On April 4, 2010, this world lost a spiritual leader, Habib Abdul Qadir Al-Saggaf. We cannot express our loss and sorrow. Instead, here is a biography of the Habib. Below, you will find a eulogy from Sidi Yahya Rhodus, courtesy of Seekers Guidance.

al-Qutb al-Habib Abdul Qadir Ibn Ahmad al-Saggaf

The spiritual Emperor of the People of the House and progeny of Alawi (may peace be upon Him) Abdul Qadir al-Saggaf, the son of Ahmad al-Saggaf (may Allah exalt His family), the living Pole of the AhlulBayt is the unsung Shaykh of al-Habib Umar bin Hafidh. He presently resides in Jeddah, where he has lived for many years.

Unlike his contemporaries, such as al-Habib Mashhur al-Haddad (may Allah show him mercy), Abdul Qadir al-Saggaf was less transient and thus received Shuyukh from all over the world; the Masters and Honourables of the family of Hashim in order they may acquire just a fragment of his light and wisdom. He is known not for innovations or controversies, but strictly for his unrivalled station amongst the People of the House and Trustees of Allah. It would be very unfortunate for a scholar to be unaware of Abdul Qadir al-Saggaf, which is not disobedience, but purely a lack of connection with such a profound human being.

There is not much to mention concerning this individual if we were to speak in earthly terms which does not seperate him from any other of the highest and most elite Islamic scholars; and in adherence to the example of the Messenger of Allah (May infinite blessings be sent to him and his family), the divulgences of the higher realm must be treated with care and prudence. Although it is very difficult to remain within those boundaries as the legends that navigate around the name of Abdul Qadir al-Saggaf involve the tendency to break the limits of reason. It would be wise instead to quote al-Habib Umar bin Hafidh, who epitomised his Guide’s rank, when famously in a gathering, he stood and pointed at the noble descendent and firmly declared “By Allah! There is no man in the universe like him! By Allah! There is no man in the universe like him!”

It is no secret that the station of Abdul Qadir al-Saggaf comes through his nearness to the Prophet Muhammad (May Allah bring us nearness to the final messenger in order we may honour him), dedicating his life to the example of the Messenger (Peace and infinite blessings be upon him) and gaining connection with his ancestor, the Emissary of God. However, carrying the preserved and unhampered lineage of al-Sayyid Abdur Rahman al-Saggaf (May Allah extol him) and al-Faqih al-Muqaddam (Peace be upon Him), it is obvious that his birth right was complemented with incomparable honour, that we are not worthy to question.

A pillar which signifies ones nearness to Allah is humility, and Abdul Qadir al-Saggaf never fell short of this quality. He is renowned for his efforts to make people feel at ease, never feeling comfortable if the people around him were uncomfortable. He respected people, and thus he was respected, he asked for prayer and made sure his guests felt welcome – even his students. A major element of his honour is derived from his subservient nature and immense shame before Allah. May Allah exalt the people of humility.

In the mid 90′s, al-Qutb Abdul Qadir al-Saggaf was known to be very frail, with nearly half his body on the verge of paralysis. His current state is described only as…annihilated. His next of kin describe him as “gone…”, he does not speak anymore, and spent the latter part of the 90′s in a state of weeping and sleepless nights. There is no vocal transmissions from the Sheikh anymore, only his unworldly presence. al-Qutb al-Habib Abdul Qadir is undoubtedly, a charismatic authority in every shape and form, in every realm, in every dimension. May Allah give us the strength to convey his honour well in’sha’Allah.

Source:

http://users1.nofeehost.com/saqqaf/ Thanks to Kidragon

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus expresses his condolences on the death of the spiritual luminary and renown scholar, Habib Abd al-Qadir bin Ahmad al-Saqqaf who passed away earlier this week. He shares a brief biography of Habib Abd al-Qadir and gives key insights from his life.

On the Passing of Habib Abd al-Qadir bin Ahmad al-Saqqaf – Shaykh Yahya Rhodus from SeekersGuidance on Vimeo.

Source:

On the Passing of Habib Abd al-Qadir bin Ahmad al-Saqqaf – Shaykh Yahya Rhodus

Facebook links:

• Habib Abdul Qadir Al-Saqqaf Facebook Page
• Habib Abdul Qadir Al-saggaf Group
• Tariqah ‘Alawiyyah
• The Habaib / Ba Alawi Tariqa

Today commemorates a universal day of mourning by Muslims, social activists and lovers of peace. On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated in New York. His death was a tremendous loss for many communities.

Here are some ideas on how you can honor Malcolm X on his death anniversary, during Black History Month and throughout the year.

On Twitter: make #MalcolmX as the trending topic. Encourage all your followers to share a quote of Malcolm or link to some of his resources and include the hashtag #MalcolmX. Here’s an example – http://twitter.com/sueetness/status/9420396588

With the written word: start a study circle and read the autobiography of Malcolm X.

On screen: organize a group viewing of various speeches of Malcolm X. Include a discussion session.

Share with us on how you plan to honor Malcolm in your community.

