Habib Umar bin Hafiz

Habib Umar bin Hafiz (Arabic: حبيب عمر بن حفيظ; born 27 May 1963) is a renowned Yemeni Sunni and Sufi Islamic scholar, spiritual guide, educator, and author. He is founder and dean of the Dar al-Mustafa Islamic seminary in Tarim, Hadhramaut, and serves as a leading teacher and influencer in the Ba Alawi Sufi tradition. Recognised globally for his dedication to Islamic education, spiritual cultivation, and social outreach, he is often ranked among the world’s most influential Muslim scholars.

Early Life and Education

Habib Umar was born in Tarim, Hadhramaut, Yemen, into a distinguished family of scholars and descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, through Imam al-Husayn and ‘Ali Zayn al-‘Abidin. His father, al-Habib Muhammad bin Salim bin Hafiz, was the Mufti of Tarim and a noted Islamic jurist. At a young age, Umar memorised the Qur’an and core texts in Islamic sciences. Following the disappearance and presumed martyrdom of his father amid political upheaval, he intensified his religious studies under various eminent scholars, including Habib Muhammad al-Haddar and Habib Zayn bin Sumayt.

He pursued further learning in the Hijaz, Makkah and Madinah, where he received licences (ijazah) from scholars such as Habib Abdul Qadir al-Saqqaf and Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad. He also studied in Oman and different regions of Yemen, gaining mastery in traditional Islamic sciences.

Career

Habib Umar’s career began as a teacher and caller to Islam. He established weekly lessons and da‘wah activities throughout Yemen and beyond, mentoring many students who themselves became scholars. After the fall of Yemen’s socialist regime, he returned to Hadhramaut and in 1993 founded Dar al-Mustafa, an Islamic seminary in Tarim dedicated to transmitting traditional Islamic knowledge and uplifting spiritual character.

Dar al-Mustafa has become a hub for seekers of sacred knowledge from across the world—students from Indonesia, Malaysia, Tanzania, Kenya, Britain, and the United States attend its programmes. Habib Umar has travelled extensively as part of his outreach, teaching in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. He sits on the Supreme Advisory Council for the Tabah Foundation in Abu Dhabi and has been involved in interfaith initiatives such as "A Common Word Between Us and You." He has partnered with NGOs such as Muslim Aid Australia and founded local charitable initiatives in Yemen.

Achievements

• Founder and Dean of Dar al-Mustafa: Established one of the world’s leading Islamic seminaries for spiritual and traditional Islamic sciences.
• Ba Alawi Sufi Leadership: A leading figure in the Ba Alawi tariqa, with global influence over Islamic spiritual practice.
• International Influence: Ranked among the world’s most influential Muslims; has shaped Islamic teaching and da‘wah in numerous countries.
• Advocacy and Outreach: Active in humanitarian work, interfaith dialogue, and spiritual development through lectures and charitable enterprises.

Books and Publications

Habib Umar bin Hafiz has authored a substantial body of work in Arabic, many of which have been translated to English and other languages:

• Mukhtar al-Hadith: Selection of Noble Prophetic Traditions
• Clarification of Noble Character (Al-Tawdhih fi Makarim al-Akhlaq)
• Al Khulasa: The Cream of Remembrance
• Sufism: Its Essence & the Traits of its People
• Advice to Students (Tawjihat al-Tullab)
• The Shimmering Light on the Birth of the Interceding Prophet
• Prayers upon the Beloved: Supplications by Al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz
• The Summary of Prophetic Aid (Khuslasa al-Maddad al-Nabawi fil-Adhkar)
• The Light of Faith from the Speech of the Beloved of al-Rahman
• Our Traits (Khuluquna)
• Collections of poetry and invocations.

Personal Life

Habib Umar is married and resides in Tarim, Yemen. He descends from a family tracing its lineage directly to the Prophet Muhammad. His life is marked by dedication to scholarship, social service, and spiritual development.

Legacy and Impact

Habib Umar bin Hafiz’s legacy centres on the global revival and propagation of traditional Islamic knowledge, spirituality, and practice. Through Dar al-Mustafa and his travels, he has mentored thousands of students and inspired Muslims worldwide. He is especially celebrated for his holistic approach, combining sacred learning, moral refinement, and community service. His influence endures in the fields of Sufism, Quranic studies, and Islamic scholarship across continents.