On Pride and Self-Admiration: A Study of Book 29 of the Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn

بسم الله الرحمن الرحي On Pride and Self-Admiration A Study of Book 29 of the Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn We are excited to announce our upcoming Weekend Retreat, which will be held on October 2-4, titled On Pride and Self-Admiration, a study of Book 29 of Imam al-Ghazali’s masterpiece Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din (Revival of the Religious Sciences). Pride (al kibr) and self-admiration (al ‘ujb) are related diseases of the heart, both of which are condemned many times in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Allah Ta’ala tells us: “Without a doubt, Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal. He certainly does not like those who are too proud.” [Qur’an 16:23] He Ta’ala also states: “…Surely those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, fully humbled.” [Qur’an 40:60] Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “He shall not enter paradise the one who has in his heart an equivalent of a mustard seed’s weight of pride… .” [Muslim] He ﷺ also said: “The folk of hell consist of all those who are intensely argumentative, amass wealth but do not spend it, and those who are proud.” [Bukhari and Muslim] Likewise, with respect to self-admiration, Allah Ta’ala states: “…even at the Battle of Hunain when you took pride in your great numbers, but they proved of no advantage to you… [Qur’an 9:25], and “…they thought their strongholds would put them out of Allah’s reach. But ‘the decree of’ Allah came upon them from where they never expected… .” [Qur’an 59:2] Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “When you see that avarice is being complied with, caprice being followed, and that everyone is impressed with his view, you should become occupied only with yourself.” [Abu Dawud and Ibn Maja] In Book 29, Imam al-Ghazali first focuses on pride, showing its condemnation in the Qur’an and Sunnah, its reality, including its inward and outward manifestations, its three degrees and seven causes, and the treatment of pride and acquiring humility. He then turns his attention to self-admiration, the root cause of pride, its condemnation, its essence, and the eight types of self-admiration and their treatment. We welcome you to join us in discovering the path to sincere humility in what we pray will be a transformative weekend filled with abundant blessings as we acquire sacred knowledge and spend time together in devotion, reflection, and spiritual growth. For more information and to register please visit www.almaqasid.org/weekendretreat

The registration cost covers meals and full access to all retreat programming (please see below for information regarding accommodations). The registration fees are as follows:

General Registration: $140 / person (General Registration is required for all guest ages 10+)
Student Registration (Adult): $110 / person (Note: Must be officially registered and show student I.D at check-in)
Saturday Only Registration: $85 / person (Saturday Only ticket is valid for Saturday only)

PLEASE NOTE: There is NO onsite registration available (No walk-ins).  All tickets must be acquired in advance online. If we are sold out in any category please feel free to join the waitlist. When tickets become available you will be notified based on order received.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

If you need any assistance covering the retreat fee please reach out to programs@almaqasid.org 

Child Care (Ages 3-5) = $75 / child
* Please note for child care (Ages 3-5) each child should be accompanied with a spare change of clothes as well as a set of diapers if not potty trained. Nursing children and children under 3 should be accompanied by their parents at all times.

Youth Program (Ages 6-9) = $75 / child
Childcare, children and youth program will be available Saturday & Sunday based on registration. Fees below include the entire weekend.

NOTE: Children 10+ must remain with their parent of guardian during the retreat. Children should not roam around the campus unattended (due to safety concerns). 

For those who are unable to attend in person or who prefer online, please register and select the online attendance option. It is free to attend online and a link will be sent out upon registration of the retreat. For any issues with the online link, please email us at programs@almaqasid.org

Continental Breakfast: (Sat & Sun)
Lunch: (Sat & Sun)
Dinner: (Fri, Sat)
Note: If you have any dietary restrictions please indicate this on your registration form.

Attendees should plan to arrive on the evening of Friday, October 2nd at 5:00 PM. Program ends Sunday, October 4th at 4:00pm. Please allow enough time to register and receive your name badge (15-20 mins).

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) - Distance 18.5 Miles (25 mins)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - Distance 88.1 Miles (1.25 hours)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) - Distance 64.5 Miles (1.5 hours)
John F. Kennedy International Airpot (JFK) - Distance 122 Miles (2.5 hours)

NOTE: We are not able to offer airport transport or onsite accommodations 

Unfortunately we are not able to offer on-site accommodations at this time. We recommend that you arrange lodging at one of the nearby hotels. Here is a short-list of local hotels in the area:
Homewood Suites Allentown-West/Fogelsville - Distance 4.6 miles
Fairfield Inn & Suites Allentown West - Distance 4.6 miles
Hyatt Place Allentown - Distance 4.8 miles
Wingate by Wyndham Allentown - Distance 5.6 miles

Note: Al-Maqasid is not affiliated with any of the above hotels and listing them here does not indicate an endorsement. 

https://www.almaqasid.org/directions (See maps below)

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