Halaqa # 84

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Muharram 1, 1439

Survey Results

Year 4

Attendance:

• 9 Sisters
• 4 Junior Sisters

Location: Sister Sara’s Place

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

FORWARD:  We would like to share a few points about why we decided to tweak our halaqa.

• To ensure authentic material is shared
• To ease the preparation of the Halaqa
• To allow for a more in-depth participation if desired yet at the same time, keep it carefree

for those who only wish to attend without follow-up

• To follow a system whereby we could all see growth and development, ie, completing a book, or learning Arabic/Tajweed
• To acknowledge the importance of proper recitation of Quran and to work towards improving our recitation and recognition of proper recitation.
• To recognize and incorporate needs and interests of our halaqa members

• 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.

رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا  “Rabbi zidni ‘ilma” (O my Lord increase me in knowledge)*. Ameen

*Part of ayah 114 Surah Taha(20)

Note: we made an addition to our opening dua.

• QURAN RECITATION: TAJWEED/LEARN ARABIC

Alhamdulillah, the overwhelming majority choose to start a learn Arabic/Tajweed session to our Halaqa.  The majority wanted to allot 10 min to this endeavor.

In sha Allah, we will begin with Surah Al-Asr and systematically practice the small Surahs till Surah An Nas. We will in sha Allah, listen to a correct recitation by  Sheikh Husary.  We may spend more than one Halaqa on a specific Surah.

Isa, we will listen to the Surah, then, learn a tajweed rule and then practice our own recitations. Sisters who do not know Arabic will be encouraged to follow along the Arabic letters and Sisters who know Arabic will be encouraged to improve their recitation.

Surah Al-Asr

The above link has both the recitation by Sheikh Husary and the individual word pronunciation (click on each word) for our learning Arabic sisters.

Navigating the above webpage:

Click on the settings top right-hand corner:

• Click Surah Info to get an overview of the Surah.

• Click Reading Mode to get a have all the Ayaat together (but without the English translation, yet, if you hover over a word you will still see it’s meaning.
• We chose the reciter  Mahmoud Khalil Al-Husary(Muallim)
• We chose Sahih International English translation
• We chose translation in the tooltip display.  For learning Arabic, it is best not to use transliteration if possible.
• You can also adjust the font size.

At the bottom, left-hand side of the webpage are the audio controls

• Clicking on the circular arrows will open controls to loop and repeat the range you choose and the number of repetitions you would like.
• When we tested the continuous recitation, we noticed a glitch with the underlining of the words as they are recited.  

Another website useful for seeing the tajweed script and allowing for looping the audio is:

Quran for Listening, Learning, and Practicing

Sisters who practice their reading in sha Allah will have an opportunity at the next Halaqa to have a sister listen to their recitation.

Tajweed rule

Sister Maryam mentioned how to stop at the end of a verse and how to stop inside a verse.

Sister Sara mentioned the difference between thickening letters (tafkheem) and lighter letters (tarqeeq).

During this session, we realised the need to be systematic in our study of Tajweed. Alhamdulillah, Sister Dania has volunteered as a Halaqa Helper in this area.  

Alhamdulillah, we have chosen to follow the course Read with Tajweed which also offers an Android app.  For iPhone users who would like an app, we are suggesting Quran Teacher

• QURAN RECITATION AND REFLECTION

The sisters voted overwhelmingly to limit the recitation of each sister and also to fix the amount of Quran we cover.  The majority choose one page.  

We have decided to have each sister read at the most one-half page and we will only read from one page each Halaqa, in sha Allah, thus the sisters will be reading the same page, each with her individual ability.  This repetition in sha Allah will help us to improve our recitation and recognition of the Arabic letters in sha Allah.

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 Yusuf from Ayah 31 to Ayah 37.  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.

We read an English Approximation (Sahih International) of the above verses.

We have chosen to use Tafsir Ibn Kathir for our Tafsir.

Volume 5 Page 159-166 (From our library shelf)

We only had enough time to review Ayah 31

Here is a link: http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=876&Itemid=67

• SURVEY RESULTS: BOOKS TO FOLLOW

We reviewed the survey. The top book was Don’t Be Sad. Three books were next. Two from the Family Category and another Spiritual/Motivational. Women Around the Messenger was ranked highly.  We have chosen 4 of the top books for our Halaqa.  These books will be covered systematically, either through direct readings or summaries prepared by our Halaqa Helpers. In sha Allah, these books will also be the basis of discussion sessions.

