‘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
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.
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
If you sincerely wish to be in a blessed place during Ramadan (or at any other time) like Tarim, Mecca, Madinah, Jerusalem or anywhere else, then your intention will be recorded and you will receive divine gifts according to your intention. Thereafter Allah may facilitate for you to come to that place and perhaps also your children at a later date. Good intentions are a valuable currency which we use in our trade with Allah. The effects of these intentions are amazing. A good intention is the key to every lock.
Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
“Kill Yusuf or banish him to another land, and your father’s attention will be free to turn to you. After that you can be righteous” (12:8).
This was Yusuf’s brothers’ plan but what did they gain? The years passed and they didn’t achieve their goal. Their father was not happy with them. He remained in a state of sadness and their life remained difficult. In fact, they only got what they wanted when they recognised Yusuf’s status and submitted to him decades later. Continue reading Bad Decisions and the Lower Self
“Although we are many, Yusuf and his brother are dearer to our father than we are – our father is clearly in the wrong” (12:8)
We find that the Prophets may love certain individuals more than others. That individual may be a wife or a child or a companion. This is because their love is for Allah’s sake. The more the individual possesses attributes beloved to Allah, the more that prophet will love them. No one would deny that the Prophet ﷺ loved Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali more than other Companions. Continue reading No Ordinary Love
‘My dear son, tell your brothers nothing of this dream, or they may plot to harm you – the Devil is man’s sworn enemy.’ (12:5)
When Yusuf told his father Yaqub (peace be upon them both) of his dream, his father feared that envy would cause Yusuf’s brothers to harm him. Continue reading Jealousy: the Devil’s Scorpion
Is there a difference between making tawbah from major sins and minor sins?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Tawbah is obligatory from all sins, both the minor and major, but especially the major because the end result is worse. Continue reading Tawbah from Minor and Major Sins
How does someone attain direct knowledge of Allah (ma‘rifah khassah)?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
This is attained by purifying your heart, being in a constant state of presence with Allah and by deep reflection on the following things: Continue reading On Attaining Direct Knowledge of Allah
In these supplications, Habib Ali al-Habashi (may Allah have mercy upon him and benefit us by him) teaches us to seek high degrees of love and closeness to Allah and His Beloved ﷺ :
Continue reading Roll up the distance between me and Your Beloved!
