Salat for the Night of Badr

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) recommends this prayer in abundance on the night of Badr:

يا حَيُّ يا قَيُّومُ صَلِّ على حَبِيبِكَ سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّد، وأَغِثْنِي بِهِ، وعلى آلِهِ وصَحْبِهِ وسَلِّمْ

Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum salli `ala habibika sayyidina Muhammad wa aghithni bihi wa `ala alihi wa sahbhihi wa sallim

O Living, O Sustainer, bestow prayers and peace upon Your Beloved, our Master Muhammad and upon his Family and Companions and by him come to my aid!

 

Commemorating Badr

On the 17th of Ramadan, we commemorate the Battle of Badr, which took place on that day in the second year of the Hijrah. It is one of the most important events in the history of the Ummah, and Allah describes it as “the Day of Decision.” Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) places great emphasis on commemorating it and marks the event by completing the Qur’an in Tarawih on the eve of the 17th, after which there are big celebrations in Dar al-Mustafa attended by thousands. The rest of the night is spent in prayer, remembrance and supplication, since prayers are answered when the Qur’an is completed.

Habib Umar reflects upon some of the lessons we can learn from Badr. Extracts from a Friday khutbah, Masjid al-Rawdah, Tarim 12th Ramadan 1432 / 12th August 2011.  Continue reading Commemorating Badr

Finding Qur’an Recitation Difficult

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

I find it difficult to recite the Qur’an, so during Ramadan I read a translation of the Qur’an. Will I be rewarded for this?

You will receive the reward of seeking knowledge and the reward for this is great. You should continue this but also recite even a small portion of the Qur’an, even if it is repeating Surat al-Ikhlas, Surat al-Falaq and Surat al-Nas. You should also say ‘la ilaha ill’Allah’ in abundance and intend by doing so reciting the Qur’an.

(Note: words of remembrance such as alhamdulillah and la ilaha ill’Allah are contained in the Qur’an so when saying them one can intend reciting the Qur’an and gain extra reward)

 

Long Days and Children Fasting

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

The days are very long in some places making fasting very difficult for children close to the age of puberty. What should they do?

They should not be burdened with more than they can bear. They should be encouraged to fast half the day or most of the day. Although their fast will not be legally valid, they will become accustomed to fasting and their hearts will become attached to it so that when they are older it is easier for them.

 

How can we make our children love Ramadan?

We do this by mentioning the mercy, bounty and kindness that Allah shows in Ramadan.

 

On Serving the Ahl al-Bayt

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

How can we serve the Ahl al-Bayt in these times?

We must love them for the sake of Allah, which is something Allah has made incumbent on us in the Qur’an. We should support and honour them and those connected to them. We should follow their way and emulate them.

On Love of Allah Entering the Heart

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

I understand the meaning of the love of Allah in my mind but it has not yet entered my heart. What can I do?

You should read and reflect upon the lives of the lovers of Allah. You should spend time alone with Allah. You should spend an hour at least mentioning Allah’s name by saying “Allah” and an hour at least bestowing prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ and you should do this with yearning.

Post Tarawih Qasaid

The tradition after the Tarawih prayer in Tarim is to recite poetry in praise of the Prophet ﷺ . Through praising him and bestowing prayers upon him it is hoped that people’s worship is accepted, and he is at his most generous in Ramadan, as the hadith tells us. Other poems that welcome Ramadan, talk about its merits and bid farewell to it are also read throughout the month along with a selection of duas. Many of these can be found in Habib Muhammad al-Haddar’s book al-Nafahat al-Ramadaniyyah. Coffee is served to rejuvenate those present.

Every night, a section is read from three collections of poetry. Each section corresponds to a letter of the Arabic Alphabet and the verses from that section end in that letter. The collections can be downloaded here:

Al-Fazaziyyah

Al-Qawafi

Al-Witriyyah

Receiving Divine Mercy

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) talks about ways to  receive divine mercy.

All praise belongs to Allah Whose mercy manifests itself in this world to bring close those who were distant and to allow those who were disobedient to repent. They thus attain more gifts than they could imagine. Allah’s mercy continues to seek out those who are ready to receive it: the mercy of Allah is close to the people of excellence.[1] Continue reading Receiving Divine Mercy