Post-Halaqa, the Halaqa Team discussed the issue of copyright and the correctness of sharing free pdf’s available online as the websites may not have the permission of the author.  Some scholars say it is permissible to use these free pdf’s for your personal use or for dawah, but it would be best to purchase. We therefore decided to avoid sharing the free pdf’s so we won't be accountable for sharing somebody's intellectual property without right. Instead, we will provide a link for purchasing the pdf at a low cost, or purchasing the book. Also if the book is available to borrow from our library we will let you know in sha Allah.   There is however one of our books which does not have a copywrite clause in the book.  One of our members has the hardcover version and has confirmed this, so therefore, in sha Allah, we will share the free PDF for that book, NURTURING EEMAN IN CHILDREN.

Survey link

• WOMEN AROUND THE MESSENGER

This book is available to borrow short term from one of our members.

Sister Halima has prepared a summary of the Introduction in the Book.

Here is the link

In sha Allah, we will be going through this book systematically using short summaries prepared by our Halaqa Helpers

• DON’T BE SAD

Link to the purchase pdf: https://iiph.com/islamic-ebooks/dont-be-sad-ebook-edition.html

We have this book in our Library (it is currently borrowed, but you can submit a request to

borrow, in sha Allah)

We read the Introduction to the First Edition (of the Arabic Version) written by the book's

author: ‘Aidah ibn Abdullah al-Qarni  In sha Allah, we will read a small section during each

Halaqa followed by a discussion.

Page 23- 25 on the PDF

• NURTURING EEMAN IN CHILDREN

Link to the free pdf: https://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single/en_Nurturing_iman_In_Children.pdf

This book is available to borrow short term from one of our members.

We decided to begin with this book in the Family Category and in sha Allah, once we complete

it, plans are to move to the “Children Education in Islam” in sha Allah

We read   The Solution from The Introduction: Pages 18-20

• If any of our members would like to volunteer to prepare summaries for this book, please let us know.

• A TEMPORARY GIFT

We read the back cover and the inside accolades to introduce ourselves to this book.  In sha

Allah, we will read a small selection during each Halaqa followed by a short discussion. We

hope one day the author will attend our Halaqa and read in person.

Link to Purchase a pdf

Link to buy

• NEXT HALAQA and News

In sha Allah, our next Halaqa will be on Thursday October 5th at our Headquarters in sha Allah.

Alhamduililah, there is a new intense Free Online Arabic Course starting up very soon in sha Allah.  If you are interested in learning more about this course, please contact us for more details.

In sha Allah we will be starting a private online forum (members only) for post-Halaqa discussions. If you would like to participate please let us know.

• Dua al Ghayb

We made dua for a family whose son has cancer

• VIDEO

We quickly mentioned two video series to follow  on a rotating basis:

The Beginning and the End Sheikh Omar Suleiman 8:27

• Beginning and End is a series based on the book بداية و نهاية‎,. Sheikh Omar Suleiman goes through this entire text weekly to bring stories and reminders to you.
• A series of 70 short videos. Link to playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLutdSTmJ7bALsUhQRrcMIMLXbG6GPXpGv

Stories of the Prophets Sheikh  Abdul Nasir Jangda 8:01

• A series of 12 short videos. Link to playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPW7nn9Wmb4PjzmFq42nfdr-u7GsapKk

• 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.

The Story of Prophet Yusuf…

The story of Prophet Yusuf (as) was revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw); this came at a time when the Muslims were facing great persecution in Makkah and the Prophet had suffered two major losses: the death of his first wife and strongest supporter, Kadijah (ra) and another of his strongest supporters, his uncle, Abu Talib.

This story is one of attraction that arouses interest as it deals with deception, jealousy, pride and passion.

Stories in the Qur’an are usually told over several chapters; however, the story of Yusuf is unique. It was revealed in one chapter from beginning to end and is the only place in the Qur’an where this story is mentioned.

This story is of the best narrations, Allah tells us in the Qur’an in the third ayah of Surah Yusuf,

“We relate to you, O Muhammad, the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’an although you were, before it, among the unaware.”

As we move through the years of Yusuf (as) life in his story we learn of the ups and downs he faced from childhood to adulthood.

The story of Yusuf begins with a dream and ends with its interpretation.

