Halaqa # 33

Shawwal 20,  1436

Istiqaama

Year 2

Attendance:

• 7  Sisters
• 3  Junior Sisters
• 3  Junior Guests

Location:  Celebration Square

Agenda: (please note, we have included many links where you can read in detail more on each subject)

• OPENING DUA

O Allah, bless this Halaqa, allow us to gain, act upon  and share beneficial knowledge. Guide us, forgive our sins and grant us Jannah with our families 

and loved ones. Ameen

• QURAN RECITATION

We read Surah Fatihah aloud altogether, then sisters individually read aloud a

few letters/words, ayahs (according to her ability and with the help and

encouragement of her fellow sisters). We read  Surah An-Nissa  from Ayat 80  

till Ayat 94 . In sha Allah, this will be an ongoing part of our Halaqa and one day

in sha Allah, we will have Khatam Quran and begin again.

• SISTERS TALK

Keeping It Going After Ramadan: Istiqaama

by :Khalil Abdur-Rashid

• LEARNING ARABIC

Istiqamah  استقامه  is often translated to mean ‘uprightness, correctness, integrity, soundness’ and so forth. It comes from the root word قام (qama) meaning ‘to rise’ or

‘to stand upright’ and it’s from this that we derive words like       مستقيم (mustaqeem)

as in ‘Sirat al-Mustaqeem’ (Straight Path).

Istiqamah is in our words, actions, intentions, and state (our condition). It is 

what our character builds upon and it is what determines our destiny on the 

Day of Judgment.

source: http://www.islam21c.com/spirituality/9154-istiqaama-the-way-of-the-believer/

• SISTERS TALK

Hadith 21: The concept of Istiqamah

• NEXT HALAQA

In sha Allah, our next Halaqa will be held on Thursday August 20th, 2015 outdoors 

at the Celebration Square in front of the Mississauga Library from 10 am-12 noon. 

Sisters and children are encouraged to attend.  

• SISTERS TALK

8 Tips to Stay Connected to the Qur’an Post-Ramadan by Aishah Iqbal

Click to read more: http://productivemuslim.com/connected-to-quran-post-ramadan/#ixzz3hwPRpKah

Follow us: @AbuProductive on Twitter | ProductiveMuslim on Facebook

• TECH TALK

Just highlighting two websites taken from today’s Halaqa

one from Japan.   Muslims in Japan
one from Australia  Islamic Dawah Center

• VIDEO

Oh Muslim! Be Steadfast - Abu Hamza 5:39

• CLOSING DUA

For the expiation of sins, said at the conclusion of a sitting or gathering

To listen to this dua click here

196 - "How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. I bear witness that None

has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to 

You in repentance."

سُبْحـانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمدِك، أَشْهَـدُ أَنْ لا إِلهَ إِلاّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتوبُ إِلَـيْك

Subhânaka l-lâhumma wa bi-hamdika. Ash-hadu an lâ ilâha illâ

anta, astaghfiruka wa atûbu ilayka.

If any of this information was good and true, know that it comes from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. 

If there are mistakes we ask for Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy.

Following the Halaqa, sisters present enjoyed wandering the Farmers Market which was 

set up in Celebration Square that day.

Halaqa # 18

Growing Closer to Allah

   

Attendance:

• 6  Sisters
• 2  Junior Sisters

Location:  Headquarters

Agenda: (please note, we have included many links where you can read in detail more on each subject)

• OPENING DUA

• QURAN RECITATION

We read Surah Fatihah aloud altogether, then sisters individually read aloud a few letters/words, ayahs (according to her ability and with the help and encouragement of her fellow sisters).  We read Surah Baqarah from Ayat 238  till Ayat 252.  In sha Allah, this will be an ongoing part of our halaqa and one day in sha Allah, we will have Khatam Quran and begin again.

• SISTER’S TALK

Thanks to Sister Merve who brought to our attention to an Article on Productive Muslim entitled. 6 Steps to Get You Closer to Allah (SWT) Click here to read the article.

Sister Winnie presented the above article as a Slide presentation.  

To watch click here

• LEARN A DUA

Fortress of the Muslim # 262 under section 130 The excellence of Remembering Allah

A desert Arab came to Allah’s Messenger (sallAllah alayhi wasalaam) and said, “Teach me a word that I can say.”  The Prophet told him to say:

Laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu, wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, Allaahu ‘Akbaru Kabeeran, walhamdu lillaahi katheeran, Subhaanallaahi Rabbil-‘aalameen, laa hawla wa laa quwwatta ‘illa billaahil-‘Azeezil-Hakeem.

