Obituary: Habib Abd Allah bin Shihab

The Muslim Umma has lost another giant scholar, caller to guidance, and deeply devoted, exemplary servant of God and Prophetic inheritor. The learned noble, al-Sayyid al-Habib Abd Allah bin Shihab, Allah have mercy upon him, has died.

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ‎

“Death is sufficient as a reminder,” as Sayyiduna Umar, Allah be pleased with him, used to say.

We all bear a responsibility to uphold faith, guidance, devotion, service, and good — personally in our own lives, and socially.

Reflect on Surat al-Asr and what it calls us to. To hasten to realize true faith with deep urgency. Rush to good deeds with excellence. Call one another to Truth in all its expressions and implications, with Beauty.

Call one another to beautiful steadfastness and resolve upon all that is beloved to God, all that reflects the lights of God’s Beloved Messenger Muhammad, Allah bless him and give him peace, and his family and companions.

Strive to embody Light. Seek all means that bring Light in your life and can help you spread Light in the lives of others. And never accept Darkness.

That’s the struggle.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to pray:

اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الإِيمَانِ، وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

“O Allah, adorn us with the beauty of true faith, and make us guides to good who are themselves rightly-guided.” [Nasa’i and others; sound]

And all facilitation and success is from Allah Most High.

Al-Fatiha