Abdallah ibn Alawi al-Haddad Abdullah ibn Alawi al-Haddad was born in Yemen in 1044 AH (1634 CE). He studied with many scholars in Hadramawt, including his father “Alawi bin Muhammad al-Haddad”. His life was devoted to teaching and writing. Imam al-Haddad began to teach shortly after he entered khalwa (seclusion). Among the books he taught was “Awaarif al-Ma’arif “ which is a classical work in tasawwuf (inner dimensions of Islam) by “Abu Hafs Umar al-Suhrawardi”. He did this for approximately 11 years until 1072 A.H. (1661 C.E.). He authored several books in the area of Sufism as well as books of dhikr such as the Ratib al-Haddad and Wird al-Lateef. In spite of being a major source of reference among the Sunni Muslims (especially among Sufis), only recently have his books began to receive attention and publication in the English-speaking world. Their appeal lies in the concise way in which the essential pillars of Islamic belief, practice, and spirituality have been streamlined and explained efficiently enough for the modern reader. Imam al-Haddad died in his home in al-Hawi, Tarim on Monday night 7th or 8th Dhu al-Qi'dah, 1132 AH (1720 C.E.) and buried at Zanbal cemetery in Tarim.