Al-Hidayah 2005

Hundreds of young Muslims gathered together on the morning of the 29th of July in the beautiful surroundings of the Shropshire countryside to participate in the long-awaited "al-Hidayah" event. The theme of the camp was encapsulated in its title, al-Hidayah. In Surah al-Fatiha, the very first chapter of the Qur'an commands us to invoke "ihdinas-siratal-mustaqîm – guide us along the straight path." The Qur'an did not describe the "straight path" as being derived directly the Qur'an and Sunnah, but rather specifies, "The path of those whom You have favoured and blessed..." Guidance is therefore obtained by following in the footsteps of the righteous and blessed who have been described elsewhere as "the Prophets, the Truthful, the Witnesses (of Truth) and the Pious ones (possessing Allah's nearness) and they are the best of company (rafîqâ)!" (Surah Nisa 4:69) The three day camp, organised by Minhaj-ul-Qur'an UK , intended to give young Muslims an opportunity to sit in the blessed company of the great scholar and revivalist Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri.

During the three days, Shaykh-ul-Islam delivered lectures in English on subjects such as Tasawwuf (the science of self-purification), `Aqida (doctrines/beliefs) and to topics relating to the methodology and practical aspects of da`wa (communication of correct interpretations of Islam) in the West. In between the lectures, the youth were occupied by workshop activities while the evenings were filled with spiritual Dhikr and Nashid gatherings, nawafil (optional prayers) and tahajjud. 

One session was led by the famous Shaam group who attended solely for the purpose of singing in the presence of Shaykh-ul-Islam. They were occasionally joined by young students of Minhaj-ul-Qur'an and without the shadow of a doubt, their performance was exhilarating and highly appreciated by Shaykh-ul-Islam who invoked many prayers for them.  

The atmosphere in the Pioneer centre was purposefully spiritual and serene to enable the youth to relax, meditate and leave without any worldly distractions. Dr Irfan al-Alawi displayed an eye-opening slide show presentation which highlighted the plight of historic Islamic sites and relics that had been present in the Nobel Haram for over a thousand years. He stressed the importance of the Muslim Umma helping to preserve our Islamic heritage which is currently being removed by neglect or wilful destruction. 

The lectures of Shaykh-ul-Islam were intellectually outstanding and spiritually electrifying. A common theme that underlined the lectures was love, reverence and attachment to the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam). Among the many narrations he mentioned to illustrate the importance of having deep and extreme love for the Messenger of Allah (s) was from the "Shifa" of Qadi `Iyad, in which a man was awarded punishment for consuming alcohol on two occasions. One of those present with the Holy Prophet (s) cursed him. The Holy Messenger (s) then stated: "Do not curse him, for verily he loves Allah and the Messenger of Allah!"