Category: Travelling the Path

On Going into Business and Relying Upon Allah

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

If someone is able to start a business should they do so? Is there a contradiction between going into business and relying upon Allah (tawakkul)?

The one who is able to do business and has lawful means should do so with a good intention but this should not distract him from doing something which is more important. In his business, he should intend to benefit others. A believer must rely upon Allah whether he is in business or not. This entails that he repels any fear of poverty or concern about his provision. Most people take the means to earn their provision whereas others do not. Regardless of the state that has been facilitated for them they should rely upon Allah and proceed with a tranquil heart.

On Becoming One of Those Who are Drawn Near

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

How can we become among those who are drawn near?

Allah says in the hadith qudsi: “My slave draws near to Me with nothing more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him, and then he continues to draw nearer to Me with supererogatory devotions until I love him.” Continue reading On Becoming One of Those Who are Drawn Near

Attaining Allah’s Love

Habib Ahmad bin Abu Bakr bin Sumayt, the father of Habib Umar bin Sumayt (may Allah have mercy on them and sanctify their secret) discusses the means of attaining Allah’s love. 

It is inconceivable that Allah’s love be in any way similar to human love, which may be defined as tenderness in the heart. Some scholars say Allah’s love is expressed in His actions such as showing His favour and bounty to His slave, or showing His slave special care by protecting him and drawing him close. Continue reading Attaining Allah’s Love

Preparing to Meet Allah by Guarding our Sight, Hearing and Speech

Advice from Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him): We must guard our sight, our hearing and our speech. If we do so our hearts will be protected and we will attain uprightness. When we look at, listen to or talk about that which does not concern us we are at odds with our fitrah, the state in which Allah created us. Continue reading Preparing to Meet Allah by Guarding our Sight, Hearing and Speech

Holding Fast to the Rope of Allah

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz encourages us to hold fast to the Rope of Allah.

Many people in this day and age, believers and disbelievers alike fear death, illness, trials, imprisonment due to breaking the law, poverty, and so forth. Yet, when we reflect carefully upon all these fears, we would realize that each one of these fears is in the domain of Allah. No single human being dies except that his or her death has been ordained by Allah. No morsel of food and no sip of water enter anyone’s mouth except that it is by Allah’s will. Continue reading Holding Fast to the Rope of Allah

On Differentiating Between Wisdom and Caprice

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

How can I differentiate between when I act out of wisdom and when I act following the caprice (hawa) of the lower self?

Caprice and wisdom are in opposition to each other. Someone driven by his caprice rushes to gratify the desires of his lower self in a state of heedlessness of Allah. Someone who acts out of wisdom, on the other hand, rushes to seek that which pleases Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, and this is hard for his lower self. He experiences tranquillity, especially when he remembers Allah, and increases in humility and abasement in front of Allah.

On the Role of the Shaykh in Purification of the Heart

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

What is the role of the Shaykh in purification of the heart?

The Shaykh is the most important means of removing the seeker’s blameworthy traits. The Shaykh is not someone who makes false claims or performs miracles but rather someone who is upright in his religion and has a sanad (chain of connection) in purification of the heart. If the seeker is truthful, Allah will cause him to meet a shaykh who will purify him.