“Words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within”
Lord Tennyson
After the successful debut of the Khatam on the Coast in Eastbourne in 2012, the Isle of Wight was geared up to take the khutam experience to new heights, and it did just that. With the luscious and truly splendid views of the Needles as a back-drop, along with the picturesque coastal scenery, this island saunter truly lived up to expectations.
The Route
The journey began at Portsmouth docks with a ferry trip to the Isle of Wight. Once on the island, the walk got underway starting at the Needles Park. From there walkers moved towards Alum Bay and on to Tennyson Monument, which marks the highest point of the chalk cliffs of West Wight at 482ft above sea-level. The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson lived in the area in the 1870’s and was known to walk daily on the downs, composing his works. The granite cross was erected in his memory in 1897.
Tennyson Down. CC: Mark Hogan via Flickr
After a long day of walking, cod and chips provided participants with a true English coastal dinner! On the following day, the group took part in activities including horse riding and archery, and made a final stop at the Needles, before it was time to head back home.
Theme for walk: Reflections from Q3.190-200
‘There truly are signs in the creation of the heavens and earth, and in the alternation of night and day, for those with understanding’” Q 3.190
Along the way, walkers stopped to recite Qur’an and sing nasheeds, as well as hear short Islamic talks and reminders by our resident teachers. The programme included the Khatam (completion and supplication) of the Forty Hadith of Imam Nawawi course as well as a reflection upon the meanings found in the last 10 verses of Surah al-Imran (Q3.190 -200). These verses mention the creation of the heavens and the earth, dhikr (remembrance of God), resurrection, Heaven and Hell, the People of the Book, taqwa (God consciousness) and patience, amongst other topics.
It was the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) tradition to recite these ten verses when he woke at night for prayer. Al-Bukhari records that Ibn `Abbas said:
“I slept one night at the house of my aunt, Maymunah. The Messenger of Allah (S) spoke with his wife for a while and then went to sleep. When it was the third part of the night, he stood up, looked at the sky and recited, ‘Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding’, Q3. 190. The Prophet then stood up, performed ablution, used Siwak (to clean his teeth) and prayed eleven units of prayer. When Bilal said the Adhan, the Prophet prayed two units of prayer, went out (to the Masjid) and led the people in the Dawn prayer.”
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