PAST SAUNTERS

2023 – BEACHY HEAD: A SAUNTER TO THE SEVEN SISTERS

Our tenth annual walk took place along the chalky white cliffs of Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, East Sussex. A four-mile walk along the coast was broken up with short inspirational talks and reminders from CEI teachers. Against a back-drop of rugged natural beauty, a dars (lesson) of Qu’ran, prophetic traditions (ḥadīth), and relevant chapters from Imām al-Ḥaddād’s Book of Assistance to explore this theme in a meaningful way. taught in London Academy

RESISTING SPIRITUAL EROSION

The walk began at the rendezvous point, the telecom tower, going on towards the cliffside of Hastings and through Glen Woods, and finally onto East Hill, the end point. The walk, as expected, was both beautiful and challenging. The concept of this year’s promenade is to reflect on spiritual erosion as we walk along the dramatic 530 feet high cliffs of Beachy Head, while enjoying short reminders.Dinner of freshly made fish and chips, prepared by a local business, was served at the end point, before it was time to depart for home.

THE THEME: FORTITUDE

This year’s theme will be a saunter of fortitude, reflecting on the essential qualities believers should muster to weather the many storms eroding their lives. During the pitstop talks, we will use the Qu’ran, prophetic traditions (ḥadīth), and relevant chapters from Imām al-Ḥaddād’s Book of Assistance to explore this theme in a meaningful way.

The central topic for each stop will be based on Imām al-Ḥaddād’s Book of Assistance:

FIRST TALK: ON PATIENCE AND FORTITUDE

Chapter 28.

“The determination of the seeker of felicity is always in need of fortitude, sometimes to force the soul to follow the truth and sometimes to force it to avoid falsehood.”

This chapter explores five types of patience: perseverance, endurance, fortitude, forbearance, and renunciation.

SECOND TALK: POEM

There will be a short talk on the following poem by Charlotte Turner Smith.

Extract from ‘Beachy Head’:

(Beachy Head was the last poetic work of English Romantic Poet Charlotte Turner Smith, published in 1807. The poem imagines events at the coastal cliffs of Beachy Head from across England’s history, to meditate on what Smith saw as the modern corruption caused by commerce and nationalism).

THIRD TALK: ON GRATITUDE

Chapter 29.

“Faith has two halves: One is patience and the other gratitude.”

TEACHERS

- Sh Thaqib Mehmood
- Dr S Ashraf
- Dr Ibrahim Harvey
- Ustad Abdullah Colle
- Awais Rafique (Qur’an recitation)

LONDON SHORT COURSE:

Starts 13.01.25: Registration for the new 'Road to Ramadan 2025' short course is now open, click on London Short Course for full course details and to register.

Q-SYMPOSIUM:

starts 12.01.25: Registration for the new ‘Q-Symposium 2025’ day course is now open, click on for full course details. Click on register to join.

KID’S ACADEMY:

Registration for term 2, beginning on 11th January 2025, at Hazelwick School is open. Click on Kids’ Academy for full details and to register.

Q-CONNECT:

The Next Session is 14 January 2025. We will continue on Juzz Amma, focusing on Suras al-Qadr (Q. 97) and al-Bayyina (Q. 98). Registration for this online Zoom course is open.

Welcome:

Click on latest to see our latest announcements and follow us on social media.