Halaqa # 134

Safar 18, 1441 AH

One makes a Difference!

Year 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Attendance: 

2 Sisters

1 Junior Sister                                                                           

Location: Amanah Room

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. 

O my Lord increase me in knowledge*.  رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا   Ameen

*Part of ayah 114 Surah Taha(20)

QURAN: READING

We read Surah Fatihah aloud altogether, then since we were only two sisters and in the process of learning Arabic.  We chose to listen to one Ayah at a time, taking turns reciting afterwards as best we could. Alhamdulilah, we completed the entire page using  Surah Al-Israa  recited by  Sheikh Husary  We read Surah Al-Israa verses 18-27.  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.  


QURAN: TAJWEED

We had a short review of the following signs

. 

Source: Alim mobile app

To read more about Tajweed click below:

Reach the Goal Via Tajweed Rules Compiled by Sister Maha Rashed

QURAN: TAFSIR

We read an English Approximation (Sahih International) of Surah Al-Israa (Chapter 17)  verses 18-27.

We have chosen to use Tafsir Ibn Kathir   Volume 5 

We read the third part followed by a discussion about praying for our parents. 

The Reward of Those who desire this World and Those who desire the Hereafter    Verse 18-21  pg 599-602

Do not associate Anything in Worship with Allah 

Verse 22 pg 602-603

The Command to Worship Allah Alone and to be Dutiful to One's Parents 

Verse 23-24 pg 603-605

Another Hadith Imam Ahmad reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:    pg 605

Another Hadith pg 606

Another Hadith pg 606

Another Hadith pg 607

Omissions committed against Parents are pardoned with Good Relations and Repentance    Verse 25 pg 607-8

The Command to maintain the Ties of Kinship and the Prohibition of Extravagance  Verses 26-28 pg 609-611

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

DON’T BE SAD

We read  Being Sad is not encouraged in our religion  Pdf pg 66 - 72

Discussion: We were surprised by concepts mentioned that we’ve never encountered and are not part of Islam.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

A TEMPORARY GIFT

We read: Love, Unravelling: Living with the Quran     page 112

Link to Purchase a pdf                Link to buy

Discussion:  Reading Quran for converts is especially difficult but Allah, swt rewards our efforts for each letter. 

News and Schedule

In sha Allah, Next Halaqa Thursday, November 7th.

Volunteer opportunity:  Sisters are most welcome to become more involved in our group.  Following are a few suggestions, in addition we welcome your ideas.  

• Organize a weekend/weekday gathering
• Assist in updating our website blurb  (just the wording only, tech knowledge is not needed
• Join the Halaqa team, proofreader, fact-checker, prep, etc, however, you would like to help.

FITNESS TIP

Submitted by Sister Areag:  

If going up/down 3 floors or less, take the stairs instead of the elevator.

SISTERS SHARE

Sister Raya’s new article about Postpartum Depression.

Find out the difference between “baby blues” and “postpartum depression”.  Learn coping strategies for new mothers, how family and friends can help and when to seek professional help. We encourage you to read and share with family and friends. 

ASMA UL HUSNA

We read the following four names from part 1. 

99 Names of Allah – Part 1 (Seeking help with Asma ul Husna ) Series

Part 1

BONUS

Our members each have our favourite apps on our phones.  Our GO-TO apps for Quran and Duas, Athan etc. Let’s share them to gather a database of recommended apps.

Please submit your favourites via email or WhatsApp.

CLOSING DUA

For the expiation of sins, said at the conclusion of a sitting or gathering. To listen to this dua click here

"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..

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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.

                                       

Nurturing Eeman in Children Chapter 3: (2/3)

The Basics of Parenting (part 2)

Gender roles

There is no superiority of one gender over the other. Superiority as a construct is actually measured in terms of righteousness and piety. Within this general framework, Allah has assigned specific roles for males and females in daily functioning. Each gender has been given specific qualities and traits to fulfil their respective roles.  This role differentiation is necessary for effective functioning of the family unit, since Allah has created systems with balance and order. The family is a system and it functions most efficiently when the laws of nature and the laws of Allah are implemented.

While this concept of traditional gender roles is also found in other world religious and cultural groups, the trend (or even norm) in many areas of the world is toward the elimination of such a distinct differentiation.  Muslims should be aware of this and cautious of the attempts being made to disrupt the traditional gender roles ordained by Allah.

The honourable role of motherhood

Motherhood is highly respected in Islam and is a means through which a woman may gain immense spiritual rewards.  Being a mother is the most valuable job in this worldly life, for she will raise the next generation and build a solid foundation for society. Her time will be spent in nurturing, instructing, and guiding — her primary duties as a mother. For this reason, she is given the honour and respect that she deserves.Allah has created this role specifically for women as part of His mercy. For this purpose, Allah has conferred upon women the unique qualities and characteristics necessary for effectual fulfilment of this role. Women tend to be more nurturing, compassionate, sensitive, and patient: all qualities needed to create a warm, loving, and peaceful atmosphere within the home.

Motherhood is a full-time career, entailing pregnancy, giving birth, breastfeeding, and many years of childrearing. These are sufficient responsibilities for one individual without adding the additional burden of having to provide for the family. It is part of Allah’s mercy that women are not required to work outside of the home to bring sustenance for their children.

