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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
By Imam Hafiz Umar Bint Faatimah
The modern Muslim parent, with good intentions, often seeks to reward their children after a long academic year with a vacation. Sadly, what is often chosen are beaches, shopping malls, and entertainment resorts—destinations that, while relaxing, offer little nourishment for the soul or the identity of a young Muslim. Meanwhile, we are raising a generation that knows more about footballers and pop stars than they know about the giants of Islam—those whose shoulders we stand on today.
As Muslims living in the 21st century, we must ask ourselves a sincere and soul-searching question: What kind of legacy are we building for our children? And perhaps more urgently: What kind of heroes are we showing them?
A Forgotten Sunnah: Traveling for the Sake of Knowledge
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.”
— [Sahih Muslim]
This hadith alone is a profound reminder that travel in Islam was never about indulgence in dunya alone—it was a noble journey, often tied to seeking knowledge, visiting the righteous, or reflecting on the signs of Allah in the earth.
Islamic history is filled with examples of great scholars like Imam al-Bukhari, who traveled thousands of miles just to hear a single hadith. They did not travel for luxury; they traveled for legacy.
Imagine the impact of taking your children to:
- Makkah and Madinah, where the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ still echo in the stones.
- Al-Quds (Jerusalem), the first Qiblah, the land of the Prophets.
- Cairo, where the scholars of Al-Azhar preserved Islamic knowledge for centuries.
- Istanbul, where Ottoman khulafa built an empire based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.
- The graves of scholars like Imam Abu Hanifa in Baghdad, Imam Malik in Madinah, Imam Shafi’i in Cairo, and countless others whose sacrifices kept the flame of Islam alive.
What would happen if our children stood at these blessed sites, learned their stories, and felt the weight of their legacy? Their hearts would awaken. Their sense of purpose would be rekindled. They would know that true greatness lies not in a Hollywood walk of fame, but in walking the path of ilm, ibadah, and ikhlas.
Who Are Their Role Models?
In today’s world, children can name football stars, YouTubers, and actors with ease. But ask them about Khalid ibn al-Walid, Fatimah al-Fihri, Salahuddin al-Ayyubi, or Imam An-Nawawi—and you may be met with blank stares.
Whose fault is that?
It is ours—as parents, educators, and leaders.
We must redefine what a "holiday" means. Yes, take a break. Yes, enjoy halal leisure. But do not return from a vacation with nothing but sunburns and selfies. Return with iman, lessons, inspiration, and direction.
Building Identity Through Experience
Children learn not just from books, but from experiences. Take your son to see the masjid where Salahuddin once prayed. Take your daughter to see where Fatimah al-Fihri founded the world’s first university. Let them touch the stones, hear the stories, and breathe the same air. These are living classrooms—far more powerful than any lecture.
A holiday to an Islamic land is not just a trip; it is a declaration:
"We belong to a civilization of light. And you, my child, are its torchbearer."
From Beaches to Barakah
No one is saying that recreation is haram. Islam encourages rest and balance. But as parents, we must ask: What kind of rest brings barakah to my home? Is it the one that numbs the heart and fills the soul with heedlessness, or the one that connects us to our Creator and our heritage?
Vacations to Islamic lands bring barakah:
- They strengthen family bonds through shared spiritual experiences.
- They deepen love for the Ummah and its history.
- They plant the seeds of ilm and taqwa in young hearts.
A Call to Parents
Dear parents, this is not just about a holiday. This is about reclaiming our identity and rewriting the story our children are being told.
Let us revive the forgotten sunnah of traveling for the sake of knowledge, remembrance, and heritage. Let us raise a generation that looks up to Umar ibn al-Khattab more than any celebrity, and that longs to walk in the footsteps of the righteous more than any red carpet.
Before you book that next trip to a beach resort, ask yourself:
“What memories do I want to etch into my child's soul? What heroes do I want them to admire?”
May Allah grant us the wisdom to invest in our children’s hearts, not just their comfort. And may our holidays become journeys of transformation, not just relaxation.
Ameen.
Go backReviving Our Legacy: The Power of Holidays to Islamic Lands Over Beach Vacations
Published on June 28, 2025
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Excerpt
In a world where Muslim children are growing up idolizing entertainers and athletes, our vacations have become reflections of a growing identity crisis. This thought-provoking article calls on Muslim parents to rethink the concept of a “holiday”—shifting the focus from beaches and amusement parks to the sacred lands of our heritage. By visiting Islamic landmarks, historic masjids, and the graves of scholars, we don’t just create memories—we transmit legacy. With deep spiritual insight and cultural relevance, this blog invites families to travel the path of knowledge, connect their children to real Islamic heroes, and reignite love for a forgotten golden age of our Ummah.
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