Ratib al-Attas

His Spiritual Rank

Although Habib Umar became one of the greatest saints of Hadramawt, he deliberately concealed his spiritual rank and disliked fame or public recognition. Because of his humility, simple appearance, and blindness, many people failed to recognise his true station during his lifetime. Those gifted with spiritual insight, however, acknowledged his extraordinary rank.

Among them was his teacher, Shaykh Husayn ibn Abu Bakr ibn Salim, who openly spoke of Habib Umar’s lofty spiritual state. Addressing those who overlooked him, he said:

Were you to see what this Sayyid possesses, you would lower your banners before him, bow your heads, and both your spirits and bodies would yearn for him.

His close disciple, Shaykh Ali Ba Ras, once remarked that relatively few people had truly benefited from him. Habib Umar replied:

If they had looked at me in the way that you look at me, I would have taken them to Allah in an instant.

He would also say:

No one comes to us except those whom we will.

The Testimony of Imam al-Haddad

Among Habib Umar’s greatest students was Imam Abdallah ibn Alawi al-Haddad, who frequently spoke of his teacher with profound admiration.

When asked whether Habib Umar had authored any books or poetry, Imam al-Haddad replied:

I, Shaykh Ali Ba Ras, and Shaykh Muhammad Ba Mashmus are among his works.

Rather than leaving behind numerous written compositions, Habib Umar’s greatest legacy was the scholars and saints he nurtured.

Imam al-Haddad also said:

When I visited Habib Umar ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Attas, I saw that he embodied everything inherited from his predecessors, extending all the way back to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

Describing his teacher further, he said:

This Sayyid is a testament to uprightness and the true station of servitude. He is among the greatest in concealing spiritual secrets, subduing the ego, displaying humility, preferring obscurity, and turning away from the attention of people. Yet few truly know him, for most of his perfections are hidden, and none are drawn to him except those endowed with understanding and spiritual insight.

Humility and Character

Despite the immense spiritual rank attributed to him by the great scholars of his age, Habib Umar remained deeply humble throughout his life. He never claimed any special station for himself, nor did he attribute importance to his own worship, knowledge, or spiritual achievements. Instead, he relied entirely upon the mercy and generosity of Allah.

Imam al-Haddad described him simply as:

A sign of Allah in humility.

Those who knew him observed that, despite his lofty spiritual station, he was distinguished by exceptional compassion, kindness, and modesty. During congregational prayers, he never reserved a special place for himself. Instead, he would sit wherever there was space and would not permit anyone to surrender their place on his account.

He was equally renowned for his generosity towards the poor, widows, and those in need, as well as for his affection towards children and his gentle treatment of all people.

Glimpses of His Spiritual State

Habib Umar rarely spoke about his own spiritual rank. On the few occasions when such remarks escaped him, they occurred while he was overcome by intense spiritual states.

It is related that a student once asked whether anyone could attain the spiritual rank of Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani. Habib Umar replied:

I am like him, and like him, and like him.

He repeated these words twenty times.

Those who transmitted this account emphasised that such statements were made only while he was spiritually enraptured. Outside of these rare moments, Habib Umar consistently attributed all goodness to Allah alone and remained a model of humility and self-effacement.

Reported Benefits of Ratib al-Attas

Ratib al-Attas is regarded as one of the great litanies of Hadramawt, bringing together Qur’anic verses, Prophetic supplications, and invocations taught by Habib Umar al-Attas. It has been recited for centuries throughout the Muslim world, particularly in Yemen, East Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent.

In his commentary on the Ratib, Al-Qirtas, Imam Ali ibn Hasan al-Attas describes it as:

A gift to the people, bestowed by Allah through this great Imam.

The Ratib is traditionally recited after the Isha prayer, while during Ramadan it is commonly recited before Isha. In times of difficulty, hardship, or when seeking the fulfilment of a particular need, scholars have also recommended reciting it in both the morning and evening. Since its supplications are drawn from the Qur’an and Sunnah, including many of the established morning and evening adhkar, its regular recitation combines numerous acts of remembrance within a single litany.

