Spiritual sessions and moments of 'Ibādah

• Communal recitation of Şalāt al-Mashīshiyya and khatm of Du'ā al-Nāsirī and Qasīda al-Munfarija

• Evening of Dhikr and listening to the Noble Qur'an and traditional Qasā'id

In-depth learning and training session

• Lesson: analysis of the concept of Dayq (constriction), the spiritual paths to overcome it, and the fundamental role of Islam in liberation from illusions and anguish

• Special guest: Shaykh Ali Al-'Iraqi, an authoritative 'Ālim coming from Morocco

Experiential activities and community life

• Trekking and outdoor activities: nature walks alternating with guided moments of Tafakkur (contemplation)

• Archery and target shooting

• Group sports activities

• Fellowship: moments of conviviality and suhba

The retreat program

Shaykh Ali Al-‘Iraqi

He is Ali ibn Abdulhaq Al-‘Iraqi al-Husaini. Born in Malaga (Spain) in 1965 and brought up in Tangier (Morocco).

He holds a degree (Ijaza) in Sahri’a and Usul ad-Din by the European Faculty of Islamic Sciences (France). He has studied Islamic Sciences in the traditional way with various ‘ulama like Sheykh Muhammad Al Kassbi (Morocco), Sidi ‘Abd as-Salam Afkir (Morocco), Sheykh Muhammad an-Naifar (Tunisia), Sheykh Muhammad al-Lakhwa (Tunisia), Sidi Muhammad al-Wazzani (Morocco), holding ijazat from some of them.

He has translated into Spanish and commented the Risala of Ibn Abi Zaid al-Qairawani, the Hikam of Ibn ‘Ataillah, the Ajurrumiya of Ibn Ajurrum, the Dala’il al-Khairat of Al-Jazuli, the Burda of Al-Busayri. He is also the author of The Practical Guidebook (a commentary on the Al-Murshid al-Mu’in of Ibn ‘Ashir), ‘Aqida–Two treatises on Muslim Creed, A commentary on Surat al-Fatiha, An Introduction to the Science of Tasawwuf, A Treatise on Islamic Governance and a number of other works.

Under the guidance of Shaykh Abdulqadir as-Sufi, he has lived and taught in South Africa, Spain, the USA and the United Kingdom. He has been Imam Khatib in Newark NJ (USA), Madrid (Spain), the Jami’a Mosque of Cape Town (South Africa) and lecturer in Islamic Studies there at the Dallas College. He has been Imam Khatib at the Ihsan Mosque in Norwich where he taught Tafsir, Ash’ari Aqida and Maliki fiqh.

He currently holds the position of Main Teacher and Adviser of The Meem Institute, an institution established in Leicester in 2011 in order to transmit the three aspects of the Deen, Islam, Iman and Ihsan. He presently runs a weekly circle of Dhikr of Fridays where he imparts the teachings of the Qadiriya-Shadhiliya-Darqawiya tariqa.

Shaykh Ali Al-‘Iraqi

The Location

Rifugio Valnera is a charming place, hidden among woods of oaks, chestnuts, and broom, renowned for its spring of pure, crystal-clear water. An authentic and unassuming place, perfect for those seeking simplicity, silence, and genuine relationships. It is located in the province of Florence, right at the gateway to Romagna, easily accessible by any means of transport.

For those who wish, and especially for those coming from far away, it is possible to arrive early on Friday evening and stay overnight at the venue, with a supplement of €17 per person. It will be a precious opportunity to get to know one another and share a moment of suhba together, before the event gets fully underway the following morning.

How to get there
Coordinates: 44°06'40.0"N 11°37'46.0"E

By car:
Take the Faenza motorway exit, then continue on the SS 302 towards Firenze until you reach San Martino in Gattara, where you'll find the turn-off for Rifugio Valnera.

By train:
Ravenna–Firenze line, San Martino in Gattara stop.

What to expect

Rifugio Valnera is a facility with dormitory-style rooms fitted with bunk beds: it is not a hotel. Rooms accommodate between 2 and 10 people; men and women will be separated in their respective sleeping areas, spread across two different floors of the building.

There is also the option to stay in a tent or camper van: your preference should then be specified in the registration form.

There is no cell phone signal or data connection, but Wi-Fi is available inside the building.

The road to get there by car is paved and easily accessible; only the final 500-meter stretch, leading to the parking area, is unpaved.

Who can participate

There is no age limit: children and minors are welcome.

• From 18 years old (inclusive) and up: €69 fee

• From 17 to 6 years old (inclusive): €35 fee

• From 5 to 3 years old (inclusive): €15 fee

• Under 3 years old: FREE participation

All minors must be accompanied by an adult guardian, who assumes full responsibility for them throughout the event.

What's included in the price

• Meals and accommodation

• The digital book containing the Qasīda al-Munfarija, the Du'ā al-Nāsirī, and the Qasīda al-Burda, with Arabic text and transliteration

• Durus, recitation, and activities

Our Rules

During group activities, it is important to maintain modesty between men and women and to respect the separate spaces. All Islamic principles of good conduct are to be considered mandatory.

The use and consumption of any form of alcohol and drugs is prohibited. In general, no haram behavior will be tolerated.

We will be immersed in nature: respecting the environment that hosts us is essential. Recycling is mandatory, as is not littering. It will be important to keep the facility clean, especially the bathrooms and common areas such as the Musallah, the kitchen, and the shared rooms.

Khatm of the Du'ā al-Nāsirī and the Qasīda al-Munfarija

Durus, Dhikr, Qur'an, and traditional Qasā'id

Trekking, archery, target shooting, and sports activities

Contatti

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