The journey to Tarim is unlike any other journey in the world both physically and spiritually. It is not merely a movement from one place to another, but a passage that reshapes the heart.

From the very beginning, the journey to Tarim is filled with uncertainty. And in that uncertainty lies its first lesson: to keep the heart firmly connected to Allah and to trust His plan above all else.

Many of us who grew up in the West, or in places where life appears largely within our control rely on ourselves, our schedules, our systems. Most days unfold as expected, with only occasional inconveniences; minor tests that quickly lead us to frustration and impatience. In these moments, we often miss the wisdom behind the test itself. As a result, our tawakkul muscle remains underdeveloped each time.

We may say, without hesitation, that Allah is in charge of our lives. But living that truth is an entirely different matter. When we fail to reflect on the events unfolding around us as being from Allah, our words remain hollow, disconnected from our lived reality.

The moment you decide to come to Tarim, the tests begin.

You wait for visas whose timing only Allah knows. You navigate complicated routes often requiring transit through neighboring countries and reliance on only Yemenia Airline. Many see Yemen only through the lens of fear and conflict, and so your decision may be met with concern or discouragement from family and friends. The journey is costly and flights are limited, often canceled, and plans can dissolve without warning, leaving you suspended in uncertainty.

These outward difficulties stir anxiety; the fear of the unknown, the collapse of expectations, the loss of control. Yet because the journey to Tarim is, at its core, a spiritual one, you are forced to place your reliance on Allah even in the smallest of matters. Things you once assumed were already “taken care of” and didn’t need deep prayers.

A believer usually goes through 2 conditions and is required to respond accordingly. Tested with difficulty and is required to have patience or blessed with blessings and is required to show gratitude.

Tarim teaches you to trust Allah fully. It teaches you that His plans are better than your own, even when everything outwardly appears to be falling apart.

Tarim teaches you that Allah alone invites whom He wills. No amount of preparation, money, or effort can guarantee entry. If He wants you there, He will carry you there sometimes by smoothing the path in the most unexpected ways until, by His mercy, you finally set foot in the blessed valley.

Upon arrival, the people of Tarim remind you: be patient, for the tests continue. You may encounter things your nafs dislikes; discomforts that humble you. And this humbling is necessary, for the nafs is often the greatest barrier between us and the transformation Allah wants for us.

Our likes and dislikes, our habits and comforts, frequently prevent us from seeing beyond ourselves. We feed the nafs, satisfy its demands, and forget that our ultimate aim is to please Allah. Yet the pleasure of Allah lies in the purification of the heart and soul. One must empty oneself of the self before the heart can be filled with divine light.

Tarim allows you to see beyond the demands of the nafs. It is known among scholars as the hospital of the soul. Those who come seeking a cure for the diseases of the heart find healing here. It is a land of light, of answered prayers, and of hearts reoriented toward Allah.

In Tarim, life slows enough for you to attend to your inner world. You learn to nurture a beautiful, intimate relationship with Allah through knowledge, dhikr, the supplications of the pious, and even through their food and companionship.

Tarim is for the one weary of a robotic life devoid of deep connection with Allah. It is for the tired soul, burdened by ailments unseen by the eye but deeply felt by the heart. It is a hospital for those who recognize their sickness and seek treatment.

All of us carry hidden spiritual diseases that manifest in our character and behavior. Often, we resist treatment because we mistake these traits for our identity. But when we learn about purification of the heart and live among those who have purified themselves we begin to recognize our own faults. What once felt normal begins to feel like a barrier. What once felt acceptable begins to feel heavy.

In Tarim, you do not need to search for a scholar. You have already entered the hospital, and you will be seen and treated according to your states.

Tarim gives according to intention. Those who arrive with lofty, sincere intentions find their needs fulfilled in ways beyond expectation. Renewing intentions is essential, for it anchors the heart when it begins to waver. Some people spend only a few days in Tarim, yet take away immense benefit because of the sincerity and height of their intentions.

We do not reach high stations through our deeds. Sometimes, it is through sincere intention that Allah elevates a servant to ranks that would otherwise take years to attain.

May Allah grant us sincere intentions, accept them from us, and allow us to take from Tarim exactly what He intends for us. Ameen

Until next time..

Peace be with you