Updated 18 February 2014

I applied for the mentoring position for Madinah and Bab in 2012; unfortunately, I was rejected due to my lack of experience in working with the youth in a KSI community setting. However, I had an unwavering commitment to study and support individuals who want to tread the path of Islam. I had to find a way to increase my experience so that I could enter into this unique programme as a mentor. I began searching for opportunities across London in order to teach at Islamic institutions, and found my opportunity with Stanmore Jamaat’s Sunday SI Madressa. I discovered that teaching basic Islamic studies became a means to inner tranquillity of the self.

This experience and dedication to the cause of Islam was the cause for my success in becoming a mentor at this programme in 2013 and alhumdulillah I was successful.

Qum is the centre of not only Islamic studies but also has a spiritual ethos; that allowed our group to form into one spiritual entity that aimed to unite, learn and enjoy. Within a matter of time the group became a caravan of spirituality, knowledge and development with a hint of fun through our activities outside of studying. Furthermore, the time we spent at Jamiat al-Zahra was one of the most memorable times I have ever had; we were not just the guests of Bibi Masooma-e Qum (sa) and Imam Ridha (as) but also Lady Fatima Al-Zahra (a). 

We met a number of esteemed scholars that aided us on our journey. They say that looking at a scholar is a form of worship and there is no doubt for just seeing them gave everyone a spiritual uplift. We had an extreme thirst to drink from the fountain of knowledge. This was the main reason the group was sad upon leaving the scholars in this wise city behind.

Indeed, we all left many memoirs at the place we stayed, but our hearts have interlinked and we have bonded through the Ahlul Bayt (a). One of the most important lessons we learnt was to be phenomenal in everything we do or we shall be forgotten. The Ahlul Bayt (a) and have left the greatest legacy and I pray we all can leave behind a legacy that will earn us reward even after our deaths, Insh’Allah.

In the short amount of time that we spent, all the sisters became very close. Parting from each other was very difficult, with the majority of the sisters left in tears. The reason for this was the amazing company, extraordinary classes, inspiring discussions and no doubt the blessings of the holy ones. Though this amazing journey has come to an end, each one of us left a piece of our heart with Imam Ridha (a) and Lady Masooma-e Qum (a).

By Arrouge Naqvi of Manchester