This morning, through the grace and permission of the Real (al-Haqq), Habib Umar bin Hafiz , may Allah preserve him and benefit us and the Muslims through him, began a weekly lesson in purification (tazkiya) from the text, “Red Sulfur and the Greatest Elixir,” (al-Kibrit al-Ahmar wa ‘l-Iksir al-Akbar) by Habib ‘Abdullah bin Abu Bakr al-’Aydarus.

The lesson series was initiated following Habib Umar’s recent trips abroad where he felt a need to strengthen the connection with those seeking knowledge and spiritual progress throughout the world.

In the first half hour of the lesson, Habib Umar delivered a commentary on Imam al-’Aydarus’s book and then for the second half hour answered questions sent in by those following the lesson.

Anyone who wishes to ask a question relating to the lesson or any aspect of spiritual wayfaring should send it to tazkiah@alhabibomar.com either during the lesson or at any other time.

After the recording finished, Habib Umar told a group of us that the early Imams of the Ba’Alawi Way did not author texts, but rather, their authorship was that of elect men and that the earliest texts were at the time of al-’Aydarus, and thus Habib Umar began there.

In many respects, this first lesson was an historical event. We ask Allah to accept and that He grant us ikhlas (sincerity), honesty and ihsan (excellence) in this endeavor.

The lesson will in sha’ Allah continue weekly on Sundays at 11 AM – 12 PM Makkah time (GMT+3) [Convert to your time zone].

Click here to download the lesson in video format or here for audio.