Some of the Proper Manners of Service (khidma) Ones Teachers—and in All Religious Activism – Habib Umar bin Hafiz
Some of the Proper Manners of Service (khidma) Ones Teachers—and in All Religious Activism
Muwasala—an excellent resource for reliable Islamic guidance—share the following response from Habib Umar bin Hafiz:
What are some of the etiquettes of service (khidma)? [Muwasala]
[The Intention in Serving]
Any type of service, whether it be service of a shaykh or anyone else, should be conducted with the intention of purifying the soul by means of the benefit that comes about through it
[All Benefit Is Service]
Being a cause of any kind of benefit is in fact a type of service.
[The Reality of Service]
Assisting the shaykh in implementing his objectives or assisting anyone in implementing any objective which is valid in the Shariah is a type of service.
[What Service is Most Spiritually Beneficial?]
Any action which requires humility is more beneficial for the soul, such as cleaning, washing and cooking. An important etiquette is to keep the private affairs of the shaykh or anyone else being served secret.
[Sincerely Seeking The Pleasure of Allah in Serving is the Key]
The person serving should have sincerity at all times and should believe that he benefits himself through his service and not that he is doing a favour to those he is serving.
Muwasala is an online repository for the scholarly teachings of the blessed tradition of Ḥaḍramawt. The word muwasala simultaneously means “connection” and “continuity.” These two words explain the underlying purpose of this website: to open the doors for seekers to benefit from one of the great scholarly traditions of the Ummah, firstly by establishing a connection to its teachings, and secondly by embarking upon a continual path of study.
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