Retreat Theme: Heartwork, Purification of the Heart

Join us for a soul-nourishing weekend retreat in Victoria's breathtaking Mornington Peninsula, a sacred pause from the noise of everyday life, designed for Muslim women seeking peace, reflection, and a deeper connection with Allah.

Retreat Program:

Our Heartwork retreat is an invitation to step away from the demands of everyday life and into a space of remembrance, reflection, and renewal. Set along the rugged coastline of Cape Schanck, this soulful retreat has been thoughtfully designed to nurture the soul, soften the heart, and deepen your connection with Allah.

Throughout the retreat, you'll be guided through a blend of spiritual learning, creative expression, and meaningful sisterhood. Together, we'll explore themes of purification of the heart, through uplifting sessions with Ustadha Saara Sabbagh, moments of quiet reflection, journaling, dhikr, Qur'an, and intentional conversations that inspire growth and transformation.

You'll also experience the healing power of Allah's creation through a scenic coastal walk, enjoy a traditional Tezhip Islamic art workshop, and share nourishing meals in the company of like-minded Muslim women. Every element of the retreat has been curated to help you slow down, reconnect with your purpose, and return home with a heart that feels lighter, more grounded, and spiritually refreshed.

Retreat Location:

Nestled amongst the natural beauty of Cape Schanck in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, our luxury retreat home offers a peaceful sanctuary where comfort, nature, and tranquility come together.

Surrounded by dramatic coastlines, ocean views, and expansive open spaces, this beautiful property provides the perfect backdrop for reflection and restoration. Whether you're enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea, gathering with sisters by the fireplace, or watching the sun move across the landscape from the deck, you'll find countless opportunities to slow down and simply be present.

Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, this retreat setting creates the ideal environment to rest, recharge, and reconnect with Allah in the midst of His creation.

Who can attend this retreat?

This retreat is open to Muslim women seeking a meaningful opportunity for spiritual growth, reflection, and connection.

While most women who attend our retreats are between the ages of 20 and 50, women of all ages are warmly welcome. The retreat includes a moderate coastal walk and participation in the full retreat program, so attendees should be comfortable walking for up to two hours and engaging in light physical activity.

Most importantly, come with an open heart and a sincere intention to invest in your relationship with Allah.

This Retreat is for you if:

• You long to spend time in the company of sincere, like-minded Muslim women.

• You feel called to strengthen your relationship with Allah and nurture your spiritual wellbeing.

• You are seeking peace, clarity, and a deeper sense of purpose.

• You want to step away from distractions and create space for reflection and growth.

• You feel spiritually disconnected and wish to reconnect with your faith.

• You are carrying the weight of burnout, overwhelm, or emotional exhaustion and need time to replenish your soul.

• You value personal development, meaningful conversations, and intentional living.

• You wish to create lasting memories, friendships, and experiences rooted in faith and sisterhood.

Meet Our Teacher: Ustadha Saara Sabbagh

Ustadha Saara Sabbagh is a respected community leader, spiritual educator, and founder of Benevolence Australia. For more than three decades, she has dedicated her work to nurturing faith, belonging, and spiritual growth within the Australian Muslim community, particularly amongst women.

Known for her warmth, wisdom, and deeply reflective approach to teaching, Ustadha Saara creates spaces where hearts are softened, faith is renewed, and meaningful transformation can take place. Her sessions invite participants to reconnect with Allah through knowledge, reflection, and sincere spiritual practice.

About Sakinah Retreats

Sakinah Retreats is a global movement of soulful travel experiences created for Muslim women seeking peace, purpose, and connection.

Rooted in the meaning of sakinah, 'tranquility bestowed by Allah' our retreats are designed to help women pause, realign, and return to what matters most. Through a thoughtful blend of spirituality, nature, sisterhood, reflection, and adventure, we create experiences that nourish both the heart and soul.

From the mountains of New Zealand to the deserts of Morocco, and now the coastline of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, our retreats bring together Muslim women from around the world in spaces of beauty, belonging, and remembrance.

