Habib Umar bin Hafiz

Umar ibn Muhammad ibn Salim ibn Hafiz (b. 1963 CE / 1383 AH), commonly known as Habib Umar bin Hafiz, is one of the most influential living Islamic scholars. Born in Tarim, Hadhramaut, Yemen, into the Ba'Alawi sada family that traces its lineage to the Prophet Muhammad through Husayn ibn Ali, he grew up in a household of deep learning and spirituality. His father, Muhammad ibn Salim bin Hafiz, was a prominent scholar who was killed during the communist era in South Yemen.

In 1993, Habib Umar founded Dar al-Mustafa, a traditional Islamic seminary in Tarim that has become one of the most renowned centers of Islamic learning in the modern world. Students from across the globe come to study the traditional Islamic sciences under his guidance and the guidance of other scholars at the institution. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of sacred knowledge with spiritual practice.

He is a Shafi'i jurist, Ash'ari theologian, and a master of the Ba'Alawi Sufi tradition. He travels extensively, delivering lectures and leading gatherings of remembrance (dhikr) in countries across the world. He is known for his emphasis on prophetic character, spiritual purification, and service to the community. He is consistently ranked among the most influential Muslims in the world.