He is Qutb ul Irshad (Pole of spiritual guidance)

The author of this treatise (Adab Suluk al-Murid) is the famous Imam, the Shaykh of Islam, the foremost of the people of unification, the noble descendant of the Prophet, Allah's blessings and peace be upon him, and of the Imam Alhussein, may Allah be pleased with him, the Shaykh AbdAllah ibn Alawi Alhaddad Alalawi, may Allah reward him for us with the best rewards He gives those of His people who guide to Him.

He was born in Tarim, in Hadramaut (South Yemen), on the night of 5th Safar of the year 1044 of the hijrah. He grew up in an enlightened environment, was taught originally by his father, and was never seen to show recklessness of other children. He gathered as he grew up the best of knowledge and spirituality, and became outstanding in knowledge, guidance, calling people to Allah, and being a Shaykh in the most perfect sense of the word. He was given the title 'Qutb ulirshad' (pole of guidance) by the greatest of the people of knowledge in his time and thereafter until today.

Some have said that there are three ranks in calling to Allah, according to whether it was done by pen, tongue, or foot (travelling). All three were combined to perfection in the Imam Alhaddad, may Allah shower His mercy on him. His books are still in print in Egypt, India, Hijaz, Istanbul, and Java. His fame spread throughout the Muslim world and his writings which were clearly based on the Qur'an and Sunna were never criticized nor thought to be controversial.

He died on the night of the seventh of Dhul-Qi'da of the year 1132 of the hijra, and was buried in a simple grave in Tarim. May Allah show mercy on him and reward him abundantly, Ameen.

By: Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi, Madina.

Source: Imam Abdallah bin Alawi al-Haddad, "Introduction" to The Book of The Mourid, translated by Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi, n.p., n.d.