Thursday, November 20, 2014

Learning Arabic ~ An Amanah Sisters Initiative

An Amanah Sisters Initiative

  • Classes Database

Recently Amanah Sisters emailed a link to an online intensive course for learning Arabic.  This info was shared with us by one of our Alumni members.  Frequently, we do get requests from sisters about classes for learning Arabic.  Some would like in-person classes or private tutoring and some are more comfortable in an online setting.  Amanah Sisters would like to build up a database of various locations for learning Arabic and we would like our members to participate in this endeavour.  If you know of a class happening, please reply in the comments below or send us the details in the Suggestion Box on the right of your screen.. Alternatively you can forward the details to our email address.  Classes can take any form and be for any level.  In sha Allah, we can build up a selection of options for our members to look through.
  • Learning together project

Amanah Sisters are proposing a “learning Arabic together ” group for like minded sisters who would like to learn Arabic from the comfort of their home. Amanah Sisters would like to see if any of our members are interested in joining with other sisters to follow along an online course (from our database) jointly. We could share notes and our progress with our fellow students and occasionally meet either in person or online.  Each sister could proceed at her own pace, yet knowing that she is part of a group. Also, this group would utilize  “native” Arabic speaker volunteers who could act as personal tutors to help with issues of pronunciation etc. Of course, this is only a proposal and would be further refined depending on the interest shown. Let us know your thoughts and ideas so that in sha Allah, we can further refine this project.


  • Teaching
The Learning Arabic together project described above would require “native” Arabic speaker volunteers who could be called upon by the students when specific questions arise or to check pronunciation etc.  This could involve as little as touching base with one specific sister or being in touch with multiple sisters etc.  By using a pre-existing course, your involvement would be simplified to just augment what is taught online. This could even be conducted via phone.  If you want to get involved or have other thoughts/ideas for this project, please get in touch with us.

Halaqa # 16


Learn Arabic/Teach Arabic

   

Attendance:

  • 7  Sisters
  • 1  Junior Sister

Location:  Headquarters

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


  • OPENING DUA
'Asbahnaa wa 'asbahal-mulku lillaahi Rabbil-'aalameen, Allaahumma 'innee 'as'aluka khayra haathal-yawmi: Fathahu wa nasrahu wa noorahu, wa barakatahu, wa hudaahu, wa'a'oothu bika min sharri maafeehi wa sharri maa ba'dahu.

We have entered a new day and with it all the dominion which belongs to Allah, Lord of all that exists. O Allah, I ask You for the goodness of this day,2 its victory, its help, its light, its blessings, and its guidance. I seek refuge in You from the evil that is in it and from the evil that follows it.

Reference:
1 For evening recitation, say here: Allaahumma 'innee 'as'aluka khayra haathihil-laylati: "My Lord, I ask You for the good things of this night."
2 Abu Dawud 4/322. Its transmission chain is good (Hasan). See also Ibn Al-Qayyim, Zadul- Ma'ad 2/273.
Source: Number 89 on the webpage: http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/Fortress/027.html

  • 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 187  till Ayat 215.  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
Sisters took turns reading aloud the following article:

TEN REASONS WHY MUSLIMS SHOULD LEARN ARABIC

By:  AMIENOELLAH ABDEROEF.
  • LEARN A DUA

Dua while studying something difficult:
اللهم لا سهل إلا ما جعلته سهلا أنت تجعل الحزن إذا ما شئت سهلا
"Allahumma la sahla illama ja-'altahu sahla anta taj 'alu al hazana eza ma shi'ta sahal."
"Oh Allah! Nothing is easy except what you have made easy. If you wish, you can make the difficult easy."

  • TECH TIP
While surfing the net preparing for this halaqa Sister Winnie came across a site she thought our members might find interesting and considering the weather, relevant.  The site is for Masjid Al-Eiman the Buffalo mosque. (click here for the link)  Masha Allah, it has many informative sections including some for learning Arabic (just the letters or an entire course).  Have a look around their site, in sha Allah, you will find something to interest you.

  • LEARNING ARABIC:     An Amanah Sisters Initiative
    • Classes Database
    • Learning Together Project
    • Teaching
To learn more about this project, click here.
  • VIDEO
The Importance of Arabic Language -(13:57) Nouman Ali Khan


  • DISCUSSION
The sisters present debated the issue of using authentic Dua’s from the Quran and Sunnah versus ones that are made up by the sisters,  for our opening and closing dua sections.  It was an interesting discussion and we decided to use only authentic Dua’s from the Quran and Sunnah for our opening and closing Dua’s.

  • CLOSING DUA
Taken from today’s Quran reading
To listen to this dua click here

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Waminhum man yaqoolu rabbana atina fee alddunya hasanatan wafee al-akhirati hasanatan waqina AAathaba alnnari

And from those who say, "Our Lord! Grant us in the world good and in the Hereafter good, and save us (from the) punishment (of) the Fire."



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, November 6, 2014

Halaqa # 15

Reconciling Hearts


Attendance:
  • 3  Sisters
  • 1  Junior Sister
Location:  Headquarters
Agenda: (please note, we have included many links where you can read in detail more on each subject)


  • OPENING DUA
Oh, Allah, open our hearts, allow us to benefit from the knowledge we are about to listen to, cleanse our souls and make our intentions pure for You alone.  Guide us along the right path and heal our differences and estrangements. 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 Baqarah from Ayat 177  till Ayat 186.  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 Winnie read aloud the following article:
Muslimah Dilemma: Mending your relationships written by Tasnim Nazeer

Source:
  • LEARN A DUA

  • TECH TIP
Highlighting the Muslim Marriage Guide website which featured the article in our first talk.  This site has many categories including family life and parenting.  It is run by Pure Matrimony which is


“....the World's Largest Muslim Matrimonial Website Exclusively catering for Practising Single Muslims.  Furthermore, Pure Matrimony is backed by several world renowned Islamic Scholars and the World's Largest Dawah Organisations in the West…..  “
  • VIDEO
Forgive and Forget - Very Inspiring by Majed Mahmoud  (47:36)
  • CLOSING DUA
Oh, Allah, remove hatred and distrust between your servants and enable us to love each other for your sake, Ameen.

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.