Having welcomed more than 2,000 women across our retreats and experiences, we remain committed to curating every journey with ihsan (excellence), care, and intention. We are honoured to return for our third annual Mornington Peninsula retreat and look forward to sharing this transformative weekend with you.

Ready to Book?

• Secure your place with a non-refundable deposit of $350 (deducted from the total retreat price)

• Limited spots available to maintain an intimate and intentional space

• Your booking is confirmed once the deposit is received

Flexible payment plans are available, with full payment due 22 September 2026.

Bismillah — step into a space of healing, remembrance, and revival.

A space to purify the heart, reconnect with Allah, and be held by sisterhood and nature.

✨ Spaces are limited — we encourage early booking to avoid disappointment.

Any questions, please email: info@sakinahretreats.com

Cancellation Policy:

All payment is strictly non-refundable, no exceptions apply. In the unlikely event that we (the organisers) have to cancel a retreat for any reason, you will receive a refund or a credit transfer to another retreat. We are not able to cover additional travel expenses and we are not responsible for any consequential expenses incurred as a result of any cancellation. In the event you need to cancel, we encourage you to try and find someone else to take your space. If we have a waiting list, we will most certainly try and offer your space to others.

Please carefully review all terms and conditions when booking. By completing your booking, you confirm acceptance of these cancellation and refund terms.

Arrive at our stunning retreat home and settle into your room, taking in the calm and beauty of your surroundings. Check-in opens from 3:00 PM, with light refreshments available as you unwind and begin to shift into retreat mode.

We'll begin our program with a warm welcome and introductions, followed by a creative Tezip Islamic art painting session — a gentle, creative way to slow down and connect. After a nourishing dinner prepared with love, we'll gather for our opening spiritual session with Ustadha Saara Sabbagh, where we'll set our intentions for the retreat, ground ourselves in the remembrance of Allah, and open our hearts to the days ahead. The evening will conclude with dessert, connection, and quiet free time to relax before bed.

The day begins before sunrise with Fajr prayer and morning adhkar, grounding the heart in remembrance as the first light emerges over the Peninsula coastline.

After breakfast, we'll set out for a scenic walk through the dramatic clifftops and coastal bushland of Cape Schanck — taking in the fresh air, expansive ocean views, and the beauty of Allah's creation. The walk is taken at a steady, accessible pace, with opportunities to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the signs of Allah in nature. Moderate fitness is required.

Following the walk, we'll return to the retreat home for a nourishing lunch before gathering for a soul-centred teaching session with Ustadha Saara Sabbagh. Ustadha Saara will guide us through the theme of purification and spiritual rootedness — exploring the inner dimensions of the heart, self-accountability, and what it means to draw closer to Allah with intention and awareness. A dedicated Q&A and group discussion segment allows space for questions, personal reflection, and practical integration.

The afternoon offers free time for rest, journaling, prayer, or quiet contemplation. As evening sets in, we'll gather for another session with Ustadha followed by a comforting dinner, fireside reflections, dessert, and tea — a warm and gentle close to a full and nourishing day, allowing what was received to settle inwardly rather than remain only intellectual.

For those who wish, the final morning begins with optional tahajjud before Fajr prayer and morning adhkar. A short post-Fajr reminder offers a final spiritual anchor before breakfast is shared together.

The morning session with Ustadha Saara draws the retreat to a meaningful close — guiding participants to consolidate what has been received, clarify their intentions moving forward, and consider how the inner work of these days can be carried into daily life with sincerity and steadiness. This is followed by a reflective journaling activity, offering space to articulate hopes, commitments, and the quiet shifts of the heart that words don't always capture easily. We'll close the retreat with collective duʿāʾ, sealing the experience with gratitude and trust.

The official retreat program concludes at 11:00 AM, with departure to follow. You'll leave Cape Schanck carrying something quieter and more settled than when you arrived — a heart that has been tended to, softened, and reminded of what it was always reaching for, in shāʾ Allāh.