The air in Barla, a serene village in the Isparta province of Turkiye nestled by Eğirdir lake and cradled by the nearby mountains, carries whispers of history and contemplation. For one transformative week this July, it also carried the voices of a diverse group of seekers from around the world. From July 14th to 19th, this spiritually significant landscape became the classroom for the “Reading the Book of Nature” Summer Retreat, an event that sought to do something profound: to move beyond simply looking at nature with a utilitarian lens, to truly read it as a sign of Allah.
This unique gathering was a joint effort, organized by the Maqasid Institute (USA), the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture (IFSC, Turkiye), and Hearts See (UK). It drew participants from France, the UK, the USA, Türkiye, and Russia, all united by a desire to deepen their connection with the natural world through a rich Qur’anic lens. The retreat was not just a vacation or an academic exercise; it was an immersive journey into the heart of what it means to be a steward (khalifah) on Earth, exploring the cosmos as a divine text filled with signs (ayat) and wisdom.
The Guiding Purpose: Re-envisioning Our Place in the Cosmos
In an age often defined by a secular, mechanistic worldview, nature can be reduced to a mere collection of resources to be managed or a backdrop for our busy lives. The retreat was conceived as an antidote to this disconnection. The core purpose was to guide participants in re-envisioning the world as Kitab Al-Kawn, the “Book of Nature.” This foundational idea in Islamic thought views the universe as a profound revelation of divine truth, beauty, and purpose, mirroring the revealed text of the Qur’an.
The program was designed to facilitate a paradigm shift in perception, encapsulated by the retreat’s motto: “From Transition to Transformation.” Through a carefully curated blend of lectures, immersive outdoor activities, and deep cultural experiences, attendees were invited to engage with contemporary Islamic thought and the timeless heritage of Islamic scholarship. The goal was not just to learn about nature, but to connect with it at a deeper level, enabling the hearts to see the signs of Allah in every tree and leaf, every insect and bird, and every cloud and drop of rain.
A Week of Deep Engagement
The daily rhythm of the retreat was designed to nurture the soul, intellect, and senses. Each day began with morning outdoor sessions led by Shaikh Muhammad Foulds, the founder of Hearts See. These were not standard nature walks. Sessions like “Critique of the contemporary worldview of natural sciences” and “Using senses to read the ayats in nature” challenged participants to shed preconceived notions and engage their full sensory and spiritual faculties. Shaikh Foulds guided the group in practical exercises, encouraging them to see the intricate patterns in a leaf, to hear the symphony of the forest, and to perceive the interconnectedness of all life as a manifestation of divine unity.
Afternoons were dedicated to nourishing the intellect. A distinguished panel of scholars delivered lectures that unpacked the retreat’s core themes from multiple angles. Dr. Yamina Bouguenaya of Receiving Nur led profound discussions on “Reading the Signs (Ayaat) in Nature” and “Witnessing the Beautiful Names (al-asma al-husna) in nature”, illustrating how every element of creation reflects divine attributes. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Tuna from Duke University tackled the pressing question of “Knowing God in the Secular Age: Why Read the Cosmos?”, offering compelling arguments for the universe as a source of knowledge and spiritual certainty. Dr. Ildus Rafikov, Vice President of Maqasid Institute, explored the Qur’anic vision of “The Good Life (Hayyat Al-Tayyibah)” and presented an Islamic view of “Nature as a Dynamic System”.
The location itself was a powerful teacher. Barla is where the great Islamic scholar Bediuzzaman Said Nursi spent eight years in exile and wrote much of his magnum opus, the Risale-i Nur (The Epistles of Light), a work renowned for its focus on reading the universe to know God. Guided tours of Barla with Mr. Said Yüce, the Executive President of IFSC, and a visit to Çamdağı mountain, a place of contemplation for Nursi, connected the participants to this incredible spiritual legacy. Learning about Nursi’s life from Dr. Osman Yapar made it clear why this landscape was the perfect setting for such a retreat. Shaikh Foulds was especially moved by the azan (call to prayer) on top of the Çamdağı.
Outcomes: The Seeds of Transformation
By the end of the week, the shift in the atmosphere was obvious. Discussions revealed a profound sense of transformation among the attendees. Participants spoke of a renewed sense of wonder and a deeper, more personal connection to their faith through their observations of the natural world and a deeper appreciation of the Book of Allah (The Qur’an). The “indoor” lectures and “outdoor” experiences led to a more cohesive understanding of divine meanings.
The retreat successfully achieved its objective of introducing a holistic framework for seeing the world not as an object to be consumed, but as a sacred text to be read with humility and gratitude. Even the organizers and lecturers found themselves deeply moved and spiritually enriched, highlighting the powerful synergy of the collaboration.
A Foundation for Future Collaboration
The remarkable success of this inaugural retreat has laid a powerful foundation. It has sparked great enthusiasm and deepened the bonds between the partner organizations—Maqasid Institute, Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture, and Hearts See—and affirmed the vital contribution of scholars like Dr. Yamina Bouguenaya of Receiving Nur.
While the week has just concluded, the shared energy has already led to hopeful conversations about the future. There is a strong, collective aspiration to build upon this successful model. The partners are keen to explore possibilities for similar events, potentially reaching new audiences and bringing this transformative experience to other unique, natural settings in Türkiye, the US, the UK, and elsewhere in the world. The primary focus moving forward will be to nurture and strengthen the collaboration that made this event so special, ensuring that the seeds planted in the beautiful soil of Barla have the chance to grow.
This retreat in the mountains of Türkiye was a powerful reminder that the signs of God are all around us, waiting to be read. As the conversations between the partners continue, there is great hope that this is just the first chapter in a much longer story—a story of reconnecting people to nature as a powerful divine book.
By Dr. Ildus Rafikov