Al-Hidayah 2006

Al Hidayah 2006

Al-Hidayah 2006 took place in the stunning Heythrop Park Hotel Golf and Country Club situated in Oxfordshire.

Before the start of his first lecture, Shaykh-ul-Islam took some time out to welcome the scholars and participants to Al-Hidayah 2006. He then congratulated the Al-Hidayah team for the organisation and management of the event.

In this groundbreaking series of lectures, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri focussed on Imam Bukhari, his life, travels and Aqida. Shaykh-ul-Islam gave a dazzling portrayal of some aspects of the extraordinary life of Imam Bukhari to enable the Muslims to appreciate the Imam’s remarkable personality and illustrious works. Additionally, Shaykh-ul-Islam demonstrated that Imam Bukhari has various links with the great Imam Abu Hanifa.

In his next lecture, Shaykh-ul-Islam concentrated on the Aqida (Belief) of Imam Bukhari. In this awe inspiring discourse Shaykh-ul-Islam discussed issues untouched by scholars for many centuries. He illustrated Imam Bukhari’s deep love and affection for the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wassallam) and linked this with the compilation of Sahih al-Bukhari.

Continuing with the theme of Aqida, Shaykh-ul-Islam took the audience on a unique and inspirational journey through the spiritual aspects of the human personality with reference to relevant Ahadith from Sahih al-Bukhari. As well as leaving the audience enlightened, the lecture provided practical advice for young Muslims living in the West. Shaykh-ul-Islam ended the lecture with an appeal to the participants to repent to Allah. His emotional plea was met by the audience who were stood in tears supplicating to Allah to forgive their sins. This emotional spectacle was phenomenal as everyone, men and women, young and old were weeping in the presence of their Lord.

In his final lecture of the series, Shaykh-ul-Islam gave a detailed discourse on Imam Bukhari’s view regarding the level of knowledge and gnosis of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wassallam). Shaykh-ul-Islam selected a number of essential Ahadith, illustrating the opinion of Imam Bukhari. While providing a fascinating insight into this subject, he also dismissed many of the prevalent misconceptions associated with this matter.

The highlight of this four day retreat was the astounding conversion of a young man, who had attended Al-Hidayah for the first time. He approached Shaykh-ul-Islam immediately after the lecture and wanted to accept Islam as his religion. Shaykh-ul-Islam briefly presented the basic principles of Islam to him and thereafter continued with declaring the Shahada for him to repeat.

Shaykh-ul-Islam gave the participants an opportunity to pose any question in an exclusive question and answer session which took place in the concluding part of the event.

In addition to Shaykh-ul-Islam’s lectures the participants also gained benefit from the lectures of the great scholar and Muhaddith of Syria, Shaykh Assad Muhammad Saeed as-Sagharji.

Awakening the hearts and enlightening the souls, exquisite recitals of the Holy Quran were performed throughout the entire event. Nashids in Arabic English and Urdu were an on-going feature of this retreat. The attendees were involved in a special night dedicated to the Hadara Dhikr as practiced by the Muslims of the Middle-East. Daily Tahjjud prayers and after Fajr study circles were also held for those wishing to participate.

Breaks were provided during lectures for Salah and meals. In addition to this times were allocated for participants to take part in sporting activities and to make use of on-site leisure facilities including the gym and swimming pool.

The four days were concluded with an inspirational, heart-rending dua made by Shaykh-ul-Islam, the poignancy of which caused the audience, young and old, male and female, to break out in to tears.

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