Towards a True Spiritual Connection: Wisdom from the Teachings of Habib ‘Umar

This text is a concise discussion of matters affecting the relationship between a student and a spiritual teacher. Adapted from the teachings of Habib ‘Umar bin Hafiz, it covers both conceptual and practical knowledge necessary to benefit from such a relationship, with extended discussion of both outward and inward etiquettes of the student towards the teacher.

The author writes in his introduction:

“I hope [this text] would enable us to recognise the right of being in the company of those whose condition inspires us and whose words guide us towards Allah ﷻ so that we too could hold on to divine attributes, be imbued with prophetic characteristics, and imbibe the qualities of the true servants.”

Excerpts from the Qur’an are interspersed throughout the text, with extended commentary on those verses most relevant to the relationship between teachers and students. The text also includes an overview of the history of spiritual teachers from the time of the Prophet ﷺ down to the present day, the role of such relationships in da’wah, the responsibilities and potential pitfalls of establishing such a connection, and other related issues.