Category: Worship

Fasting on 27th Rajab

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

Is it recommended to fast on the day after the night of the Isra and Mi’raj (27th Rajab)?

Generally speaking fasting in the sacred months is better than fasting in the other months. There is a sound hadith in which Ibn Umar was asked whether the Prophet ﷺ used to fast in Rajab. He said: “Yes, and he would ennoble it (meaning the month of Rajab).” Some of the pious recommend fasting on the day of the Isra and Mi’raj but it is not something that has been directly narrated on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ . Above all, we should seek a true connection with the Prophet, the one who was taken on the Isra and Mi`raj.

Finding Strength in our Weakness

Advice from Habib Kazim al-Saqqaf (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

To be raised by Allah, one needs to lower oneself and realise one’s weakness and one’s slavehood to Allah.

We should repeat this prayer which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught the Companion, Buraydah. He said to him: “Shall I not teach you words that Allah teaches to the one for whom He wants good, and then never allows him to forget them? Continue reading Finding Strength in our Weakness

Habib ‘Abdullah bin Husayn’s Prayer for the Removal of Hardships

This is Habib ‘Abdullah bin Husayn bin Tahir’s prayer which has been tried and tested for the removal of hardships:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ و عَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ صَلاةَ عَبْدٍ قَلَّتْ حِيلَتُهُ و رَسُولُ اللهِ وَسِيلتُهُ  وأَنْتَ لها يا إِلهي و لِكُلِّ كَرْبٍ عَظِيمٍ فَفَرِّجْ ما أَنا فيِهِ بِسِرِّ :بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم

O Allah, bestow prayers upon our Master Muhammad and upon the Family of our Master Muhammad, the prayers of a slave who has no way out and the Messenger of Allah is his only intermediary. My Lord, You are here for this and for every great calamity, so remove the hardship that I am in through the secret of: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.’

On Staying Awake After Fajr

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

How can I stay awake after fajr until sunrise?

You can do this by reflecting upon the reward and benefits of doing so and by keeping this time alive with Allah’s remembrance with a group of people. If this is not possible you can drive sleep away by walking around in the place where you prayed. If you pray fajr with a small group of people you can delay the prayer so that there is not too long to wait until sunrise.

On Remaining Firm in Worship

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

How do I remain firm in performing acts of worship?

You need to realise the greatness of the One you are worshipping and that He is worthy of being worshipped and that worship is the greatest honour that Allah bestows upon a person and through it, he is raised.

Adhkar and Advice for a New Mosque

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

A mosque has just been established. What adhkar should be recited in it and what other advice do you have for us?

The Qur’an should be recited in abundance, especially Surat al-Fath, and also al-baqiyat al-salihat (subhanallah wa’l-hamdulillah wa la ilaha ill’Allah w’allahu akbar). You should bestow abundant prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ. Continue reading Adhkar and Advice for a New Mosque

On Using Interest Payments

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

What should I do with interest payments that have accumulated in my bank account?

You should give the money to the poor and needy or some public project such as repairing roads, providing medication for the sick or feeding the poor. You cannot use it yourself or consider it your property. When you give it, it cannot be considered charity but you will have the reward of preserving it and using it in a way that pleases Allah.