Category: Praiseworthy Attributes

Understanding Commands and Prohibitions

Habib Ali al-Habashi (may Allah have mercy upon him and benefit us by him) discusses the meanings and implications of commands and prohibitions.

The commands which are found in the Qur’an and the Sunnah can be divided into that which is obligatory (wajib) and that which is recommended (mustahabb). That which is obligatory must be performed. Not performing it entails a punishment, while performing it entails a great reward and leads to the pleasure of our Lord. Performing acts which are recommended is a path which leads to the pleasure of our Lord and entering into the sphere of those who have drawn close to Allah, act with complete sincerity and love Him. Continue reading Understanding Commands and Prohibitions

A Metaphor for Guidance

Habib Abdullah bin Husayn bin Tahir (may Allah have mercy upon him and benefit us by him) gives a metaphor for guidance.

“Felicity, guidance and all good attributes are like seeds planted in the heart of the believer. Those that call people to Allah and remind them of Allah and their reminders are like rain. People’s hearts are like the soil. Reminders are directed to the hearts like rain falls upon the soil. If Allah has decreed that it is time for someone to return to Him, the heart will react and submit and follow guidance, just like when rain falls upon fertile soil in which seeds have been planted it yields a good harvest.

Conversely, if the call is directed to hearts which possess no good qualities, it will be like rain falling upon rocky ground. If the call is directed to hearts filled with blameworthy qualities which are destined for wretchedness, they will respond by stubbornly rejecting the call and mocking the callers. This is like rain falling on earth filled with thorn trees. The more the rain falls, the more these trees grow and the more harmful they are. The only way to deal with them is to uproot them and burn them.”

Struggling With Wrongdoing

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

Many young people complain that it is difficult for them to leave certain acts of disobedience. When they do manage to repent, they often fall into the same sin again. How are they able to repent sincerely?

Do not deem yourself incapable of repenting even if you keep committing the sin a hundred times a day. Do not forget that you have a Lord Who is completely aware of you. As long as you repent to Him sincerely He will see this, even if you keep repeating the same sin. He will rid you of this disobedience in due course, according to your sincerity. Continue reading Struggling With Wrongdoing

Can I ask to be the Renewer (Mujaddid) of this Time?

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

Can I ask Allah to make me the renewer (mujaddid) of this time?

Allah has guaranteed that He will continue to renew the religion in people’s hearts and He uses various means to realise this. There will generally be one principle figure who is like the head. He is supported by others who make up the rest of the body. We should ask Allah to be among those who are involved in this renewal.

Returning to Allah in Rajab

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) describes the state the believer should be in as the blessed month of Rajab enters. 

O believer, be conscious of how you end the month of Jumada al-Akhirah, and look to see how you receive the month of Rajab, the month which stands alone among the sacred months. This month was venerated even in the times of Jahiliyyah, and Islam came to reinforce this veneration. Continue reading Returning to Allah in Rajab

Signs of Allah’s Contentment

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

What are the signs that Allah is content with me?

There are two signs of this:

  1. That you are content with Allah’s commands and do your best to obey them
  2. That you are content with whatever Allah decrees and surrender to that

 

Striving to Attain True Slave-Hood

Advice from Habib Ali al-Habashi (may Allah have mercy upon him and benefit us by him)

I counsel you by Allah to do your utmost to consistently perform extra acts of worship, especially the sunnah prayers before and after the compulsory prayers. Beware of leaving them. Give life to your night by rising to pray in it and give life to your day by fasting during it. Perform extra acts of worship in abundance for it is the means of attaining Allah’s love: “My slave continues to draw close to Me with extra acts of worship until I love him.” Continue reading Striving to Attain True Slave-Hood