Sufi Sage of Arabia: Imam Abdallah ibn Alawi al-Haddad

by Mostafa al-Badawi

This biography of the saint and Iman Abdallah al-Haddad takes readers into the fascinating world and spiritual life of 17th- and early 18th-century Yemen. The life of this renown spiritual master—whose teachings and personal example continue to influence lives around the world—is examined, from his early attraction to Sufi poetry and visit to the tomb of the prophet Hud to his rise as a Sufi master, his Hajj journey to Mecca, and his death. The biographical facts of al-Haddad's life are interspersed with 35 black and white photographs and ruminations on his spiritual teachings, including his take on the "nine stages of certainty," the five investitures of taqwa, the stages of gnosis, and karamat and super natural events. Sufi practitioners, historians, and anthropologists will come to a deeper understanding of this timeless and enduring tradition with this fascinating record of a seminal Sufi master.

"Two paths to God exist for the people of this world, the path to salvation and the path to sanctification. For those who seek more than the minimum, who desire more than the average man, who want and yearn for intimate knowledge of their source and ultimate destiny, sanctification allows them that possibility . . . This book, while a biography of one of the greatest saints in Islamic history, is more than that. It is a book of alchemy itself, filled from start to finish with the science of tasawwuf, which is and has always been the heart of Islamic tradition . . . Dr. Badawi was a student of a direct descendent of Shaykh Abdallah al-Haddad, Habib Ahmad Mashur al-Haddad. Those of us fortunate enough to have known him personally consider him a realized spiritual master and sanctified soul, and none can sanctify save God . . . This book is a compelling testimony to the spiritual power and influence of the sanctified soul on the world. It is perhaps more importantly for us a step toward re-introducing the desperately needed path of sanctification." Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

"At a time when the Muslim world is suffering from false teachings being spread by extremists, the message of al-Haddad offers a precious means of return to the high ethical and spiritual standards of classical Islam. The publication of this important book should prove a milestone on the way of furthering that blessed effort." T. J. Winter

This unique biography of the saint Imam Abdallah al-Haddad takes readers into the fascinating world and spiritual life of 17th-and early 18th-century Yemen. The life of this great spiritual master whose teachings and personal example continue to influence lives around the world is examined, from his early attraction to Sufi poetry and visit to the tomb of the prophet Hud to his rise as a Sufi master. The biographical facts of al-Haddad's life are interspersed with his spiritual teachings, including those on the nine stages of certainty, the five investitures of taqwa, the stages of gnosis, and supernatural events. Sufi practitioners, historians, and anthropologists will come to a deeper understanding of this timeless and enduring tradition with this fascinating record of a seminal Sufi master's life and death.

From the Fons Vitae Imam al-Haddad Spiritual Masters series, which includes The Book of Assistance (1872038018), Gifts for the Seeker (1887752579), and The Lives of Man (1887752145).

Genres: Biography, Islam, Religion, History

238 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi is a scholar of Islamic sciences as well as a consultant Psychiatrist and member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Dr. Badawi is one of the leading contemporary translators of Islamic books from Arabic to English. He has translated the 10 treatises that constitute the complete prose works of Imām al-Ḥaddād, Key to the Garden by Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad, The Degrees of the Soul by Shaykh al-Shabrāwī, and a collection of Bā-Alawī treatises recently published under the title Spiritual Insights.

الدكتور / مصطفى حسن البدوي ، ولد بالقاهرة عام 1948م ونشأ بها. تخرج من كلية الطب جامعة القاهرة تخرج الدكتور مصطفى حسن البدوي بكلية الطب، جامعة القاهرة، عام 1971، ثم سافر إلى بريطانيا حيث حصل على زمالة الكلية الملكية للأطباء النفسيين بلندن سنة 1983. ويعمل منذ ذلك الحين استشاريا في الطب النفسي. أخذ عن كثير من العلماء من من الأزهر الشريف وفي الحجاز، وله إهتمام خاص بالسيرة النبوية، وعلم النفس الإسلامي، ومظاهر الحضارة الإسلامية في مختلف بقاع الأرض، وعلامات آخر الزمان ومدى تطابقها مع تطورات العصر الحديث...

من مؤلفاته:
-كتاب ( الإمام الحداد: مجدد القرن الثاني عشر ) عام 1414 هـ.
-كتاب ( يوم الفرقان أسرار غزوة بدر )
-كتاب ( علامات آخر الزمان بين العولمة والإرهاب )
-كتاب ( لطائف الإشارات في أسرار المآذن والمنارات )
-كتاب ( هل اقتربت الساعة؟ )
-كتاب ( علم النفس الإسلامي ) باللغة الإنجليزية، تحت الطبع.
-قام بترجمة عدة كتب دينية إلي اللغة الإنجليزية ونشرت بلندن.

Reviews

[Amjad Tarsin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him once said regarding one's company in the afterlife, "You are with the ones you love."

This biography presents the opportunity to fall in love with a true scholar and Man of God, Imam Abdullah Al-Haddad. Although not always easy to take in due to the perfect nature of Imam Al-Haddad's life, this book gives you insight into the life of the great scholar and author of such books as "The Book of Assistance" and "The Lives of Man."

A great book if you want to learn more about Imam Al-Haddad's spiritual journey to know God, and a guide to reach Him yourself.

[Suhayb · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in a while. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the Ba Alawi Tariqah.

[Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sit with the masters, drink in their baraka, for their mere presence radiates such light that whoever is with them is penetrated by it through and through." This is the soundest advice for any seeker. I would add that reading about the mountains of the past such as Imam al-Haddad, while far from the same as a physical meeting, is also illuminating to the soul.

Born in Tarim, Yemen in 1044 AH (1634 CE) and passing in 1132 AH (1720 CE) he is widely recognized as the Renewer of the 12th Hijri Century, for he was a true polymath; being accomplished in the earthly sciences of his time, while being the supreme Gnostic saint of his time. Imam al-Haddad's aphorisms and teachings are as relevant today as they were when they were first written. His writing are concise, sharp and to the point making them suitable for our modern busy lives to help us navigate the terrain that he undoubtedly foresaw.

Such perfect men have always existed in our Ummah and only by appreciating the enormity of the gulf between us and them can we truly take the first steps on the path from the ordinary to the extraordinary. This book gives the reader a peak into the life of one of these men of God, hopefully opening a window into the reader's own soul for the baraka & light to illuminate.

[Hamza Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any bio for me is worth reading. Learning from the people of the past, especially men of God, and how they lived their life is something truly inspiring.

Whilst there was many inspiring incidents within the life of Imam alHaddad, this book left me asking more questions with regards to certain incidents from a Islamic Theological point. Some of the language used could of been toned down also so as not to lose the reader in some higher terms within the sufi path.

This book is good for someone already with Islamic theological knowledge as well as being someone familiar with the path of self-purification. Nevertheless the less it was a good read.

[Ali Ishtiaq · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent Read!!!