About Salam Park

Situated in central Riyadh, Salam Park is near the southern parts of the Qasr Al-Hukm District. It has Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Street in the north, King Fahd Road in the west, Al-A’sha Street in the south, and Salam Street in the east. The park is divided into different zones that offer a range of attractions for the visitors. It was established with a vision to serve as a family park. Hence it provides a diverse range of recreational and cultural activities for families, particularly kids.

How to reach: Situated in Central Riyadh, Salam Park is near the southern parts of the Qasr Al-Hukm District. It is on Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Street in the north, King Fahd Road in the west, Al-A’sha Street in the south, and Salam Street in the east.

Salam Park ticket price: The entrance fee to the park is SR 5.25, including taxes for everyone over the age of 3 years. The entry of children below the age of 3 and those with special needs are free. Also, entry to the park is only allowed for families.

Salam Park timings: The park stays open from 9 am to midnight, Monday to Saturday. It will take around 2 hours to roam around the park.

Salam Park Attractions: Key zones

1. The palm grove

The park was established over the famous Salam Farm, which was renowned for its quality palms. The farm forms the park’s northern section and still includes a section of the old palm farm. Visitors can choose to relax in one of the many comfortable seating places and enjoy the palm shade amidst a traditional farm setting.

2. The lake

Spread across an area of 34,000 sq m, this stunning lake lies in the middle of the park’s southern section. The lake’s bed is made up of insulating materials and paved clay to preserve water throughout the year for tourism activities. The lake is split into two parts; one for boating and the second to maintain the park’s natural environment.

3. The hillside zone

Salam Park features slightly sloped highlands covered with lush green grass in its central area. A 1 km long and 10 m wide circular pedestrian pathway surrounds the park and most of the hillside zone. This zone presents excellent opportunity for tourists with kids to run across the hill and play games.

4. The ecological zone

Situated in the park’s southeast section, the nature reserves protect various plants, animals, and birds. Those visiting the park can tour these reserves with the park’s guides who provide extensive tours of the park and its various elements.

Salam Park tourist spots

1. Fountain

Salam Park is home to a magnificent fountain, which serves as the highlight of the lake area. This stunning fountain has circularly arranged jets that blow the water up to 40 m in vertical streams. It attracts visitors for its rhythmic performance and colorful lighting concept. In addition to its visual beauty, this water jet also serves as an aerator to the water for encouraging fish and plant propagation. Visitors can take beautiful pictures with this fountain serving as a picturesque backdrop.

2. Boating and water sports

The gorgeous lake at Salam Park is divided into two sections, one of which is solely dedicated to boating activities. Visitors can enjoy serene boat rides across the lake with their families and kids. Facilities for other water activities and games are also available at this section of the lake. The lake is among the top favorite spots in the park for families picnics, especially during the summer months.

3. Kids activities

Salam Park is an excellent place for families to spend some quality time together. It is home to eight accessible playgrounds, where kids can play all day long. It features a wide range of electric games that the children can enjoy with their parents or each other. There are facilities for pony riding, which are a particular favorite amongst kids. Visitors can take their kids to watch various birds, animals, and plants inhabiting the park’s nature reserves for a learning experience.

4. Picnic and strolling

Visitors can stroll across the park, taking in the fresh air and relaxing in the natural surroundings. The park has a train capable of carrying 60 individuals for touring the premises. Baby pushchairs and wheelchairs are also available at the gate for those who need one. The park is lined with beautiful picnic areas, where families can relax and enjoy each other’s company.

5. Food stalls and restaurants

The park has a contemporary restaurant serving delicious Arabian and international cuisine. Besides housing an excellent multi-cuisine restaurant, Salam Park has 13 kiosks and food stalls serving everything from fast food and snacks to beverages and desserts. Ranging from various ice cream flavors to the most exotic of gourmet dishes, there is no shortage of variety when it comes to food at the park.

6. Mosque

The park features a mosque with a total area of 460 sq m. It can accommodate around 5000 worshippers and provides separate prayer area for 250 women. Additionally, there is another mosque in close proximity to the park for the convenience of the visitors.

