Al-Habib `Abdallah bin
`Alawi al-Haddad

Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
"O Allah! Bless us in our Yemen", our beloved Prophet prayed
So the Lord's blessings gently poured forth from His benevolent aid
Drizzling down from the heavens onto the valley of Hadramawt
Enriching its soil from which the seeds of sacred knowledge would sprout
From east to west spiritual seekers sip from its every stream
Flowing from Zanbal's garden found in the blessed town of Tarim
Each century Allah sends to the Ummah a shining jewel
Sent to preserve the religion, entrusted with its renewal
For the twelfth Islamic century, such a saintly scholar came
Al-Imam `AbdAllah bin `Alawi al Haddad was his name
The light from Allah's Messenger shone in his every word and deed
He's the quintessential Shaykh in whom you'll find everything you need
Descending from Allah's Prophet , and those likened to Noah's ark
He would steer the ship upon which those destined for safety embark
His path was that of the pious predecessors, he never strayed
From following the Companions, and Shaykhs like Imam al-Junayd
Shaykh `Abdul Qadir, the Proof of Islam Imam al-Ghazali
Imam as-Shafi`i and the Imams of the blessed Valley
Like Imam al-Muhajir and al-Habib `Umar al-`Attas
Who was the Shaykh of Imam al-Haddad and Shaykh `Ali Ba Ras
From great teachers, Imam al-Haddad received an abundant share
A blessed young sufi sage, whom they made their spiritual heir
He'd been steadfast since his childhood, reciting the Book of Allah
Given to solitude, the Prayer, and studying Sacred Law
Excelling till he became a master of its every science
A most erudite scholar, the Pillar of Religious Guidance
In him the two seas of inward and outward knowledge united
And to Allah, His Book and His Prophet's Sunnah he invited
He is the Pillar of Calling to Allah, one surpassing all
In using speech, writing and travelling on foot to make the call
A call to worship Allah with sincerity and not for show
He purified hearts from rust and with the light of faith made them glow
Scholars and laymen, and even those once spiritually blind
Shown the way by a special guide whose inner-sight was so refined
A vast ocean of knowledge and spiritual realities
He followed the Sunnah of teaching to people's capacities
So discerning, he knew the times, and taught people to understand
The methods along the Path of the Companions of the Right Hand
He gave them recitals such as his Ratib and Wird al-Latif
And writings he filled with useful advice, comprehensive yet brief
Brimming with blessings his writings are treasures that seekers cherish
Such as The Complete Summons, The Lives of Man that Wane and Perish
The Book of Assistance, his Religious Counsels of many kinds
And his poetry, Pearls for Discerning and Understanding Minds
A fountain of knowledge for students who sat at his feet and learned
In his benefit to others, it's clear he left no stone unturned
For orphans he was a beacon, for travellers an oasis
He helped the poor and widows, and paid workers beyond their wages
His masjid and home in al-Hawi had a constant stream of guests
So graciously he received them and assisted with their requests
He led mawlid celebrations and visitations that include
Maqams like that of al-Faqih al Muqaddam and Nabi Hud
His Hajj was filled with miracles, it was historic and sublime
How fortunate for those who made the Hajj with the qutb of their time!
Whose each breath was for his Lord till to his Lord his soul ascended
Blessed was his funeral and the multitudes who attended
May his teachings continue to renew our love for al-Islam
O Allah, raise the station in Paradise of the great Imam
And all of his heirs like Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi
To Habib Ahmad Mash-hur and all linked to this great legacy!
Al-Fatiha!
Madrasa Riyada, Toronto, Canada
Rajab 1442 A.H. / Februrary 2021 C.E.