RestStop Retreats

WITHDRAW BRIEFLY, RETURN TRANSFORMED.

Brothers retreats that emphasize spiritual renewal, personal growth, and good company. Whether you are new to Islam, seeking to reset, or looking to advance spiritually, we have an experience for you.

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RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS

Our setting inspires. The company transforms.

TRANSFORMATIONAL SETTING

Sacred Learning’s masjid — free from distractions and devices — provides the ideal space for focus and clarity.

LIFE CHANGING COMPANY

Form lifelong bonds with mentors and like-minded brothers, who inspire, support, and elevate your spiritual journey.

EMPHASIS ON THE ESSENTIALS

Each retreat revolves around the daily congregational prayers and provides ample time for learning, remembrance (dhikr), and reflection.

PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL RESET

Our thoughtfully designed facility combines comfort with purpose, creating the perfect space to rejuvenate your body and soul.

SACRED KNOWLEDGE

Short-format lectures provide practical knowledge, while discussions deepen understanding and personal growth.

DHIKR

Prophetic invocations are woven throughout the retreat — reviving the heart and uplifting the soul through remembrance of Allah.

UPCOMING RETREATS

September 5th to 7th 2025

PROPHETIC SEERAH: THE MADINAH ERA
Shaykh Zaib Talat and Husain A. Sattar*
September 5th to 7th
Friday, 7PM CDT to Sunday, 8AM CDT
Sacred Learning Center

After migrating from Mecca to Madinah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions begin a new chapter. Join us as we follow their remarkable journey—through the trials of leadership, tests of battle, moments of betrayal, and profound sacrifice—all in their mission to establish the Din of Allah.

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October 24th to 26th 2025

THE SUNNAH
Shaykh Obaid Bengali and Husain A. Sattar*
October 24th to 26th
Friday, 7PM CDT to Sunday, 8AM CDT
Sacred Learning Center

The Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) breathes purpose into every moment—turning daily routines into pathways to Allah’s pleasure. Join us to learn and live the Sunnah in your worship, conduct, and everyday life.

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FUTURE RETREATS

December 5th to 7th 2025

TOPIC TBD
Shaykh Ashhar Ali and Husain A. Sattar*
December 5th to 7th
Friday, 7PM CST to Sunday, 8AM CST
Sacred Learning Center

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

January 23rd to 25th 2026

Precious Pearls: Early Advice in Spiritual Development
Shaykh Sa’ad Quadri and Husain A. Sattar*
January 23rd to 25th
Friday, 7PM CST to Sunday, 8AM CST
Sacred Learning Center

The heart-to-heart connection that occurred between the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions (Allah be pleased with them) lives on in the relationship between a student and their teachers. Join us to revive this tradition as we focus on spiritual advice given by the great shaykhs of the past to their students.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

*Each retreat is led by the primary speaker. Shaykh Husain oversees all retreats and presents one or two sessions, as his schedule permits.

TESTIMONIALS

Intellectually and especially spiritually transformative.  Strongly recommended for seekers of God! -Omer (Grand Blanc, MI)

Well organized event…From the registration to the programs everything was awesome…participants were all focused on their goals of spiritual purification and the atmosphere was accordingly kept highly spiritual. -Mohammed (New Berlin, WI)

…Improvements in my spiritual development have been palpable, alhamdulillah. Best opportunity for suhbah I’ve experienced. -Andy (Portland, OR)

Amazing opportunity to take a break from the world and focus on spirituality whilst forming friendships with brothers who are trying to achieve the same thing…has a lasting impact for weeks to come. -Sufyian (Glen Ellyn, IL)

RETREAT HOSTS

Shaykh Ashhar grew up in Troy, MI, completing his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Arabic & Islamic Studies and Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Sciences in 2007. After completing memorization of the Holy Quran in 1994, he furthered his Islamic studies with local scholars during his college years. In 2008, he began formally studying the traditional sciences in the Sacred Learning Program, and in 2014, was granted formal authorization (ijāzah) in the spiritual sciences (tasawwuf). Shaykh Ashhar is currently a practicing neurologist at the Henry Ford Hospital and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology. He spends his free time teaching and lecturing on various subjects of Islamic knowledge and guides seekers on the path of purifying their heart and attaining nearness to Allah. Shaykh Ashhar currently resides in suburban Detroit with his wife and children, where he oversees Refined Heart.

Shaykh Basharath Alikhan was raised in the Chicagoland area, where he attended college at Benedictine University studying biology and health sciences. He went on to receive his medical doctorate (MD) from Rush University in 2005. Thereafter, he completed training in the field of Pathology, with further subspecializations in Hematopathology, Surgical Pathology, and Molecular Genetic Pathology from the University of Chicago. His training in the Islamic sciences began with the study of Quran memorization at the Institute of Islamic Education (Ma’had Ta’leemul Islam) in Elgin, IL in 1996. He since studied the religious sciences with local scholars, culminating in a one-year training program leading to authorization in Hadith (Ijazah) from teachers in Zambia. Since 2004, his spiritual training was guided by Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar, leading to formal authorization in tasawwuf in 2015. He is currently a staff pathologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem, where he serves as Director of Hematopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor at the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. Outside of his profession, he teaches and serves at the Sacred Learning Center. He lives with his family in Lincolnwood, IL.

