Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of reason (‘ulul albab).
˹They are˺ those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth ˹and pray˺, “Our Lord! You have not created ˹all of˺ this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire.
– Quran Chapter Ali-Imran verse 190-191.
“To remember Allah, to contemplate, for an hour is better than praying all night.” – Abu Darda r.a.
Introduction
Light of Ilm Retreat is a deeply enriching 3-day, 2-night spiritual journey designed to nurture the heart, enlighten the intellect, and rejuvenate the soul.
Organized under our flagship retreat brand, Light of Ilm, this session is titled “Sacred Reflections”—an immersive program aimed at weaving together the wisdom of Islamic psychology, Qur’anic contemplation, and Prophetic traditions for meaningful inner transformation.
Retreat Concept
The Light of Ilm Retreat: Sacred Reflections is a curated spiritual experience designed to offer in-depth learning, quiet reflection, and community bonding in an intimate and luxurious natural setting.
Participants explore key teachings on spiritual contemplation, the psychology of the self, and Islamic mental wellness, guided by internationally respected scholars.
Rooted in the Islamic tradition, the retreat addresses the growing need for holistic well-being among Muslims by combining classical knowledge with accessible, practical tools for contemporary life.
This retreat aims to create an intentional space for healing, inner reflection, and transformative dialogue.
Event Speaker
Dr. Rania Awaad
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry – Stanford University
Pioneer of Muslim Mental Health Care in the United States
Dr. Rania Awaad is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she directs the Stanford Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab and serves as Affiliate Chaplain. She is Executive Director of Maristan, a holistic mental health nonprofit serving Muslim communities, and has established multiple Muslim mental health clinics nationwide. A nationally recognized speaker, researcher, and award-winning teacher in both Islamic and medical sciences, Dr. Awaad has developed specialized training programs for clinicians and community leaders.
In this retreat, she explored Islamic psychology concepts, the Qur’anic principle of Ulul Albab (people of deep reflection), and practical ways to integrate Allah’s Names and Attributes into daily life for enhanced spiritual and emotional well-being.
Sheikh Rami Nsour
Co-Founder of Tayba Foundation
Sheikh Rami Nsour is a scholar, counselor, and Islamic teacher who spent over 10 years in the Mauritanian traditional systems of Islamic education, receiving ijazah (licensure) to teach Islamic sciences. He co-founded the Tayba Foundation, the first U.S. organization offering distance-learning Islamic education to incarcerated individuals, and specializes in curriculum development with expertise in akhlaq (Islamic character). He holds degrees in Human Development and Educational Psychology, combining traditional Islamic scholarship with modern educational approaches.
In this retreat, Sheikh Rami led discussions on the “Al-Wahn” hadith about spiritual weakness and love of dunya, plus morning and evening tazkirah (remembrance) sessions.
Ayesha Syahirah
Author | Du’a Mentor | Certified Coach & Trainer
Ayesha Syahirah is a bestselling Malaysian author and certified coach who bridges faith, mindset, and healing through her work rooted in the Quran and Sunnah.
She has written seven impactful books with over 100,000 copies sold and teaches classes that nurture spiritual clarity, emotional resilience, and purposeful living. Currently a student of Saut Al-Qur’an, her mission is to guide hearts back to Allah with sincerity, humility, and hope.
At this retreat, Ayesha led a Tadabbur Qur’an session reflecting on Surah At-Tin, exploring our divine potential and living in alignment with Allah’s plan.
“My job is not to fix you. My job is to bring you back to the One who heals.”
Highlights
