Islamic Retreat
ROOTS RETREAT 2024
Signs from Allah
Roots Academy invites you to join our third annual retreat in Shropshire, where we will delve into the world of bee’s as we journey through Surah An-Nahl.
The retreat offers spiritual boosters, activities, and workshops aimed at exploring the 16th Surah of the Qur’an and reflecting on its meanings, whilst immersing ourselves in nature to reflect on Allah’s creation.
Open to both brothers and sisters, this transformative experience will provide a nurturing environment for spiritual refreshment, safety, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on a journey of enlightenment, growth, and a stronger connection with Allah at Roots Academy.
Tickets
Location
- We’ll be staying in a beautiful manor in the heart of Shropshire, on the banks of the River Severn with scenic views into Wales.
- Field Studies Council Preston Montford is set within a 12-hectare estate that includes diverse habitats such as semi-ancient woodland, ponds, wildflower meadows, and an ancient orchard.
- The estate also features grazed fields with hedges, 18th-century trees, and a bee hotel, providing a perfect, serene environment for our retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The retreat starts at 5pm on Friday 2nd August 2024 and will finish by 4pm on Sunday 4th August 2024
Yes, refunds are open until 21st July 2024.
After that please get in touch if you’d like to switch tickets with someone. Please email info@rootsacademy.co.uk with your full name and order details to do so.
If this is before the general refund date of 21st July 2024, please use the refund form on the ticketing site to request a refund. Past this date, you can request a name switch for the ticket by getting in touch with us.
- The rooms are single-gender shared rooms of varying sizes.
- We will accommodate, to the best of our ability, parties wishing to share rooms. Room assignment will be done on the first night of the retreat and preferences accounted for where possible. Please note that we regrettably cannot offer any guarantees due to accommodation limitations.
- Partner / spouse / family rooms are extremely limited and thus are not generally advertised for. Please get in touch with Team Roots at info@rootsacademy.co.uk to enquire on spaces for family rooms, including your requirements in the email.
This year there is only one type of ticket: the full ticket for the 3 days and 2 nights.
Yes, a detailed itinerary will be provided on the first night and first day of the retreat to all attendees.
For those travelling by car, there is plenty of parking available. For those travelling by public transport, we will be arranging a collection from Shrewsbury Train Station at 5pm on Friday 2nd August. Please ensure you arrive before 5pm and are waiting outside the front of the station where one of our team will be present to guide you. Note that we may not be able to accommodate those who arrive late due to scheduling. Similarly on Sunday 4th August, attendees will be dropped to Shrewsbury station by 5pm.
ROOTS RETREAT 2024
Additional Information
What’s the relevance of this Surah?
We live in a world that is divorced from Allah’s creation and stuck to their devices. This surah points out subtle signs in nature, from bees, to cattle, to social dynamics. It forces us to pay attention to the masterpiece of God’s creation, His signs that lie before our very eyes, the key highlight being the little buzzing bees that we pay no attention to, a creation Allah has inspired.
How will you learn?
- Quranic storytelling: Reciting verses, reflecting on the themes, and splitting into groups to extract key lessons
- Experiential (going out in nature!)
- Bee workshop to understand the world of the bees
- Hiking expeditions to observe and tune-in to Allah’s creation
Itinerary
- Friday evening: A brief overview and explanation of Surah al-Nahl
- Saturday: Workshops, hike and activities
- Sunday: Reflections, and action plans for the future
Activities
- Bee-keeping lesson
- Hikes in nature
- Recitation
- Qiyam
What will you take away?
- You’ll get a deeper insight into one of Allah’s creation – the bees – and how they carry a multitude of lessons for us
- You’ll practise and enjoy spending time in Allah’s creation and observing it closely (tafakkur)
- You’ll have non-screen time from 9am until 6pm every day, forcing you to disconnect and unwind
- You’ll learn the tools to reflect and spend time with one surah of the Quran and live it’s meanings, and be able to continue this after the retreat is over
- You’ll perform congregational prayer, morning & evening remembrance of Allah, and tahajjud, leaving you with some practices to continue afterwards
Speakers
- Ustadh Hisham Abu Yusuf is completing his BA in Islamic Studies at Al Azhar University in Egypt. Prior to this, he spent some years studying Arabic and the Islamic sciences traditionally in the UAE. He was the Muslim Chaplain at University of Nottingham and is the Academic Director for Roots Academy, an organisation that delivers structured essential Islamic education to university students on 25 campuses in the UK and Canada.
- Ustadh Mohammad al-Kayani has studied the Quran, as well as Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Shafi Fiqh and books such as Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah with teachers. He has been a Khateeb for the past 7 years and has taught classes and a series of Islamic topics at various masaajid and ISocs.