Core Aspects

The Family Spiritual Retreat (FSR) has a number of core aspects (bolded in this section) centred around Prophetic rhythm.

At the heart of our program are the five daily prayers and the recitation of adkhar (plural of dhikr; remembrance of Allah) at blessed times. We also have moments to send salawat (peace, blessings and mercy) upon our Prophet Muhammad and honour his birth and life by reciting the Shimmering Lights Mawlid poem.

In addition, we carry out a communal completion of the Quran (khatam) and spiritual learning is gratefully received from our teachers Shaykh Amin Buxton and Sister Tayyiba Ahmed.

FSR gatherings always involve khidma (service) for the benefit of others as a form of worship to Allah.

FSR is entirely run by volunteers as an act of khidma to allow our costs to be as low as possible.

It is because of khidma we have been able to offer a diverse range of activities in past gatherings. They include outdoor activities such as walks, hikes, campside qasidas, star gazing and family nature sessions like exploring marine life. Males wrestling, yoga, judo and womens health were offered as wellbeing sessions.

Creative actiivities such as storytelling, daff workshops, candle dipping, clay crafts, felt making, weaving and calligraphy have only been possible as a result of the khidma of our past participants.

We understand that not everyone is able to lead an actvity (though please specify in your application if you can!) so we ask participants to help in khidma such as preparing healthy meals, serving or tidying up afterwards. Of course, everyone including our younger guests are expected to keep communal areas (even the firepit) tidy.

Communal acts of khidma often strengthen the bonds of another core aspect of FSR: companionship. Respect and kindness to one another enhances companionship and we ask everyone to look out for our younger guests.