Salam Park in Riyadh Season

Riyadh Season is a massive months-long entertainment festival in Riyadh that attracts millions of visitors. Authorities organized first session of Riyadh Season from October 2019 to January 2020 across 12 different zones of the city. The second session started from October 2021 and lasted till March 2022. Riyadh Season 2 hosted more than 7,000 exciting events across 14 different zones, including Salam Park. Some of the significant Riyadh Season events and activities that took place at Salam Park includes live music performances, magic shows, water activities, food stalls, beautiful floral arrangements, and bird watching areas

Must Read: Riyadh Season 2021-22 Gives A Massive Boost To Tourism, Hospitality In Riyadh

Salam Park is the most sought-after family destination in Riyadh. With so many beautiful attractions and exciting activities to indulge in, the park is one of the best places in Riyadh for families, especially those with kids. It features various facilities and amenities to make the experience enjoyable for people from all age groups.

Salam Park FAQs

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In the Quran and Hadiths, the word tawbah (to return) is focused and it means to turn from evil and unholy activities and firmly avoid them in the future. It plays a main role in the flourishing of a human soul and its journey towards Allah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) narrated that God says “As soon as My servant makes a step toward Me, I make two steps toward him; as soon as he comes to Me walking, I come to him running”. It is believed that a believer can make tawbah not only when he/she commits a sin but also while executing a good deed. The tawbah signifies true-hearted and devoted repentance that is free from sanctimony and insincerity.

Tawbah Meaning

The literal meaning of Tawbah is ‘to return’. The word is mentioned many times in the holy Quran and several hadiths. In the holy Quran, Tawbah is related to the word ‘Nasuh’, which means to ‘make pure’ or ‘sincere’. It can be understood that Tawbah helps in returning from sinful and wrong deeds. The person performing Tawbah surrenders in front of the Almighty Allah and asks forgiveness from Him for their act of swaying away from the path of righteousness.

Importance Of Repentance In Islam: Quran Verses

According to the Islamic scripture Quran, those who believe that they have conducted any wrongdoing or misdeed that is against the commandments of Allah, can sincerely repent for their mistake and seek Allah’s forgiveness. The Quranic verses say,

“And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards God, that ye may attain Bliss.” — Quran, Sura 24 (Al-Noor), ayah 31

“O ye who believe! Turn to God with sincere repentance, in the hope that your Lord will remove from you your ills and admit you to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow.” — Quran, Sura 66 (Al-Tahrim), ayah 08

“Surely God loves those who turn much (to Him), and He loves those who purify themselves.” — Quran, Sura 02 (Al-Baqara), ayah 222

“God accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards; to them will God turn in mercy: For God is full of knowledge and wisdom. Of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil, until death faces one of them, and he says, “Now have I repented indeed;” nor of those who die rejecting Faith: for them have We prepared a punishment most grievous.” — Quran, Sura 04 (An-Nisa), ayah 17–18

Suggested Read: Friday Blessings: The Sweet Reward Of Friday Prayers In Islam

The Quran verses also address the doubter and request them to turn towards Allah and seek his mercy and forgiveness.

“The Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him (disbeliever), and he will dwell therein in ignominy,- unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for God will change the evil of such persons into good, and God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to God with an (acceptable) conversion.” — Quran, Sura 25 (Al-Furqan), ayah 69–71

How To Repent In Islam: Conditions

According to the Sharia (the Islamic law), when a person performs tawbah with sincerity and devotion, Allah accepts it. The tawbah comprises six elements:

6 steps of Repentance

1. To remorse one’s evil deed;
2. To carry out saintly duties that were overlooked;
3. To return the rights and properties obtained from others unfairly;
4. To seek forgiveness from people you have wronged;
5. To take responsibility for avoiding the wrongdoing in the future; and
6. To retain himself/herself in Allah’s acquiescence.

Tawbah is a double-edged technique, according to which a person should be able to acknowledge his/her mistake and abandon it to seek Allah’s forgiveness. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,

“A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain which, he is afraid, may fall on him; whereas the wicked person considers his sins as flies passing over his nose and he just drives them away like this (and he moved his hand over his nose).” — Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:75:320

How To Perform Salaat Al-Tawbah

Salaat al-tawbah is the special tawbah prayer for those who want to repent. It consists of four rakahs (according to Shia tradition) and must be performed in a prescribed method. Irrespective of the gravity of the sin committed, the repentance prayer remains the same. The prescribed way of offering Namaz-e-tawbah is as follows:

Niyat For Salatul Tawbah

Before offering Salatul Tawbah, one must make Niyyah. Niyat or Niyyah is the intention to declare that one is aware of their sins and sincerely wants to amend their wrongs by asking forgiveness from the almighty Allah.

