Author’s Biography

What is there to introduce about a man whose biography is already known in the Heavens and upon Earth, the pride of the people of present and a replica of the pious people of the past!?

A man who is described by many as being the reviver of this century and Quṭb therein, as giving him any other title less, would not only be disrespectful but also misleading, on account of the clear signs pointing towards this reality, which are witnessed within him, by people, regardless of their Religion. However, due to “literary protocol”, allow the following introduction to be made:

His birth

Allāh ﷻ made manifest this blessed soul on the 4^th of Muḥarram 1383 AH, corresponding with 27^th of May 1963 CE, in the Valley of Ḥaḍramawt, in the illuminated city of Tarīm. He grew up in a home built upon sacred knowledge, righteousness and piety.

It was no surprise what was to become of him and what would become of those that took from him, on account of them being in his company.

His memorization of the Qurʾān

When hearing about the biographies of the people of Tarīm, it’s very common to hear a line which reads as follows:

“ولد في تريم و حفظ القرآن الكريم”

“He was born in Tarīm and he memorized the Qurʾān al-Karim…”

He was no exception to the above statement, as his beloved father, who was the previous Mufti of Tarīm and a noble martyr, Ḥabīb Muḥammad bin Sālim bin Ḥafīẓ (May Allāh have mercy on him), ensured that he facilitated for his blessed son to memorise the complete Qurʾān and gave him personal instruction about the Sacred Law.

His teachers

Behind every great man are great teachers and this statement is realized and understood when you hear who the teachers of Ḥabīb ʿUmar were and their illuminated biographies which they were upon, such as, but not limited to the likes of Ḥabīb Muḥammad bin ‘Alawi bin Shihābuddīn, Ḥabīb Aḥmad bin ʿAli bin Shaykh Abū Bakr, and Ḥabīb ʿAbdullāh bin Shaykh al-ʿAydrūs (May Allāh be pleased with them).

His travels

He travelled to Bayḍā where he spent time in the tutelage of the great Ḥabīb Muḥammad bin ʿAbdullāh al-Ḥaddār (May Allāh have mercy on him). He also undertook a journey to the two holy cities, Makkah and Madīnah, for the purpose of seeking knowledge. He continues to travel extensively around the globe with the mission of calling people to Allāh ﷻ, reviving the way and lifestyle of the Noble Messenger ﷺ, in terms of knowledge of the Sacred Law and spiritual refinement.

His ever-expanding biography

Dear reader, know with certainty, that the life of this man cannot be encompassed or captured within lines of a book, regardless of its size, since his biography is constantly expanding, even as you are reading this introduction.

By way of summary, he is a living manifestation of the words of the Ḥadīṯ Qudsī which begins with, “When Allāh loves a servant…” and ends with “…then he is granted acceptance upon earth”.

By way of a detailed description, he is Ḥabīb ʿUmar bin Muḥammad bin Sālim bin Ḥafīẓ bin Shaykh Abū Bakr bin Sālim, the son of a beloved, who is the son of a beloved and so the chain of the beloveds continues, passing through the beloved Sayyidinā Ḥussain bin ʿAli, until it reaches and ends at his great grandfather, the master of the beloveds, the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ.

His spiritual flagship is born

In 1414 AH, corresponding with 1994 CE, Ḥabīb ʿUmar founded Dār al-Muṣṭafā, for the study of Islamic Sciences – a religious institute of which he is the Dean and Principal, and an institute wherein this book before you is taught, as part of the current curriculum. This institution, although situated in a very small town within the hot and dusty Valley of Ḥaḍramawt, has become the source of spiritual refinement and spiritual reviving for many a soul across the globe.

Allāh knows best about Sayyidī Ḥabīb ʿUmar bin Ḥafīẓ