The Ratib al-Attas is said to be the only piece of literature attributed to Habib Umar during his lifetime.

Habib Umar al-Attas was born in 1583 CE/992 AH in the village al-Lisk. He was raised by his father Abd ar-Rahman, who was also a saintly man. The family name al-Attas, meaning ‘to sneeze’ comes from a miracle associated with Habib Umar’s grandfather, Aqil bin Salim. It is said that while he was in his mother’s womb, she would hear him sneeze and praise Allah thereafter. This miracle continued through the generations and Habib Umar is also said to have behaved in this miraculous way in the womb.

Habib was a man of great spiritual stature, although his commitment to remaining hidden and aversion to fame veiled his reality from the people. Few were able to comprehend the magnitude of his rank during his lifetime. Only the saints, blessed with spiritual unveiling, would recognise and pronounce his grandeur. One of them was his Shaykh, Husain bin Abu Bakr bin Salim, who would proclaim his greatness when he was disregarded by the people due to his simple dress and blindness.

Benefits of Ratib al-Attas

The Ratib al-Attas is a litany filled with lights and secrets, containing both worldly and spiritual benefits. Imam Ali bin Hasan al-Attas has mentioned in the commentary of the Ratib al-Attas, the Qirtas, ‘This Ratib is a gift to the people, bestowed by Allah through this great Imam.’

The one who recites Ratib al-Attas will experience protection, increase in sustenance, protection, a long life as well as the reward for remembering Allah. The reciter will receive according to the nobility of his intention. The recommended time for its recitation is after the Isha prayer, and before Isha in the month of Ramadan. In times of distress or for the fulfilment of needs, it should be recited in the morning and the evening, as the prayers found in Ratib al-Attas are sourced from supplications in the Quran and the Sunnah, which are recommended to be read during the day and in the evening.

Habib Umar al-Attas related many benefits of reciting the Ratib. He said, ‘People approached him complaining of insufficient sustenance. He advised them to recite this Ratib, completing it with the recitation of la ilaha illa Allah at the end of the Ratib.’ They acted upon his advice, and Allah relieved them of their distress.

It was also related on the authority of Shaykh Ali bin Abdallah Ba Ras that one who recites this Ratib regularly, it is hoped that their sins will be forgiven. He also said, ‘When this Ratib is recited in a place, it is a means of protection from tribulation and it is a protection and fortification for them equivalent to having the protection of seventy knights. There is no doubt or dispute in this.’

Habib Ali bin Hasan al-Attas said, “Whenever I am in fear and I recite it, I do not experience anything bad. Some of the close companions have also mentioned that they recited it when they were in fear of being attacked by a gang of thieves who were going to steal their things, but they were unable to, and there was fifteen of them.’

Sayyid Alawi bin Alawi bin Abdallah Ba Alawi related that towards the end of his life, as he felt the burden of death approaching, he visited Tarim during the lifetime of Imam Abdallah bin Alawi al-Haddad. Imam al-Haddad said, ‘O Sayyid Alawi, death seems imminent.’ He replied, ‘O Sayyid Abdallah, pray that my death is delayed. I would like to reach my town Amad and see my children and family.’ Habib Abdallah said to him, ‘Repeat the saying of our Master Umar in his Ratib, ‘Ya Latifan lam yazal ukufbina fi ma nazal innaka latifun lam tazal ukufbina wa’l-Muslimin. Keep reading this until you reach your hometown Amad.’ After reaching his hometown, he lived two months longer, until he passed away.