The Zawiya

 Sheikh Muhammad ibn al-Habib, may Allah sanctify his secret, sold the property he inherited from his father in Fes to establish the blessed Zawiya (around 1937) an enduring sanctuary dedicated to prayer, knowledge, hospitality, and service. From its earliest days, the Zawiya became a home for students of knowledge and fuqara who had no family or means, and the Sheikh personally ensured that they were fed, supported, and given a place to live. Travelers from every background were welcomed without condition. Sheikh Muhammad ibn al-Habib never asked anyone who stayed there to join the Tariqa or take a litany, only that the five prayers be performed in their proper times, in congregation.

It is said that once a student arrived late for Fajr. After the prayer, the Sheikh went to his door and gently told him, “My son, I would sell the shirt off my back to help you complete your studies, but I cannot excuse being late for the Prayer—especially from a seeker of sacred knowledge.”

The Zawiya functioned as a complete center of worship and learning. The fuqara would rise before dawn for tahajjud, followed by dhikr, Fajr, the recitation of the Noble Wird, and the morning lesson of the Sheikh. The rest of the day was spent in study, work, and service. Weekly gatherings filled the Zawiya with Qur’an, qasā’id, dhikr, and teachings described by scholars as unmatched in insight—so much so that many called Sheikh Muhammad ibn al-Habib “the seal of the Qur'anic commentators of his age.”

Every year the Zawiya also hosted the Mawlid, gathering fuqara from Morocco, Algeria, Spain, England, and beyond. The night was filled with Qur'an, poetry, the Sirah, dhikr, and deep lessons, closing with a heartfelt dua from the Sheikh.

Today, the Zawiya of Sheikh Muhammad ibn al-Habib continues to fulfill its original purpose with the same spirit of generosity and service. It remains:

• A place where travelers and seekers are welcomed, given a place to stay, food, and companionship.
• A center of Qur’an and traditional learning, serving both local students and visiting scholars.
• A hub of daily and weekly dhikr, continuing the living tradition of the Habibiya path.
• A pillar of humanitarian service, regularly distributing food, essentials, and financial assistance to the poor and vulnerable.
• A site of immense barakah, as it contains the final resting place of Sheikh Muhammad ibn al-Habib, alongside his noble wife, Hajjah Zuleikha—may Allah be pleased with them both.
   

Nearly a century after its founding, the Zawiya remains a living testament to the Sheikh’s vision: a house of Allah open to all, where worship, knowledge, hospitality, and service come together in one blessed space.