Category: The Path

Seek Forgiveness and Confound the Devil!

Habib Muhammad al-Haddar reminds us of the greatness of seeking forgiveness and how this confounds the Devil.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The one who keeps seeking forgiveness is not regarded as a persistent sinner even if he were to return to the same sin seventy times a day.”[1]

All praise belongs to Allah for the blessing of seeking forgiveness (istighfar). Even if you were to keep committing a sin seventy times but you sought forgiveness, your Lord is All-Forgiving. The main thing is you seek forgiveness with your tongue and your heart. If the Devil tries to outdo you by sending you astray, outdo him by seeking forgiveness more. Continue reading Seek Forgiveness and Confound the Devil!

On Good Signs and Indications

The Prophet ﷺ used to love optimism and positivity and dislike pessimism and negativity. He would tend to see things around him as good signs and not as bad signs. What is meant by this is that you hear or see something and interpret it to be a good sign of things that are happening or will happen in the future.

One of the practices of the pious is to open the poetry collections of the Imams of the past with the intention of seeking guidance regarding a matter facing them at that time (for example, whether to travel or not). They would use the first verse of poetry their eyes would fall upon as indication or a sign as to how to proceed.

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

What is the difference between Allah loving the believers and being with them?

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

Allah is with all of His creation in a general sense but He is with certain categories of His servants – such as the people of taqwa and sabr – in a special sense and this is manifested in Him giving them His direct aid and support. This being with Allah in a special sense is one part or one aspect of His love for His servants, which is more expansive and comprehensive than His being with them.

 

Clarifying Our Methodology

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) emphasises the necessity of adhering to the Sacred Law and clarifies elements of the methodology of the Ba Alawi path. He issues a warning to those who claim to be connected to the path but do not follow its principles. 

It has been brought to our attention that someone engaged in calling to Allah who is connected to this path has said and done certain things which go against the Sacred Law and the principles of the path generally and our path specifically. Continue reading Clarifying Our Methodology

Imam al-Haddad on Steadfastness

In this short poem, Imam al-Haddad counsels us to be people of sabr (steadfastness or patience). He extols the virtues of steadfastness, gives glad tidings to those who possess this trait and points to its connection to other lofty spiritual stations. He reminds us of the nature of tribulations and their connection to the divine decree. Finally, he calls upon us to emulate the steadfastness of the pious who have gone before and their master, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Continue reading Imam al-Haddad on Steadfastness

What Should I Do if I Have a Bad Dream?

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

As soon as you wake up, you should spit on your left side (without any spittle coming out) three times and seek refuge in Allah from any evil you have seen. You should not inform anyone about what you have seen. Then no harm will come to you.

Recite before sleeping: Ayat al-Kursi once and Surat al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and al-Nas three times each as well as some prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ. This will be a protection from bad dreams.

The Soul’s Estrangement

Habib Muhammad al-Saqqaf shares an intimate conversation at a blessed time in a blessed place with his own soul.

My Generous Lord honored me to be at the Ennobled Kaaba during the last part of the night on a Friday. Heralds of longing began to stir in my heart for the reality of what Allah has created us for. I penned some of that in the following words, which I ask Allah the Exalted to make a means to direct the reader with truth and sincerity to Him the Exalted.

I ask you, dear reader, to read it in a calm and serene place.

The Soul’s EstrangementDownload

Original Arabic text:

غربة-الروح.pdfDownload