Journey of a Seeker

As-Salamu `Alaykum wa Rahmatullah…

This page will be used to post translations of Sayyidina al-Habib `Umar Bin Hafiz’s (May Allah preserve him) work “Is`af  Talibi Ridha al-Khallaq, Bi Bayan Makarim al-Akhlaq” or “The Aid of the Seekers of the Pleasure of the Creator, by the Exposition of Noble Character”. We pray that this endeavour is beneficial and sincere just as the original was, May Allah spreas its benefit.

A Paraphrased Translation of the Introduction of Shaykh as-Sayyid al-Habib `Umar

Praise be to Allah who places within souls the desire to take the path of its purification. Who through the light of (or the sheen/gleam – even glimpse of) bounty from His providence enables it to correct and put right its attributes. And so He has arranged success and victory upon that, as he said, glorious is he:

وَقَدۡ خَابَ مَن دَسَّٮٰهَا (9) قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ مَن زَكَّٮٰهَا

Truly he succeeds that purifies it, (9) And he fails that corrupts it! (10) – Surah ash-Shams

And Allah said, blessed and exalted is he:

وَذَكَرَ ٱسۡمَ رَبِّهِۦ فَصَلَّىٰ – 15  . قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ – 14

But he will prosper who purifies himself. (14) And remembers the name of his Lord, so prays. (15) – Surah al-A`la

And I bear witness that there is no divinity worthy of worship besides Allah, alone, without partner, and I bear witness that our master Muhammad is his servant and messenger; he was sent to perfect noble character and as a caller to the divine creator (Allah); it was revealed to him in Allah’s clear and manifest book:

فَبِمَا رَحۡمَةٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَوۡ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلۡقَلۡبِ لَٱنفَضُّواْ مِنۡ حَوۡلِكَ‌ۖ فَٱعۡفُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ وَشَاوِرۡهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَمۡرِ‌ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمۡتَ فَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him). (159) – Surah Aal-`Imran

Oh Allah, send blessings and salutations upon your servant Muhammad, the chosen one, our master, and upon his family and companions; as well as those who travel upon his path and are guided by his guidance till the day of judgement, and upon us with them and from them, by your mercy, oh most merciful of those who show mercy. As for what follows:

These are lessons, recorded as sessions from “Yemen TV” which dealt with the topic of “Character”. They were transferred into book format by some of our brothers from amongst those who are inspired and sincere in wishing for taking and receiving benefit. Here are the [fruits of their work], presenting a reminder, an insight and a means to acquire a great goodness and major bounty, by the arousing of the desires in adopting the true approach and the straight path.

And how often are books, circulated amongst the Muslims, filled with that which does not benefit, including that which is of lesser import and consequence when compared with this elevated and superior subject. Hence, it befits the Muslim that he heeds these notions which invite him to greatness, and these initiatives which inspire him to excellently seeking majesty and grandeur, and with Allah is enabling grace. We ask al-Haqq (Allah, the Real) Blessed and Exalted is He, to benefit, by it, the speaker and listener, the writer and the lettered reader, and that he makes it, amongst the people of this nation (Ummah), vastly beneficial, and makes it a means to revive noble character and the upright path. It is on him that we rely and from him do we seek help, and there is no power or might besides with Allah, the high and mighty. Oh Allah, guide us to the most excellent of character and actions, for none can guide to the most excellent of it besides you, and remove from us the worst of it, for there is none that can remove the worst of it besides you, by your mercy, Oh most merciful of those who show mercy.

Sayyiduna al-Habib `Umar b. Muhammad b. Salim b. Hafiz b. al-Shaykh Abu Bakr b. Salim al-`Alawi al-Husayni al-Hadrami at-Tarimi, Hafizahullah wa Nafa` Allah Bi `Ulumihi Fid-Darayn, Amin.