Thursday, December 18, 2014

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 Screen Shot 2014-04-25 at 12.48.19 PM.png


  • 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:
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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:
  • 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
Allah is Near   Nouman Ali Khan (12:25)


  • CLOSING DUA
To listen to the Dua: Click here then choose Dua 084


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.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Giving Advice in Islam and our Duties as Muslims to do this

Presented by: Sister Rim


We live in a society and time where we are taught to mind our own business and not interfere with what other people are doing.  We see what people do, comment to ourselves or others , but rarely offer any constructive advice.  However, as Muslims it is our duty to give advice to one another.....


In surah Al-Imran Allah says:


كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ ۗ وَلَوْ آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ ۚ مِنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ


Kuntum khayra ommatin okhrijat lilnnasi tamuroona bialmaAAroofi watanhawna AAani almunkari watuminoona biAllahi walaw amana ahlu alkitabi lakana khayran lahum minhumu almuminoona waaktharuhumu alfasiqoona


Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. If only the People of the Book had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors.


So we can note from this that giving advice, by enjoining what is right, is one of the things that sets us apart as Muslims.


It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:


“The rights of one Muslim over another are six.” It was said: What are they, O Messenger of Allaah? He said: “If you meet him, greet him with salaam; if he invites you, accept the invitation; if he asks for advice, give him sincere advice; if he sneezes and praises Allaah, say Yarhamuk Allaah (may Allaah have mercy on you); if he falls sick, visit him; and if he dies, attend his funeral.”


Ash-Shawkaani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: What is meant by the words “The rights of the Muslim” is that they should not be omitted and doing them is either obligatory, or recommended to such an extent that it is very similar to being obligatory and should not be omitted. The word “right” (haqq) may be used in the sense of obligatory, as was mentioned by Ibn al-A‘raabi. (Muslim)
As Muslims we are required and obligated to offer sincere advice when we see our brother or sister doing wrong and to promote good behavior and morals.  However, not all of our advice giving is done correctly and may actually deter someone from taking our advice and become defensive.
Tips for giving advice: