Habib Hasan bin Ahmad al-Aydarus taught for years in Tarim’s famous Ribat. He particularly loved to teach children the basics, hoping for the reward of teaching them the acts of worship they would perform for the rest of their lives. Continue reading Habib Hasan bin Ahmad al-Aydarus
Bad Decisions and the Lower Self
“Kill Yusuf or banish him to another land, and your father’s attention will be free to turn to you. After that you can be righteous” (12:8).
This was Yusuf’s brothers’ plan but what did they gain? The years passed and they didn’t achieve their goal. Their father was not happy with them. He remained in a state of sadness and their life remained difficult. In fact, they only got what they wanted when they recognised Yusuf’s status and submitted to him decades later. Continue reading Bad Decisions and the Lower Self
No Ordinary Love
“Although we are many, Yusuf and his brother are dearer to our father than we are – our father is clearly in the wrong” (12:8)
We find that the Prophets may love certain individuals more than others. That individual may be a wife or a child or a companion. This is because their love is for Allah’s sake. The more the individual possesses attributes beloved to Allah, the more that prophet will love them. No one would deny that the Prophet ﷺ loved Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali more than other Companions. Continue reading No Ordinary Love
The Good of this World and the Good of the Hereafter
We are all familiar with the well-known Quranic supplication: “Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the good of the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire” (2:201). But what is meant by the good of this world and the next? Imam al-Haddad (may Allah benefit us by him) gives three meanings for each.
The good of this world has three meanings: Continue reading The Good of this World and the Good of the Hereafter
Jealousy: the Devil’s Scorpion
‘My dear son, tell your brothers nothing of this dream, or they may plot to harm you – the Devil is man’s sworn enemy.’ (12:5)
When Yusuf told his father Yaqub (peace be upon them both) of his dream, his father feared that envy would cause Yusuf’s brothers to harm him. Continue reading Jealousy: the Devil’s Scorpion
On Permission to Recite Prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Do we need to request permission before reciting various prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ, such as those contained in the book Dala’il al-Khayrat?
You have general permission to read any prayer upon the Prophet, ﷺ so there is no need to request permission. The main thing is that you recite it with love, longing and veneration witnessing that the Prophet ﷺ is the means for all the good that Allah gives His servants.
Insights into Purification: Purity of the Heart
Just as no one is permitted to enter the prayer until they have removed all physical impurities, no one is admitted into the divine presence until they have removed all spiritual impurities.
Every child is born with a pure heart but as time goes by the heart becomes polluted by what it is exposed to. Continue reading Insights into Purification: Purity of the Heart
Do I Have to Disclose all my Financial Affairs to my Spouse?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him).
Neither spouse is obliged to disclose every detail to the other. What is required is for each party to take care of the needs and welfare of the other. There should be goodwill between them, good dealings and a willingness to spend freely on the other.
Habib Muhammad Abd al-Rahman al-Saqqaf
Habib Muhammad Abd al-Rahman al-Saqqaf was born in Seiyun, the principal city of Hadramawt in 1972 (1392). He is a direct descendant of many imams of the Prophetic house, including Imam Taha bin Umar al-Safi (died 1007), the first of the Alawi Sayyids to settle in Seiyun, and Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Saqqaf (died 819). The al-Saqqaf tribe is known in Seiyun for having produced great scholars and men of God in every generation, the most recent being Habib Abd al-Qadir al-Saqqaf.
Hadramawt was in the grip of an oppressive socialist government so his parents moved to Jeddah when he was three years old. His father Sayyid Abd al-Rahman was a doctor who would frequent the circles of knowledge in the Hijaz. As a result, Habib Muhammad grew up with a love for scholars. Continue reading Habib Muhammad Abd al-Rahman al-Saqqaf
Which Ratib Should I Recite?
Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Should I recite the Ratib of Imam al-Haddad or the Ratib of Imam al-Attas?
If you cannot recite both, there is no problem to alternate between the two Ratibs – one takes the place of the other.