Source: Remembering Malcolm X

By: Preacher Moss a.k.a “Undercover Muslim”

A while ago, a good friend, and fellow thinker, Sakiya Sandifer, asked me to compose and article on the recent and tragic shootings at Fort Hood military base. As I watched the news, the words “killer,” “Muslim,” “terrorist,” and “Islamic” seemed to roll across the screen as it made its way in the context of conversation being offered by the journalist. It appeared, in a continuing trend, that the media was looking to take the actions of alleged “Muslim” gunman’s act of terror, and immediately try to connect his actions to a fundamentalist, violent, radical, but extremely profitable and marketable form of Islam. I affectionately call this making doe on the “Muslim Problem.” For those who are new to this…

Welcome to the world of the Anti-Muslim Industrial Complex (AMI Complex) my friends…or maybe not.

If you want to know what the “Muslim Problem” is I would submit to you as Example A, an interview conducted by CNN morning host, John Roberts in the time following the shooting. Roberts interviewed someone who worked with alleged shooter, Nidal Hassan. What was puzzling about the interview was the interviewee, hadn’t seen, nor spoken to Hassan in nearly five years. Roberts, oblivious to the fact the interviewee really had not contact matter, made the situation worse by asking the interviewer if he had noticed the shooter exhibiting radical Islamic characteristics or behavior. The invited guest simply answered the question by informing Roberts that he had no contact with Hassan in five years, and wouldn’t know what he was up to. I’m glad this guy got it because Roberts was caught up in the AMI Complex. The problem here extends well beyond the Roberts’ desperation to make this a terror plot of radical Islamists, and attaching Islam as the culprit in this situation. It’s more important than that. This attitude illuminates the present strategy in place that makes it not only acceptable to do this, but sadly mainstream in its nature. It is indicative of the Anti-Muslim Industrial Complex, AMI Complex for short.

Read the rest of this entry »

Imam Benjamin Perez is one of the great treasures of the American Muslim community.  He became Muslim in Oakland over 50 years ago.  Some say he was the first Hispanic convert in the San Francisco Bay Area.  He has dedicated much of his life to dawah and connecting Islam with Hispanic and Native American peoples.

He has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer in the brain and stomach and has been told he has only a few weeks left before he returns to his Creator.  Please make du’a for him and his family, and make a contribution to help his family cover their expenses in this difficult time.

He is very, very deserving of our support. A webpage has been set up to provide more info and help raise funds for Imam Benjamin and his family.
http://imambenjamin.blogspot.com/

Please take a moment to make a donation, and circulate this to others as well.

Thanks to Zachary Twist for sharing the above information.

UPDATE:

(Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un)
Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return…

Imam Benjamin Perez returned to his Creator this evening, December 8, 2009 at 8:22 PM. He was at home, surrounded with family and a brother in faith. He passed peacefully in his sleep.

May Allah bless him, reward him immensely for all his good, forgive him his mistakes, make his return easy for him, and place him in the highest abode in the afterlife.

Please pray for his family, make sincere du’a for him, recite Qur’an for him, and commit righteous acts and charity on his behalf. (It is related that the gifts of alms, prayers, and Qur’anic recitation sent by the living to the dead reach them carried by the angels on plates of light, and adorned with silk handkerchiefs, and they say to them: ‘This is a gift from so-and-so’, and in this way they find joy and delight. Source: Lives of Man.)

Imam Benjamin led a vibrant and beautiful life and touched many people along the way.  He will be very deeply missed.

The janazah (funeral services) are being organized within the next couple days.  Check the website, http://imambenjamin.blogspot.com, for details and updates.

On the last Monday in Rabi Al-Awwal, a special mawlid was held in Dar Al-Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen. We were blessed to have Sidi Amjad Tarsin share with us the link to the live broadcast as well as his live translation of Habib Umar’s speech. All praises to Allah for allowing us to gather the pearls of wisdom, advice and knowledge from Habib Umar. We would like to share with you the notes we took. All mistakes are entirely from us, we are incapable of fully translating the tremendous wisdom of Habib Umar. Please be aware that these notes are for reference only. If you are plan on posting this elsewhere, kindly include the link to this post.

The first noble scholar to speak was Habib Mashhur, Habib Umar bin Hafidh’s oldest brother. Habib Mashhur is also the mufti of Tarim. The next to speak was Habib Abdullah bin Shihab. Soon after, Habib Salim Al-Shatiry, the Sultan of Scholars, began his speech. Habib Salim said that all these majalis (gatherings) were from the barakah of the martyrdom of Habib Umar’s beloved father.

After this, Habib Umar began by speaking about the blessings of these gatherings.

Praise is due to Allah with thanks, for the blessings that come down in succession. We praise Him in secret and openly, and in the mornings and evenings (part of an Imam Al-Haddad poem).

He sent upon the clouds of His mercy and made us of the Community of the best of His creation. And He allowed us to enjoy life – those who remember, remember and they turn to the Most Merciful, Mighty and Majestic is He. And He prepared for us those who remind us, and those who make us pay attention, and those who warns us, and those who guide us.

Habib Jafar bin Muhammad Al-Aydarus wrote: “My young heart has become torn asunder out of love for the best of creation.”