Remaining Connected

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) talks about the importance of remaining connected. Extracts from a talk delivered in Masjid Ba `Abbad, on the visit to the Prophet Hud (peace be upon him), 7th Sha`ban 1434 /16th June 2013.

We find that at times people are given openings and unveilings as a result of their acts of worship or they are given success in calling people to Allah. They then, however, become disconnected from their chain of connection to the great shaykhs and to the Beloved ﷺ. They may think they are gaining something when in fact they are losing. Allah did not allow anyone to see themselves as being independent of their chain of connection. Continue reading Remaining Connected

On Difficulties in Working With People Attached to other Shuyukh

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

We sometimes find difficulty in working with people attached to other shuyukh. What should we do?

You should do what you can to overcome your differences with them through your perception, intention and feelings for them. Your differences should not cause you to distance yourself from each other and they should not destroy the spirit of co-operation. They may not agree with something you are doing, so do not force them to take part in it. If it is something important that cannot be left, do it in a way that does not cause friction. If it is something that can be left, then do something else which does not cause any friction. We should help and co-operate if they are doing something which does not conflict with our principles. If what they are doing will cause conflict or harm to the dawah we very gently decline to get involved.

On Consulting More Than One Shaykh

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

Is it considered bad etiquette to consult more than one shaykh on the same matter and then to follow that which one feels most comfortable with?

Firstly, if it is an issue of suluk (spiritual wayfaring) you must only consult one shaykh. You may not consult another shaykh on the issue and you certainly may not make your own judgement.

Continue reading On Consulting More Than One Shaykh

On the Methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah

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

Are the Salafis considered to be from the Ahl al-Sunnah w’al-Jama’ah?

We have to look at people’s true state, and not at names or titles. Whoever follows the principles of the Ash’aris and Maturidis in tenets of faith and the principles of the four schools of Sunni Law is considered to be from Ahl al-Sunnah w’al-Jama’ah. These schools are the closest in their emulation of the pious predecessors (salaf). Those who follow these principles are considered to be from the Ahl al-Sunnah w’al-Jama’ah whatever name they are given. Those who do not follow these principles are not considered to be from the Ahl al-Sunnah w’al-Jama`ah, whatever name they are given.