Shaykh Obaid Bengali is a hafidh of the Holy Qu’ran and completed his alim course at Suffah Educational Guidance in 2018. In 2002, Shaykh Obaid started training in the science of Islamic spirituality and was formally authorized to guide others in the path of Islamic spirituality in 2014. Shaykh Obaid holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology and works full-time as a Support Engineer. He spends his free time teaching and lecturing on various subjects of Islamic knowledge and guides seekers on the path of purifying their heart and attaining nearness to Allah. He currently lives in suburban Chicago with his family.

Born in the Chicagoland area, Shaykh Mohammad Omar Hussaini completed his Bachelor’s in Psychology in 2000 and his medical degree (MD) from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2006. After completing memorization of the Qur’an at the Ma’had Ta’lim ul-Islam in 1996, he further studied the Islamic sciences with local teachers for over a decade until he completed his ‘alimiyya degree in South Africa in 2006. Throughout his years of study, Shaykh Omar also continued his training in Islamic Spirituality and was formally authorized to teach Islamic Spirituality (tasawwuf) in 2009. Shaykh Omar is currently Director of Molecular Hematopathology at the Moffitt Cancer Center and Associate Professor of Oncological Sciences at the University of South Florida. Shaykh Omar teaches and lectures on various subjects of Islamic knowledge and also serves as an instructor in Sacred Learning’ Individual Study program. He resides with his wife and children in suburban Tampa Bay, where he oversees Makkiyyah Institute and Pureway.

Born in the Chicagoland area, Shaykh Sa’ad Quadri completed his Bachelor’s in English and History at Northern Illinois University and his Master’s in Education at DePaul University. After studying the Islamic sciences with local teachers on a part-time basis, Shaykh Sa’ad completed his ‘alimiyya degree in Lusaka, Zambia. Throughout his years of study, Shaykh Sa’ad also continued his training in Islamic Spirituality and was formally authorized to teach spiritual development (tasawwuf). Shaykh Sa’ad currently serves as the Islamic Studies Department Chair for the MCC Academy; during his free time, he teaches and lectures on various subjects of Islamic knowledge and serves as an instructor in Sacred Learning’s Individual Study program. Shaykh Sa’ad resides with his wife and children in suburban Chicago.

Shaykh Sayeed Shariff is a hafidh of the Holy Qur’an, completing his memorization at the Institute of Islamic Education (IIE) in Gilberts, Illinois in 1995. He has studied various Islamic sciences with local scholars since then. In 2006, Shaykh Sayeed started training in the science of Islamic spirituality and was formally authorized in 2015. He holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Computer Science and Information Systems from DePaul University. Professionally, Shaykh Sayeed leads Data and AI at a healthcare company in the Chicago area. He spends his free time serving as the Executive Director of Sacred Learning where he volunteers, serves as an Imam, lectures and teaches. Shaykh Sayeed has also been serving Hujjaj since 2009 through a nonprofit he founded guiding pilgrims to Hajj and Umrah on an annual basis. He currently resides in Lincolnwood, IL with his family.

Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Shaykh Zaib Talat completed his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in 2008 and a Masters in Analytics in 2022 from Georgia Institute of Technology. After completing hifz of the Holy Quran (2011) and studying the Islamic sciences part time for seven years with local scholars, Shaykh Zaib went on to complete a rigorous alimiyya degree with a post doctoral focus in Hadith sciences in 2016 in Lusaka, Zambia. During this time, he also received formal authorization in the Islamic science of spiritual purification. Shaykh Zaib currently serves as a Data Science manager in the supply chain logistics industry. During his free time, he teaches and lectures on various subjects of Islamic knowledge and serves as an instructor in Sacred Learning’s Individual Study program. Shaykh Zaib currently resides in suburban Atlanta with his wife and children, where he oversees Seeking Perfection.

Dr. Jawad Pervez grew up in the Chicagoland area where he completed his BA in Psychology from Loyola University and then went onto medical school at Midwestern University. He completed his residency in Adult Psychiatry at Loyola University Medical Center in 2015 with a specialization in women’s mental health. He currently works as a Psychiatrist for Advocate Health in Kenosha, WI. Throughout his adolescence and adult life, Dr. Pervez has been in the company of traditional scholars, and is currently enrolled in the Sacred Learning Individual Study program.

During his free time, Dr. Pervez corresponds with scholars in addressing the psychiatric needs of the community and regularly conducts presentations and seminars on various mental health topics. He currently resides with his wife and children in the western suburbs of Chicago.