The Book of Assistance

By Imam ‘Abdallah Ibn ‘Alawi Al-Haddad

Fons Vitae (2003)

Lately I have joined some members of my family to attend the twice monthly Ratib sessions held at Masjid al Bukhari in Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur.   (In Arabic, Rataba means to arrange in a regular sequence.  Thus a Ratib is a sequential supplication to Allah.) As part of the sessions, Ratib al Haddad is recited before Maghrib (sunset) prayers.  I was excited to find a book written by the author of Ratib al Haddad.

The book is a simple and practical guide for those who wish to improve themselves as Muslims and for beginners along the Sufi path.

On reciting the Quran he says, “You must have a wird of recitation of the Mighty Book to be read every day.”  The actual wird is left to the individual, may be one juz (a thirtieth part of the Quran) or ten juz a day.

On following the sunnah (way of the Prophet S.A.W.) it can be simple exercises such as, “When you either eat or drink always begin with bismillah (in the name of God) and conclude with Alhamdulillah (praised be God).”

He reminds, “You must enjoin good and forbid evil, for this is the pivot around which religion revolves, and is the reason why God revealed His Books and sent His Messengers.”

Credit must also be given to the translator, Mostafa al-Badawi, for arranging the book into easily identifiable chapters and including necessary annotations to make understanding the book much easier.

The book is very readable, simple and practical for any lay person, not some esoteric mumbo jumbo that needs a ‘Master’ to interpret it to be understood.