life lessons | RABATA

Education Begets Transformation: A Look into the Ribaat Immersion Retreat Experience

The Ribaat Immersion Retreat is more than just a course; it is an experience that embodies the entire spirit of the Ribaat Academic Institute. Every year, it brings together women from diverse backgrounds, ages, cultures, and countries to engage in a shared journey of learning, spiritual growth, worship, and sisterhood. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of community, knowledge, and spiritual renewal, all of which are central to Ribaat’s mission. The retreat creates a space where women can build lifelong friendships and support networks, and many attendees leave with spiritual rejuvenation, and a renewed sense of sisterhood and community.

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Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: His Enduring Relevance in Our World

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A few years ago, a friend of mine shared an interesting realization with me. Faced with different challenges throughout her life, she was walking home from work, hiding all the disappointments her tired face was showing in the darkness of the Sarajevo night. “I felt as if all my hopes lost hope and disappeared,” she shared, smiling. Surrendering slowly to the gloominess of her heart, she looked at the lights of a billboard in front of her and saw these words:

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The Virtue of Surat Al-Baqara

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Friendship is beautiful, powerful, and sought after in life by many. It comes with comfort, companionship, loyalty, love, and support; providing space for the heart to be heard, and the soul to be uplifted. It is a relationship that develops and grows over time, increasing in connection and understanding, and bringing with it blessings and

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Student of the Month – April

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In the vibrant mosaic of the Ribaat Academic Program, the journey of each student adds unique shades and patterns, enriching our collective narrative. This month, we are thrilled to spotlight Fara Rasiman, April’s Student of the Month, whose life story is a testament to the beauty of diversity, the pursuit of knowledge, and an unwavering dedication to community service. Hailing from the culturally rich and humid landscapes of Malaysia, Fara’s multicultural background has shaped her into a true global citizen. Her career has spanned various sectors, including startups, tech, sustainable energy, and nonprofits, touching lives across the Asia-Pacific, European, and North American markets.

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Student of the Month – March

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Meet our Student of the Month, Saskia Eddarkaoui, a German convert to Islam, living her enriching journey alongside her Moroccan husband and their four children, aged between 3 and 11 years. Saskia has woven her life around faith, family, and the fervent desire to contribute to her community. Despite the absence of a robust Muslim community in her locality, her spirit remained unshaken, fueled by prayers for positive change, she resolved to still provide the right environment for her family and children.

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The Importance of Istighfar

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As-salāmu ʿalaykum ladies, we need to reflect on why Prophet Muhammad ﷺ needed to make isitighfar. A Prophet doesn’t sin. That would be against the nature of the Divine message. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that we should do istighfar and that this practice of his was for us. Had he not mentioned to

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Write with Allah as your Audience

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In 2009, NPR put out a call for essays. They wanted to know more about Muslim identity in America. What could I possibly write about? I went from being a working professional in the pursuit of a dentistry career to taking care of a preschooler, toddler, and two aging parents. That was who I was

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What is in a year?

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One year ago today, you were hooked up to a dialysis machine. It was the last thing to try to keep you here. Within a few hours of it starting, I began to accept that we were going to lose you. You should have stabilized then, but I watched your numbers slowly decline. It made

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Student of the Month – November

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In the throes of world-wide isolation, Dr. Aaisha Vawda felt this separation more poignantly as she migrated across the Atlantic, from South Africa to Canada. The loss of family, friends, and familiarity left the introverted Aaisha in search of something more, but still hesitant to venture out into her new community. After a few months, her mother, recognizing her loneliness, shared the Rabata instagram page with Aaisha, encouraging her to explore the organization. Dr. Aaisha obliged and soon found her spiritual and emotional lifeline, a family away from family, a much needed space.

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Back to Writing

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To my dismay, I didn’t have another ready-made story idea burning a hole in my pocket. And when I thought of a few (really good ones, actually), a malicious voice always overrode my enthusiasm: This idea requires too much research… That one has a good premise but where would it go from there? And worst of all, You did it once, but you know you can’t do it again. The voice paralyzed me for years.

Then I remembered my red spiral notebook.

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