Niyyah for Tawbah Dua: Usolli Sunnata Taubati Rak’ataini Lillahi Taala.

Meaning: I pray the sunnah of tawbah for two rak’ahs because of Allah Ta’ala.

Salat al Tawbah Steps

• Perform Ghusl, here it is important to submerge the whole body in water (called Irtimasi). If you are not in a place where you can get into the water completely, you may do it in parts.
• Alternatively, you can also perform Tartibi, which is wiping the body with water. This is suggested in place water available for the ritual is scarce.
• The next step is to perform Wudu, an Islamic cleansing ritual
• Then perform a four rakah prayer and in every rakah, one must recite the Surah al-Fatiha once, Surah al-Ikhlas thrice, Surah al-Falaq once, and Surah an-Nas once.
• Next, one must recite Astaghfirullah (rabbi wa atubu ‘ilayh)
• After the prayer, say Astaghfirullah rabbi wa atubu ‘ilayh
• Follow it up with the following prayers:

i) Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa billaahil a’liyyil a’zeem; and then

ii) Yaa A’zeezo yaa ghaffooro ighfirli zunoobi wa zunooba Jamee’il mo-mineena wal mo-minaate. Fa innahu laa yaghfiro illa ant.

Salat Al Tawbah Dua

While offering the tawbah prayer for repentance, the only condition is one has to pray from their heart; understanding the severity of their sin. However, if one is stuck on the supplication to recite, here is a special Tawbah dua for seeking forgiveness from the all-merciful Allah.

Dua: Allahumma inni Zholamtu Nafsi Zull-man Kasiran Walaa Yagh-firu Zunuuba illa Anta, Fagh-firli Min indika Magfirotan innaka Antal Rgho-fuu Rur-rahim.

Meaning: O Allah, indeed, I have wronged myself with great injustice. And no one can forgive my sins except You. So forgive me with great forgiveness from Your side. You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Mentioned in Hadith Bukhari, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) acknowledged Sayyidul Istighfar as the most superior supplications for repentance.

Dua: Allaahumma Anta Rabbii Laa ilaaha illaa Annta Kholaq-tanii Wa Anaa ‘Abduka Wa Anaa ‘Ala ‘Ahdika Wawa’ Dika Maas-tatha-tu ‘Auudzu-bika Min Syarrimaa Shana-tu AbuuU-laka Bini’matika Alayya Wa AbuuU Bidzanmmbi Fagh-fir-lii Fa-innahu Laa Yagh-firudz-Dzunuuba Illaa Annta.

Meaning: O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no God but You, You have created me, and I am Your servant. I will indeed obey Your provisions, Your promises according to my ability. I ask for Your protection from the evils of all my deeds, and I acknowledge all the favors You have given and acknowledge the existence of the sins I have committed. No one forgives sins except you.

Benefits of performing Tawbah

As performing Tawbah is a sign of immense trust and faith in Allah and His mercy, Allah blesses the people who seek forgiveness with pure intent. The whole act of Tawbah makes one humble and helps remove anxiety, worries and distress. Tawbah imparts peace as sinners accept their sins with pure objective and promise to never commit the same mistakes again. The faith further guides the person on the path shown by Allah that is of righteousness. Tawbah also generates a sense of kindness and humility when others sins against an individual or a community.

Repentance is the way to seek forgiveness for your sins from Allah. Turning off or delaying tawbah is absolutely unjustifiable in Islam. If a person delays or reschedules repentance till the last breath, repentance will not be welcomed by Allah and will be considered as a great misdeed. It is therefore recommended that whenever a person realises his folly, they must repent and seek forgiveness from the all merciful Allah. To get the sins forgiven, one must follow accurate steps on how to repent in Islam but what matters the most is intent.

Suggested Read: The Day Of Arafat: Importance Of Fasting, Making Dua, Things To Do, Hadiths

Tawbah/Repentance In Islam FAQs

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