There is none worthy of worship but Allah, Who has no partner, Allah is the Great, Most Great, and praise is to Allah in abundance, glory is to Allah, Lord of the worlds. There is no power and no might but by Allah the Mighty, the Wise.”

He said, “That is for my Lord, but what about me?”

The Prophet (sallAllah alayhi wasalaam) told him to say:

Allaahummaghfir lee, warhammnee, wahdiniee, warzuqnee.

Oh Allah forgive me,, and have mercy on me, and guide me, and provide for me.”

[Muslim 4/2072, Abu Dawood reports the same Hadith the addition: and when the Arab left, the Prophet (sallAllah alayhi wasalaam)) said: “He has filled his hands with goodness.” 1/220.]

• SISTERS TALK

In the Amanah room there is a wall hanging with Allah’s names written. Here is a picture of it:

All the sisters present took turns reciting Allah’s swt, beautiful names in English and Arabic. Then we each chose a name to research and present at an upcoming Halaqa. The names chosen are:

Ar-Rahman	Sister Rim
Ar-Rahim	Sister Amanny
Al-Hakeem	Sister Nissa
As-Salam	Sister Lamiaa
Al-Jabbar	Sister Winnie

• SISTERS TALK

What is your intention when reciting Quran?

Sisters took turns reading aloud the following article:

https://hadithcommentary.wordpress.com/articles/why-do-you-recite-the-quran/

• SISTERS TALK

Sister Winnie brought to the sisters attention a short story written in Arabic. Sister Lamiaa kindly read that article and then translated into English for the benefit of all present. Click here for a link to the Arabic article and we would love if one of our members who speaks Arabic would send us an English translation to share with everyone.

• VIDEO

Using Technology to Get Closer to Allah (6:02)

Allah is Near   Nouman Ali Khan (12:25)

• CLOSING DUA

To listen to the Dua: Click here then choose Dua 084

Supplication for concluding all sittings

سُبْحـانَكَ وَبِحَمدِك، لا إِلهَ إِلاّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتوبُ إِلَـيْك. AAaishah (r.a.a) said: Whenever The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) would betake a seat, read Quran or pray, he would always conclude it with certain words, I (i.e. AAaishah) said: O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), I have noticed that whenever you betake a seat, read Quran or pray, you always conclude it with these words. He said: Yes, whoever speaks good, it (i.e. the supplication) will be a seal for that goodness and whoever speaks ill, it will be an atonement for him.’ Subhanaka wabihamdik, la ilaha illa anta astaghfiruka wa-atoobu ilayk. ‘How perfect You are and I praise You. None has the right to be worshipped except You, I seek Your forgiveness and turn in repentance to You.’

If any of this information was good and true, know that it comes from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.  If there are mistakes we ask for Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy.

Halaqa # 13

Optimism

Attendance:

• 2  Sisters

Location:  Headquarters

Agenda: (please note, we have included many links where you can read in detail more on each subject)

• OPENING DUA

All praise is for Allah who gave us life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the resurrection.

A dua for waking up from Fortress of the Muslim (with audio)

• QURAN RECITATION

We read Surah Fatihah aloud altogether, then sisters individually read aloud a few letters/words, ayahs (according to her ability and with the help and encouragement of her fellow sisters).  We read Surah Baqarah from Ayat 146  till Ayat 163.  In sha Allah, this will be an ongoing part of our halaqa and one day in sha Allah, we will have Khatam Quran and begin again.

• SISTER’S TALK

Sister Lamiaa gave an interesting talk about tests and trials we experience.  

To read her notes, click here.   

• LEARN A DUA

Part of being optimistic is making dua

Dua’s are never wasted

Aisha radhiallaahu anha said, "No believer makes Dua and it is wasted. Either it is granted here in this world or deposited for him in the Hereafter as long as he does not get frustrated."

Allah’s anger at those who don’t make dua

In fact, it is even wrong to never make Dua, "Whosoever does not supplicate to Allah, He will be angry with Him." [Saheeh Jaami`as-Sagheer #2414]

Source: http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/drawcloser.html

"O Allah, I ask You for knowledge which is beneficial and sustenance which is good, and deeds which are acceptable. (To be said after giving salam for the fajr prayer)  
for audio   see dua #95   link to hisnulmuslim

• PODCAST

#37: Why YOU Should Become An Optimist

by Muslim Life Hackers  (17:51)

link

• SISTERS TALK

Sister Winnie read an article written by Sister Rabia titled:

Hajj Journey: Reflections of a Woman who is Blind  

• CLOSING DUA

Oh Allah, grant us the patience to forebear our personal trials, the ability to overcome all obstacles that hinder us from your path. Allow us  reflect your love to us through our optimistic attitudes.  

If any of this information was good and true, know that it comes from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.  If there are mistakes we ask for Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy.