Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Just over a year ago, I made my first ever “impulse” buy; 2 return tickets to Fes. I remember thinking it would be a useful opportunity to reflect on life and decide what to do next. I had just been given approval from work for a sabbatical as I needed some time out to begin what has become the Centre for Islam and Medicine. The journey to Fes was a desire to explore a Muslim society to meet the men and women who had dedicated their lives to God. At the time, I had been reading biographies of the greats of the past and I had a great yearning to meet such people, if they still existed. Little did I realise how much the coming journey would have an impact on my life.
The following are a series of journal entries I kept at the time. As the journey became so personal, I kept them private for over a year as I wasn’t ready to share them. But as I return from my second visit to the blessed city, I feel it is important to share these with you all in the hope of restoring the jewel of fes back into the Muslim crown.
The entry below was the dua I wrote shortly before flying out, laying out my intentions. It’s commonly known that actions are by intentions, but it is only through experience to you realise the depths and value of these words. Allah would be so generous with us throughout the trip, as my friend reminded me;
The least you get is what you ask for
This would be our motto for the month long journey to sacred lands of Fes, Mecca & Madinah.
May Allah purify our intention, be pleased with our actions and forgive our shortcomings. Ameen
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Oh Allah, I seek nothing but You and that which guides me to You. I ask You to bring me to those who are close to You and write me amongst those who love You.
Oh Allah, my worship, trade, life and death are all for You, so guide me to that which pleases You and make me content with all that You have decreed.
Oh Allah, bless this journey and make it a means of finding You through the men who have found You. Guide me to that which pleases You through those men who please You. Make me from those who love You through those men You love.
Ameen