Women and work

Building families must come first, as this is the main obligation for women. This notion should always be foremost in her mind. Having said that, being a mother does not necessarily preclude work outside of the home. There are some situations, however, where it may be necessary for a mother to work…..., the benefits must carefully be weighed against any harm that may arise.

There are several key guidelines that should be followed when making this decision:

1. a woman must first obtain consent from her husband, primarily due to the fact that he may have a broader perspective on how her work may influence the family and its functioning;

2. a woman must ensure that her home and children are properly taken care of and that there is no neglect in this aspect; her absence should not in any way cause harm to her family;

3. care must be taken to choose employment that is appropriate and fits with the special nature of the woman in accordance with the norms of Islamic law;

4. care must to taken to avoid jobs which may lead to transgression of the limits of Islam (such as excessive mixing of genders);

5. she must adhere to the principles of Islam with regard to her clothing and demeanour.

The role of fatherhood

The husband  is responsible for their physical welfare and wellbeing, which also entails a measure of safety and security. Due to this responsibility, the father is the authority in the family and the leader of the family unit and is worthy of due respect and obedience.

In cooperation with the mother, the father also attends to the spiritual, psychological, and intellectual socialization of their children which means that he must be involved in the training and rearing of his children.

Children need interaction and time with their father just as they do with their mother. The Muslim father is an inspiring role model, teacher, friend, and a source of practical advice.

A review on the impact on fatherhood by the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development shows that a child with an involved father has better social skills by the time s/he reaches nursery, performs better academically, and is less likely to have behavioural problems in the future.  Once again, scientific research attests to the wisdom of Islamic teachings.

Nurturing one’s own eeman

The lessons that are acquired over the course of reading this book are not only applicable to children, but to those holding the book as well. This is, in reality, one of the purposes of this endeavour. A long standing tenet in the education field is that we tend to learn the most by teaching others. Parents need to explore other means to enhance their eeman, whether it be through seeking knowledge (essential), increasing worship, or contributing to the Muslim community. Doing this will make the task of nurturing eeman in children all that much easier.

Free PDF Link

Halaqa # 39

Muharram  22, 1437

Mothers

Year 2

Attendance:

• 4 Sisters
• 2  Junior Sisters
• 1  Junior Guests

Location: Headquarters (upstairs)

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 163 till  Surah Al-Maaida
Ayat 2. 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

All our members “Alumni and Amanah” are daughters.  Some have moms living nearby, some 
far away; some have Muslim moms others don’t; some have moms who are still with them, 
others have moms who have departed this earthly world.  Whatever the situation, in sha Allah, 
this article will give you some ideas on how to honor and show your mom in new ways how 
much you love her. Sisters present read and discussed the following article.

Keeping In Touch: A Daughter’s Perspective

• LEARN A PHRASE

JAZAKALLAHU KHAYRAN

This is a statement of thanks and appreciation to be said to the person who does a favor. Instead of saying “thanks” (Shukran), the Islamic statement of thanks is to say this phrase. It’s meaning is: ” May Allah reward you for the good.”

It is understood that human beings can’t repay one another enough. Hence, it is better to request Almighty Allah to reward the person who did a favor and to give him the best.

Note:

Jazaak comes from the root word jazaa' (جزاء) which according to the popular Arabic-English dictionary, Al-Mawrid, has two meanings that are completely opposite to each other!

Thus jazaa' (جزاء) can either mean reward OR punishment.

So :"JazakAllah" can may either mean "may Allah reward you" or "may Allah punish you", while

"JazakAllah Khair" means ... "may Allah reward you with the Best / Good",

So the correct way is to say Jazakallah khair & not just JazakAllah. Though someone might say that the intention by saying JazakAllah is the same like JazakAllahu khayran, if it's so, then why not use the complete wordings as used by Prophet(salallahu alaihi wa sallam) and the Sahabas (radiAllahu Anhum), which is "JazakAllahu khayran" !

For more details on replies said to this phrase click here.

sources:

https://islamicink.wordpress.com/basic-islamic-phrases-terms/

https://www.facebook.com/idealmuslimyouth/posts/636066816427788

• NEXT HALAQA

In sha Allah, our next Halaqa will be held on Thursday November 19th, 2015 indoors  at our Headquarters upstairs from 10am-12 noon.  

Update:  Post-Halaqa this date needed to be changed to Nov. 17th, 2015.

• SISTERS TALK

Sister Sara and Sister Winnie jointly read the following article:

What does Islam say about "mothers"?

http://www.islamswomen.com/articles/mothers_in_islam.php

• TECH TALK

Sister Sara  discussed a website her friend Asmaa recently shared with her.

It is called    Sujood.co  (note .co not .com).  

Sujood.co offers a unique and excellent resource for finding appropriate Duas to match your current emotional state. You enter the emotion you're experiencing and it matches you with the appropriate du'a! Below is a video available on Facebook that shows you how to use the website. We hope and pray you find it or benefit, ameen!

Our true Identity video explaining Sujood.co

• VIDEO

UPBRINGING CHILDREN IN ISLAM - Yasir Qadhi 12:58

• 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.