By MYNA Staff

Nov/Dec 2023

The Prophet salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “There lies within the body a piece of flesh. If it is sound, the whole body is sound; and if it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted. Verily this piece is the heart.” (Al-Bukhari, 52 and Muslim, 1599).

The Prophet Ibrahim, alaihi salaam,  prays in the Qur’an, “…Oh Allah, do not allow me to be put to shame, on the day when all will be brought forth, on the day when nothing will avail anyone from money or children except he who comes to God with a sound heart (that is saleem). (26:87–9).”

What can give you power to stay grounded as you move through the challenges of life? 

What is the thing that can keep you in a state of gratitude? 

How can you adopt and maintain a zoomed out perspective that allows for reflection without emotions clouding your rational thoughts?

It is a sound heart. Al-qalb al-saleem. A sound heart is free from any blemish, illness, or issue. It recognizes life for what it is: a test for the believer, a place to worship and to practice patience while the promise of happiness awaits in the hereafter. But while many of us focus on how to keep our physical bodies healthy, we pay little attention to what it means to have a healthy, sound heart.

Between July 23 and August 5, MYNA hosted week-long summer camps in six different states. From Pennsylvania, California, and Texas, to Wisconsin, Indiana, and Georgia, 504 campers explored the foundations of tazkiyah, (purification of the heart.) They learned about the signs, symptoms, and cures of some of the most common and detrimental spiritual diseases. Youth took a deep dive in this essential prophetic practice and cultivated their consciousness, character, spirituality, and morality as young Muslims in America. 

Camps featured speakers such as Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed-Smith, Shaykh Rami Nsour, Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi, Shaykh Hunzla Zaidi, Shaykh Sa’ad Quadri, and more. Lecture topics included in-depth reflections on detachment from dunya, intentions and fighting off arrogance, adopting an attitude of gratitude, and not being heedless of death and our final day. Youth also participated in a number of interactive workshops and recreational activities, including swimming, high ropes courses. Some camps even included boat rides across serene waterfronts.

“I don’t know where I would’ve been without MYNA,” Mahmoud El-Malah said. “I’ve been  going to MYNA camps since I was 12, and I experience every camp as if it’s my first. MYNA has played a vital role in my childhood and upbringing. It taught me that no matter where I live, I can always find friends that can bring me closer to Allah. Every camp has taught me a new aspect of our religion.”

Visit www.isna.net/youthdev/ to find out about MYNA Winter Camps 

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