Protection and Divine Preservation

Many of the narrations surrounding Ratib al-Attas relate to Allah’s protection for those who recite it regularly.

Shaykh Ali ibn Abdallah Ba Ras said:

Whoever recites this Ratib regularly may hope for the forgiveness of their sins. When this Ratib is recited in a place, it is a means of protection from tribulation and a fortification for its people equivalent to the protection of seventy knights. There is no doubt or dispute in this.”

Habib Ali ibn Hasan al-Attas also said:

Whenever I am in fear and I recite it, I do not experience anything harmful.

He further related that some of his close companions once feared an attack from a gang of fifteen thieves who intended to rob them. They recited the Ratib, and the thieves were unable to carry out their plan.

Another well-known account concerns the desert tribe of Al-Masud, who were devoted to Habib Umar al-Attas and maintained the regular recitation of the Ratib. Their attachment to it was so great that even their women and children had memorised it.

On one occasion, a neighbouring tribe prepared to launch a large-scale attack against them and sent scouts ahead during the night. As the spies approached, they heard the people of Al-Masud reciting the words:

Bismi Llāhi āmannā bi-Llāhi wa-man yuʾmin bi-Llāhi lā khawfa ʿalayhi…

In the name of Allah, we believe in Allah, and whoever believes in Allah has nothing to fear.

One of the scouts was deeply affected by what he heard. He returned to his people and strongly advised them not to attack Al-Masud under any circumstances, and the planned assault was abandoned.

Relief from Hardship

It is also related that a group of people once came to Habib Umar al-Attas complaining of financial hardship and insufficient sustenance. He instructed them to recite the Ratib regularly and complete it with the recitation of Lā ilāha illā Llāh. They acted upon his advice, and Allah relieved them of their difficulty.

Seeking Allah’s Gentleness

Another narration concerns Sayyid Alawi ibn Alawi ibn Abdallah Ba Alawi, who, towards the end of his life, travelled to visit Imam Abdallah ibn Alawi al-Haddad. Perceiving that his death was near, Imam al-Haddad said to him:

O Sayyid Alawi, death seems imminent.

Sayyid Alawi replied:

Pray that my death is delayed, for I wish to return to my hometown of Amad and see my family once more.

Imam al-Haddad instructed him to recite the well-known words from Ratib al-Attas:

Yā Laṭīfan lam yazal,
ulṭuf binā fī mā nazal.
Innaka Laṭīfun lam tazal,
ulṭuf binā wa-l-Muslimīn.

He advised him to continue reciting these words until he reached his hometown. It is related that Sayyid Alawi safely arrived in Amad and lived for a further two months before returning to Allah.

Reported Virtues

The regular recitation of Ratib al-Attas is associated with the following benefits:

• Protection from harm, tribulation, and other forms of difficulty, by Allah’s permission.
• Protection for the places and communities in which it is regularly recited.
• Forgiveness of sins.
• An increase in sustenance and relief from financial hardship.
• Blessing and prolongation of one’s life.
• Abundant reward through the remembrance of Allah.
• The fulfilment of benefits according to the sincerity and nobility of one’s intention.
• Relief from fear and protection in times of danger.

Recommended Recitation

The following practices have been recommended for the recitation of Ratib al-Attas:

• For regular recitation: Recite daily, traditionally after the Isha prayer.
• During Ramadan: Recite before the Isha prayer.
• For difficulty, hardship, or a particular need: Recite once in the morning and once in the evening.
• For financial hardship and increased sustenance: Recite the Ratib regularly and complete it with the recitation of Lā ilāha illā Llāh.
• For protection from harm and tribulation: Maintain its regular recitation as a means of seeking Allah’s protection.
• For seeking Allah’s gentleness during difficulty: Regularly recite Yā Laṭīfan lam yazal, ulṭuf binā fī mā nazal. Innaka Laṭīfun lam tazal, ulṭuf binā wa-l-Muslimīn.