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Ihya

Haddad’s Lives of Man: Passing Through the Stages of Human Existence

Course Overview

This is a Level One course based on the amazing work of Imam ‘Abdullah bin ‘Alawi al-Haddad titled Lives of Man. Imam Haddad was a late 17th, early 18th-century scholar and sage from the city of Tarim, in the Hadramawt valley of South Yemen. The text answers two existential and essential questions that every Human asks themselves at some point in their life, ‘Where did I come from?’ and ‘Where am I going?’

Every Muslim, young or old, should take this course for without answers to these fundamental questions to life, one will be hindered in the pursuit and attainment of life’s purpose. Knowing the ‘Why’ makes accomplishing the ‘What’ easier and more worthwhile. All this in hopes to achieve the ultimate success of Allah’s sweet eternal contentment and nearness.

This class touches on and clarifies important issues relating to the Muslim’s beliefs. Furthermore, it contains great knowledge pertinent to one’s spiritual journey in seeking nearness to Allah Most High. For this reason, beginning students, alongside intermediate and advanced students should have a study of this amazing work. That said, it fits nicely in the learning objectives of each level of study.

We hope to accomplish a fundamental knowledge of the five stages that humans pass through from the beginning of their existence as souls not yet embodied up till they are situated in one of the two final abodes: Paradise or Hell-Fire. Additionally, we will seek to clarify what the Human must do in order to prepare for death and achieve the greatest success in this world and those to come. And only from Allah is the ultimate success.

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About the Text

Of all of his amazing works, Imam Haddad’s Lives of Man is unique and essential to the core realities of what it means to be Human. The text explains the five lives that each human passes through since the initiation of their existence:

• The Pre-Worldly Life

• The Worldly Life

• The Intermediary Life

• The Life of Judgment Day

• The Life of the Eternal Abode.

Imam Haddad ingeniously explains each life and what the human is to do in order to attain ultimate success in the worldly life and those to come. Lastly, this book adds a beautiful benefit to the already beneficial curriculum.


About the Author

Imam ‘Abdullah bin ‘Alawi bin Muhammad al-Haddad was born on Thursday night, the 5th of Safar 1044AH (appx.1634CE). He passed away on Wednesday night, the 7th of Dhu’l Qa’ada 1132AH (appx. 1719AH).

Haddad’s book on the stages of human life is one of the foremost in the subject due to its unique style and deep spiritual realities. Imam Haddad, though a master in many sciences, was known for his works on the spiritual science of Tasawwuf. His books on Tasawwuf as well as his poems are read worldwide centuries after his passing (Allah have mercy on him). For this reason, he is known as the pillar of inviting to Allah and guiding creation (Quṭb al-D’awa wa’l Irshad).

Some of his other works include: The Book of Assistance, The Complete Summons, Religious Counsels, The Etiquettes of the Seeker, and a compilation of poems some of which have been translated.

The books of Imam Haddad have been translated into hundreds of languages and Lives of Man has been and still is one of the core books because of which many people have entered into Islam.

Who is This Course For?

  • This course is for people aged 15 - 80.
  • It is particularly beneficial for adults.
  • It is a Level One course. There are no prerequisite requirements.
  • This course can also be taken by anyone who is interested in knowing more about Islamic beliefs, or spirituality.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand, articulate and apply realities core to their purpose in life.
  • Apply these principles in their lives going forward, in their outlook, their goals, and their choices.
Free

About the Instructor

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then travelled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied inheritance law, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.


Lesson Outline

  • Lesson 1: First Life: The Life of the Souls
  • Lesson 2: Second Life: The Worldly Life
  • Lesson 3: Second Life: The Worldly Life Part 2
  • Lesson 4: The Worldly Life Part 3
  • Lesson 5: The Intermediate Life
  • Lesson 06: Judgment Day Part One
  • Lesson 07: Judgment Day Part Two
  • Lesson 08: The Fire of Hell Part One
  • Lesson 09: The Fire of Hell Part Two
  • Lesson 10: The Paradise Part One
  • Lesson 11: The Paradise Part Two
  • Lesson 12: The True Life: Advices for the Journey

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