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.

                                       

Finding Your Balance

Part 1: Lose the Wobble

Have you tried standing on one leg? Do you wobble back and forth? Balance exercises should be a part of your regular routine but what about Finding Balance in Your Life?

Do you wobble between activities, leaning towards one then another, maybe even falling down i.e. completely neglecting one area altogether?

It happens to me! Very recently, I received a gentle reminder that my balance was askew. So I thought about it. Why? How could I “practice” so that the wobbling would be reduced. For the physical, the answer is simple, just add in more balance exercises. But what about life?

The first thought should be “What are your activities?  List them. Then rewrite them according to priority. Now you have a framework or let's say a ladder. (Do you want to lose your balance on a ladder?) No, of course not, even a little wobble is scary.

Let's use this ladder of activities to keep your life in balance. Whenever you go to do something, ask yourself, Where is it on my ladder? If there are things above it, you may be wobbling. Try to the activity above and in sha Allah, systematically work from the top down and in sha Allah, you will have a safe landing.

Part 2: The 30 Minute Rule

Continuing the thoughts on Losing Your Wobble, once you have your ladder set up and you have set your priorities. An important step to do next involves time. When I get out of balance, most likely I spend way too much time in one area at the expense of many others. So I came up with the 30-minute rule.

I break my day into 30-minute slots. Mentally this is a real organizing boost as you are planning what to do next and next and next. Sure you can have 2 or 3 slots of the same thing but ideally taking a small break between slots of the same activity will help with focus and productivity.

This rule can be tweaked to suit your individual circumstances.

Could be 30,10 30,10 or a variation.

For me, 30 min slots are best with slight alterations for “watching a game”, “shopping”, Halaqas” etc. In those cases, mentally recognize the passage of each half hour.

Will this rule work for you? Maybe. Make Dua, adjust to fit your day and Believe it can work!

مفيدة جدا..

( نصائح من د. إبراهيم الفقي) رحمه الله
1 - نام كويس جداً
2 - اظبط المنبه و قوم صلى الفجر و ردد أذكار الصباح
3 - أول حد تشوفوه من عيلتك قوله كلمة حلوة تخليه يبتسم
4 - كوباية قهوة مع شوكولاتة بتحبها
5 . متستناش حاجة من أى حد
6 . بلاش تركز مع أى حاجة ممكن تضايقك " كبر دماغك "
7 . افتح موبايك و اكتب " Nice Day "
8. استغفر 1000 مرة
9. لو أى حد محتاج منك مساعدة ساعده حتى لو متعرفوش
10 . البس أكتر حاجة بتحبها فـ لبسك و أنت خارج
11. اتفرج على فيديو بيضحكك
12. اتصل بحد مكلمتوش من زمان و قولوه " وحشتنى " ^^
13. اتفرج على صورك و أنت صغير
14. حاول تنجز أى حاجة فـ يومك مهما كانت تافهه
15. حافظ على الصلوات الخمسة فـ مواعدها بالظبط
16. ازرع وردة فـ بلكونة أوضتك
17. حب نفسك و قول لنفسك " أنا بحبنى "
18. اسمع قرآن نص ساعة
19. امسك ورقة و قلم و ارسم أى حاجة حتى لو شخبطة " خرج احساسك"
20. أى حد تعرفه روح سلم عليه و ابتسم أول ما تشوفوه
21. خليك هادى و مرن و متفائل
22. اشترى كتاب حتى لو مبتحبش القراءة و اقرأ فيه لو صفحة
23. داوم على ذِكر الله طول اليوم
24. تصدق " أى مبلغ ، بسمة على وش طفل ، اتبرع بالدم "
25. متفكرش فـ أى حاجة بتزعلك ، انسى كل حاجة ^^
26. لو حد زعلان منك كلمه و قولوه أنا أسف " و الكاظمين الغيظ و العافيين عن الناس "
27. لو حد مزعلك سامحه من قلبك
28. حمام دافى
29. ركعتين قيام و وتر " اوتر "
30. متنساش الناس من دعائك و لك المثل
31. وردَك من القرآن اقرأه فـ أى وقت بس اوعى تنساه " 10 آيات على الأقل"
32. متنساش تتوضى قبل ما تنام و تقول أذكار النوم
33. قبل ما تنام راجع يومك تانى و لو محستش بتغيير حاول تانى
34. متنساش تظبط المنبه لصلاة الفجر
35.ابدأ يوم جديدمفيدة جدا....

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