Notes

(And) What he said a tribute to Imam al-Haddad's poem in praise of Imam al-Ghazzali's book Ihya `Ulumud-Din (Revival of the Islamic Sciences) in which he says `Wa ma qalahu awwahuna wa munibuna' (And what he said makes us lamentful and penitent)

La ilaha Illallah there is none worthy of worship except Allah

Murshid al Kaamil Accomplished Guide (to Allah) i.e. Al Habib Ahmad Mashur al-Haddad

Imam al-Busiri's Mantle a 160 verse poem in praise of Prophet Muhammad composed by the great Sufi Shaykh Imam Sharafuddin Muhammad al-Busiri (may Allah bestow His mercy upon him) d. 695 A.H. (1296 C.E.)

Good advice in Arabic 'nasiha'

Take hold! a tribute to Shaykh Mohamed Mlamali Adam (may Allah protect him) who after introducing Key to the Garden wrote: "So here's the Key. Take hold of it with might."

`Ilm Sacred Knowledge i.e. it is seen that Al-Habib is an `alim

Accomplished Preacher ad-Da'i al-Kaamil

Himma aspiration

Ahlul Sunnah i.e. Ahlul Sunnah wal Jama'ah, those who follow the way of life of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and of his beloved Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all); also known as Sunni Muslims

Tawhid Absolute Oneness of Allah, Islamic Monotheism

Qur'an: Allah's final revelation to mankind revealed to the Prophet Muhammad

Hadith Sharif the Noble Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) sometimes defined as his acts, sayings and tacit approvals.

`Alayhis-salatu wassalam on him, may there be peace and blessing (from Allah)

Imam Leader (in Arabic)

The Proof of Islam Hujjatul Islam: epithet of the great scholar Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali (may Allah spread his benefit). d. 505 A.H. (1111 C.E.)

Tahlil the recitation of `La ilaha Illallah' (there is none worthy of worship except Allah)

Shaytan Arabic for `Satan'

Teacher of Teachers Shaykhul Mashaaikh

Adhkaar plural of zikr which is the "remembrance" of Allah - here referring to particular recitals

A Shaykh of Tariq An acknowledged guide of a tariqa (sufi order), Al-Habib was a Sufi Shaykh of the Ba `Alawi tariqa

Tahqiq spiritual realization

Nabiyyul Karim the Generous Prophet (i.e. Prophet Muhammad may Allah bless him and grant him peace), karim is one of the blessed names of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) as mentioned in the Qur'an: 69:40

Ya Rahim O The Merciful (i.e. Allah)

`Ibad servants, worshippers

The Prophet i.e. Prophet Muhammad may Allah bless him and grant him peace

Qutbul Irshad The Pillar of Spiritual Guidance, Imam `Abdallah ibn `Alawi al-Haddad

Pious restrictions i.e. Al-Habib is a Muttaqi (one who has taqwa or reverential awe of Almighty Allah) and so he respects and follows the Shari'ah (the Muslim Sacred Law).

Courageous Convictions i.e. Al-Habib has tawakkul (complete trust in Allah) and one who has certainty (yaqin)

Gnostic i.e. Al-Habib is an `Arif Billah (Knower of Allah)

Lover i.e. Al-Habib is a Muhibb (one who loves Allah and His Messenger

Full of concern this reminds us of the Ayah (verse) from the Holy Qur'an where Allah (the Most High) says about Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), "There has come to you (O people) a Messenger from among yourselves; extremely grievous to him is your suffering; full of concern for you is he, and for the believers, full of pity and compassion..." (Qur'an 9:128)

Ummah the community as identified by its religion, law, and morality; refers especially to the world-wide community of Muslims

Could never be measured reference to a verse in the Qur'an where Allah (The Most High) says, "And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude." (Qur'an:14:34)

Increase his reward The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, `When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and righteous offspring who pray for him.” (Muslim) Allah in His Infinite Grace and Mercy multiplies the merit/reward of His servant's good deeds as He pleases.

Testimony i.e. Kalima Shahada (The Muslim Testimony of Faith) which is to bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is his Messenger

The one who worked solely for Allah i.e. Prophet Muhammad

Salat and Salam Blessings and Peace (in Arabic)