By Nur Hazlinda D/O Haja Maideen

As someone who has traveled to many parts of the world for sightseeing, eating local delicacies, and engaging in exhilarating activities, going on spiritual retreats has opened a whole new realm of experience. It made me realize that all these times when I traveled, I was just feeding my desires, filling my stomach, and chasing worldly pleasures. Can I really say that I went bungee jumping for the sake of Allah? Hmmm…Through this spiritual retreat, I learned the beauty of traveling to restrain my desires and disconnect from worldly matters.

In the 1st week of July 2024, we had the profound experience of attending a spiritual retreat in Kuala Lumpur led by Ustaz Sameer, along with 28 other friends from our circle. The retreat was an enlightening journey, filled with numerous lessons and spiritual growth. Before we set off on our journey, we all had some time to formally refine our intentions. Traveling with the intention of seeking knowledge and spiritual growth brought a sense of purpose and dedication. It reminded us of the importance of setting out on journeys for the sake of Allah, as they offer opportunities for reflection, worship, and learning.

“The [the reward of] Salah, fasting and Dhikr in the path of Allah will be multiplied seven hundred times more than spending in the path of Allah.” – Sunan Abi Dawud

One of the key teachings from the retreat was the importance of controlling our nafs (desires). We were reminded to prevent excessive indulgence in eating, sleeping, chatting, using social media and so on. Instead, we were encouraged to increase our attentiveness to Allah through worship and the pursuit of knowledge. Of course this was not easy at all as KL is a food paradise for Muslims and as someone who is used to getting 7-8 hours of sleep daily, restraining them definitely requires A LOT of effort and a lot of encouragement from my fellow sisters and brothers. This allowed me to be more mindful of my actions and maintain a balance that fosters spiritual growth.

Zikr (remembrance of Allah) was a central practice throughout the retreat. Whether during the long bus rides or in the quiet moments before and after prayers, we engaged in various forms of zikr. This included reciting 1000 istighfar, tahlil, selawat and muraqabah to and from KL. We even sacrificed some of our sleep at night to continue our zikr after a long day of events, deepening our connection with Allah.

يٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيْرًا. وَسَبِّحُوْهُ بُكْرَةً وَّأَصِيْلًا

“Oh Believers, remember Allah often and glorify Him morning and evening” (33:41-42).

Our daily routine included reading specific surahs from the Quran along with wirids in the mornings and evenings. We recited Surah Yassin without fail in the morning, Surah Al-Mulk and Surah As-Sajdah at night, and Surah Al-Waqiyah. These readings not only enhanced our spiritual practice but were also a medium for me to incorporate it into my daily life, even after the retreat.

One of the most beautiful aspects of the retreat was praying almost all our prayers in congregation, including the Tahajjud prayers. The collective worship strengthened our bond as a community and amplified the spiritual energy of our gatherings. The retreat was also a rich source of knowledge. Ustaz Sameer, along with other esteemed teachers such as Sheikh Hafeez Sultan and even our friends Apple and Aalif, shared invaluable insights and teachings.

I particularly enjoyed Sheikh Hafeez Sultan’s Bayan (sharing), where he emphasized the fact that Allah has always and will always be the closest to us, and we should be putting him on the highest pedestal in our lives. Many of the sisters were brought to tears by his sharing despite him conducting it in Tamil, and Ustaz Sameer very eloquently translating it for us in English sentence after sentence. There were so many beautiful stories that the sheikh shared, but what struck me the most was the following,

“The heart of the mukmin (believer) is where the throne of Allah (s.w.t) is, if you have the love of Allah in your heart, can the fire of hellfire burn you?”.

It renewed my intentions to grow my love for our creator, who was so so kind to bless a sinner like me to be chosen to go on this spiritual retreat. What have I done to deserve His love and His mercy? SubhanAllah, Allah has blessed me with infinitely more than what I have ever asked for or dreamed of.

The retreat emphasized the importance of serving our fellow participants. We all welcomed the Malaysian participants wholeheartedly, ensuring they were well-fed and comfortable.

Our beloved Prophet ﷺ taught, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let them treat their guest generously.”

Through the participants, I also learnt how lucky we were to be able to seek knowledge so easily in Singapore regardless of our background. The Singapore Jemaah was incredibly kind as well, with everyone showering care and concern for one another. We shared smiles, helped each other carry things, and connected at a deeper, spiritual level through heartfelt stories and experiences.

On the last night, after having our riyadah dzikir until 4am, we got locked out of our rooms. Instead of getting frustrated, we sat outside laughing, turning it into a core memory of the retreat. That same night, the rain was so heavy after our event (the Rahmah of Allah ), that we all got soaked and the boys had to have a candlelight dinner at the mamak shop as the lights were out on one side. It was moments like these that made the experience so special and memorable.

On our last day, we dropped by Pulau Besar in Malacca on our way back to Singapore, where the maqam (shrine) of Sultan al-Ariffin (the son of Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani r.a) lies. Our visit to the maqam was a serene and peaceful experience. Despite having visited before, the tranquility of the place was ever-present. We read Surah Yassin, did some dzikir, and learnt the significance of visiting graves, especially the pious. We then had some delicious kambing curry there by the store owner’s generosity who provided free food and drinks for almost 30 of us, which was a humbling reminder of the kindness and humility of the people there.

Interestingly, we observed that many non-Muslims, also visited the maqam. It was fascinating to see them reading Al-Fatihah and the three Quls with the intention of seeking help from God, showcasing a unique blend of spiritual practices.

The company on this retreat made it truly enjoyable. With 28 participants ranging from little children to young adults, married couples, and older individuals, the diversity added richness to our experience. Despite our differences, everyone was cordial, and we shared wonderful conversations, laughter, and experiences. I even became good friends with some of the Malaysian participants, who offered to bring me around KL the next time I visit. Not going to lie, it felt really bittersweet when we all departed from one another after the trip.

In conclusion, the KL spiritual retreat was a transformative journey that deepened our faith, enriched our knowledge, and strengthened our bonds with one another. It was a reminder of the beauty of traveling for the sake of Allah, the importance of controlling our desires, and the power of communal worship and service. I hope that this is the start of many more spiritual retreats in the future. I would love for every one of you to enjoy the sweetness of a spiritual retreat like I did, at least once in your life. Hence, I would like to personally invite you guys to join us for our future retreats if you have the chance to do so insyaAllah. May Allah keep you in good health and imaan till then.

Assalamualaikum wr wb

Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings

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