Ta'if

Sh. Abdel Hadi Honerkamp,Sh. Abdullah Al-Kadi

Photo by Nabil Turner

Students began the second portion of the Rihla trip which serves as the main educational segment. Classes take place in Ta'if, 60 miles southeast of Makkah. Ta'if is often called the garden of hijaz because of its agricultural history, pleasant climate, and the honey and grapes it produces. It is home of Bani Thaqif, an important tribe in Islamic history.

The course load is intense and schedule is comprised almost solely of class-time. Students arrived on the buses shortly after performing Umra's and private worship at the house of Allah in Makkah al Mukarramah. They were welcomed by Rihla organizer Aisha Subhani who talked about the deen intensive program, its purpose, and the importance of bringing students to the most sacred places in the world where they are in the best environment to learn. The students were addressed by Shaykh Abdel Hadi Honerkamp, a graduate of the Karaouine University of Fes, Morocco and a professor of modern standard Arabic and in-depth Arabic textual study at the University of Georgia, Athens. Shaykh Abdel Hadi spoke of performing Umra as an opening of the heart. He explained that the heart faces the Ka'aba and as we make tawwaf the Ka'aba illuminates our hearts. That light reflects in our actions and serves as an opening for spiritual learning.

One student reflects on her experience:

"I'm not sure what one can say about the blessed experience of visiting the Holy Mosque, especially to those who have not had that pleasure. It's like describing honey to someone who hasn’t tasted anything sweet before. Nonetheless, it’s a magical, spiritual, uplifting, un-earthly experience that pacifies ones spirit and leaves it in a complete state of awe.My stay at Ta’if thus far has also been a magnificent one. I’m overwhelmed by the presence of these scholars that have an endless ocean of knowledge- they’re just amazing people! Their presence is a source of tranquility to the heart because they address issues concerning the heart. Just being around these scholars and having this extreme amount of information readily available to us is such a rare opportunity and a great blessing Alhamdulila. I have always had a passion for seerah but I would have never imagined to be a pupil of some of the most renowned scholars of our time."

Nouran Ali, New Jersey