr of Allah is beneficial in whatever form is it made. If it is taken from someone with a sanad (unbroken chain of connection) to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ it has more effect and is more likely to be accepted and this is essentially the meaning of tariqah. Furthermore, if it is taken from someone with a sanad in travelling the spiritual path then it will have a more illuminating effect and be more effective.