About

Keeping in mind al-Riḥla fī Ṭalab al-Ḥadīth of al-Khaṭīb al-Baghdādī, we have named this institution Rihlatul Ilm Foundation. It was a ritual of the early scholars in the annals of Islamic history to travel far and wide in the search of a single ḥadīth or a single jurisdiction. ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Ibn Mahdī, an ustādh of Imam al-Bukhārī, states that I witnessed a person in the majlis of Imam Mālik who had traveled a journey of six months just to ask Imam Mālik three questions pertaining to his Dīn.

Very seldom one would find a muḥaddith or a faqīh who did not travel much yet he had acquired a large amount of ʿilmī expertise. In fact, that is one of the blames upon Ibn Ḥazm al-Ẓāhirī, who restricted himself to the scholars of his town, the ʿulamāʾ and muḥaddithīn of the Maghrib. On the other hand, Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, also a very great scholar of the Maghrib, well known as Raḥḥāla (a traveler) and the Ḥāfiẓ of the Maghrib, traveled to the Mashriq and throughout the world in search of ʿilm. Thus his ʿilm was greatly appreciated by one and all.

The service rendered by him upon the Muwaṭṭaʾ of Imam Mālik is quite well known by all. In a very rare case, one would find a scholar who did not travel as much. Normally, in such a case, such a town is known to be the hub of Islamic education (or at least one of them) from the entire Islamic map. Like in the case of the two great jurists of Islam, Imam Abū Ḥanīfa and Imam Mālik. Madīna and Kūfa were two such places people would travel to from around the entire globe. Thus, these two luminaries of Islam did not travel as much, besides the trips of the pilgrimage.

In this day and age, it is not quite practical for a person to undertake such journeys. Islamic education has become confined to institutions, which has its benefits in many ways. In fulfilling the farḍ kifāya of imparting ʿilm, the Dār al-ʿUlūms have come into existence. However, we want to still remind the students of the sacrifices of the early scholars and how they undertook such journeys of great hardship in order to acquire what we have in our plates. As a result, our students will appreciate the comfort they are studying in. Hence, we have named this institution al-Riḥla, the journey.

It is a well known fact that if Allah ʿazza wa-jalla has given an order in the Qurʾān, it means that He has kept enough ability within the Human scope to fulfill that divine order. Amongst the Divine orders of the Almighty, it is also an obligation to acquire piety and to mingle with the pious. In order to instill the correct Islamic values and morals, it is of utmost importance that we provide the correct environment for our people and especially for our future generation.

A very strong effort is required in order to create this environment. This service will be rendered, with effort and zeal, by the existence of an Islamic institution where our children will study Qurʾān and Sunna in depth. Keeping this concept and goal in mind, by the immense mercy of the Almighty Allah, Rihlatul Ilm Foundation has come into existence.

Also, to revive and reignite the spirit and legacy of the classical Muslim scholars of the Islamic history. Thereafter, provide the Umma with qualified ʿulamāʾ and jurists along with ḥuffāẓ and protectors of the Qurʾān.

Also, to make Muslims understand the value and responsibility of being a human being and to learn to treat his brethren with ethics and Islamic morals, meanwhile creating such a peaceful environment which people will come to from far and wide in order to attain peace of mind and tranquility. Ultimately, to make such traditional Muslim scholars who will learn ethics, propagate, teach, and guide others do the same.