It all began in Al-Hidayah 2010 at Warwick University, when Nazia Barkat, attending for the first time, sat listening to Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri about a race that the Prophet (S.A.W.) had run with His wife, Hadrat Aisha (R.A.). The hadith is as follows: Narrated by Aisha (R.A.), “While she was on a journey along with the Apostle of Allah (S.A.W.): I had a race with Him (The Prophet S.A.W.) and I outstripped Him on my feet. When I became fleshy, (again) I had a race with Him (The Prophet S.A.W.) and He outstripped me. He S.A.W. said: This is for that outstripping.” (Sunan Abu Dawood - Book 14, Number 2572)

Most people would, simply listen to the hadith, smile about and use it to debate about the rights of women in Islam and how Islam does not oppress women. Not Nazia. She doesn’t do things by halves. As an ardent gym goer, she decided to do some research and lo and behold came across the Runners’ World website. Keeping her own capabilities in sight, as a mother of three young children, the half marathon from Wolverhampton to Birmingham City Centre suited her best. She wanted to do something for MQI. But rather than do the fun walk or run, maybe have a little courage to go for the 10km as the maximum limit, Nazia decided on the outset that she would run the half-marathon (which is just over 21 km/13 miles) to raise money for charity and therefore wanted to push the distance as much as she could. And that she did quite well too. She has managed to raise approximately £1600 that will go to the Minhaj Welfare Foundation (MWF) UK. Alhamdulilah, going to Al-Hidayah and being in the company of Huzoor Shaykh-ul-Islam helped Nazia to do something positive, and not simply in the capacity of running the half-marathon but all the other work she has involved herself in for the sake of Allah (S.W.T) and His Beloved Rasool (S.A.W.).  An example should be taken from Sister Nazia who not only motivated herself but the people around her as well to do something good in such a unique way.

Well done from all forums of MQI UK, especially the MYL-UK Sisters!

Report by: Marinah Syed Shah