Yusuf told his father, Ya’qub, he dreamt he saw the moon, the sun and eleven stars prostrating to him, as a means of humbling themselves to him.

“[Of these stories mention] when Joseph said to his father, “o my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.” (S. Yususf, ayah 4)

“He said, “O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy.”

(S. Yusuf, ayah 5)

Ya’qub tells his son, Yusuf, not to disclose his dream to his brothers because his brothers were jealous of him; they believed their father loved Yusuf more than them. Because Ya’qub was a prophet himself he had special insight and knew his other sons would inspire against Yusuf if they knew that Yusuf had special qualities.

The jealousy of Yusuf’s brothers drove them to throwing Yusuf into the bottom of a well and leaving him there then returning to their father, Ya’qub, with a lie that a wolf had killed and eaten Yusuf.

The essence of this Surah is sabr, patience, in the face of adversity.

Known Islamic scholar, Ibnul Qayyim, told us that sabr means, having the ability to stop ourselves from despairing, to refrain from complaining, and to control ourselves in times of sadness and worry.

Many lessons have been derived from Surah Yusuf, Ibnul Qayyim, was able to derive 1,000 from this story alone.

We have chosen 2 lessons that we derived from the beautiful narrative of Yusuf (as):

Sabrun Jameel & Tawakkul

SABRUN JAMEEL

One of the lessons we learn from the story of surah Yusuf is patience, specifically beautiful patience. In ayah 18 of surah Yusuf we learn,

"And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe."

Sabr itself means self-control and literally it means: hasbun nafs, which is restraining ones self.

We are restraining ourselves from displaying a negative reaction at the first strike of a calamity, from complaining, wrong desires and saying the wrong words at time of anger and distress.

The next part of patience that we are looking at is the beautiful aspect of it, and to further understand this, we will again look at the words grammatical form.

Jameel means, beauty

Jameel when used for an action means, “ajmala fil aml” which is, to do something in the best possible way. Therefore, to do that action in the highest of standards. This is the patience in which there are no complaints. Sometimes we exhibit patience in a situation but we complain about it to people.

Ya’qub (as) accepted the situation entirely without complaining. He does not yell, argue or rebuke his sons. Rather he realizes this my test, so sabrun jameel; patience is most fitting. He then turns to Allah swt for help. Which brings us to our next lesson.

Tawakkul (the reliance upon Allah):

This turning to Allah for help is tawakkul. Tawakkul is the dependence with the heart upon Allah, for bringing what is of benefit and repelling what is harmful.

When you want something for yourself, something good: wealth, children, status, as long as you rely upon yourself you will feel anxious, will I have it? But when you rely upon Allah, and say to yourself, I will do my best and He will facilitate and provide for me, you are able to take the risks necessary to attain what it is you want or need to face.

Tawakkul allows you to do good, sacrifice and keep away from sin.

In Surah Yusuf, ayah 86, Ya’qub (as) gives us a great example of tawakkul,

He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know. (Yusuf 12:86). 

After years and years of Ya’qub not seeing or hearing anything of Yusuf he never gave up hope in Allah that they would reunite, that his duas would be answered and so Ya’qub instructed his sons to go out and search for Yusuf. As we learn in ayah 87,

“O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief from Allah. Indeed no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.”

After so many years had passed Allah answered the dua of Ya’qub (as) and reunited him with Yusuf.

Yusuf was finally reunited with his father and mother and brothers that put him into the well, upon the reunion Yusuf’s father, mother and brothers humbly prostrated to him, thus the meaning of the interpretation of the dream becomes known:

“And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself [i.e., embraced them] and said, “Enter Egypt, Allah willing, safe [and secure].”

(S. Yusuf ayah 99)

“And he raised his parents upon the throne, and they bowed to him in prostration. And he said, “O my father, this is the explanation of my vision of before. My Lord has made it a reality. And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you [here] from Bedouin life after Satan had induced [estrangement] between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise.”

(S. Yusuf ayah 100)

So be patient with a beautiful patience:

Now relate this to our lives; sometimes we lose control of our children, instead of blaming ourselves or going into depression, turn to Allah for help, have sabr & tawakkul and at least your reward is secured with Allah.  

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity reaches him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him". (Muslim)

Presented by Sr. Mariyan, Sr. Sofia & Sr. Tamara

Students from Al Huda TQE7