Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 marked the beginning of the Montreal Sisters Halaqa, in Saint-Laurent. Montreal has seen the onset of various halaqas, some more successful than others - with a regular attendance of committed members who have a great zeal to grow as individuals and Muslims within a healthy communal environment.
Saint-Laurent also had it's very own [English] sisters halaqa, which was held bi-weekly at the Amal Women Center http://www.amalwomencenter.ca/. I had attended it twice myself and benefited greatly, alhamdulillah. It was mainly given by sisters Noor Jehan and Tasneem Ghauri [who is now in Malaysia | we miss her!]. Inevitably, due to a lack of attendance amongst other reasons, it slowly came to an end. A year or so went by without any official Saint-Laurent halaqa running for the sisters and at last alhamdulillah, this much needed halaqa was launched.
The Sisters Halaqa is set up in a way that we try to make the most of the little time we have every week [it runs for an hour but inshaAllah, as spring & summer come around, we intend to make the halaqas longer!]. It is divided in two parts, the first half hour is reserved for the halaqa/reminder and the last 30 minutes are reserved for a group discussion on either the halaqa itself, another topic of interest that is set beforehand, a video that is shown at the halaqa, an article, etc.
At this first halaqa we were blessed and honoured by the company of 20 sisters. The halaqa was given by sister Noor Jehan on the topics of Allah (SWT), Iman and Allah (SWT)'s forgiveness. The halaqa was kept general as it was the first one and we wanted to keep it light. Next Sunday we will cover in more depth the topic of "Who is Allah (SWT)", inshaAllah. I believe that topic to be very important and at the heart of the solution for many dilemmas Muslims face today - whether it's an imaan crisis or simply a plethora of theological questions that come to cause confusion and hopelessness. For if we really know who Allah (SWT) is- mind you it is only through actually knowing someone that one can love them; our Iman is strengthened and it becomes simple and easy to follow His commandments.
Ibn Taimiyah said: "The heart will not find complete happiness except by loving Allah and by striving towards what is dear to Him. It is not possible to achieve this love except by rejecting all things that compete with it. This is what the words, 'There is no god but Allah' mean; this is the spirit of the deen of Ibrahim and of that of every other prophet." (Ibn Taymiyyah)Alright, so here are a few GEMS [Greatly Enlightening Moments] from the halaqa, I pray they can be of benefit, inshaAllah! :)
*Halaqa*
- "A listener can be better than a speaker" - shaykh Ahmed Shehab
- "We focus so much on the commandments of Allah [SWT] and the sunnah of Muhammad [SAW] - quoting them left and right, but in reality how much do we really know ABOUT them? Sadly, we have veiled Allah [SWT] behind His commandements, and the prophet Muhammad [SAW] behind his sunnah." [Me, inspired by Naznin P.]
- Islam came to the prophet Muhammad (SAW) piece by piece...bit by bit. It was revealed partially in Makkah and partially in Madinah; the first part which was revealed over a period of 13 years in Makkah, emphasized the establishment of the monotheism doctrine, the prophethood of Muhammad (SAW) and the reality of the Day of Judgement. And the last part which was revealed in Madinah, focused on establishing Islamic laws, ethics, morals, marital and family laws, monetary transactions, and relationship of Islam and Muslims with other world religions.
- Some of us are born Muslims, others come to Islam later on in their lives...but all of us must choose Islam. Being born in the religion doesn't make anyone Muslim. One must choose to be a Muslim.
- Are we grateful to Allah (SWT) for Islam? Or do we take it for granted?
- Allah (SWT) does not give guidance to the one who doesn't seek it. One must have an inner desire for guidance. Also, guidance cannot be force onto someone.
- Daily, we recite surah al-Fatiha at least 17 times in our salah. The 6th ayah of this surah is "Ihdinassirat al mustaqeem" [Guide us to the Straight Path]...we recite this even if we are already Muslims. Allah (SWT) commands us to seek His Guidance, because this Guidance can be taken away at any moment. Alhamdulillah for His Guidance, may our last utterance be la ilaaha ilallah Muhammad rasul Allah, say ameen :)
- How much do we love Allah (SWT) and Muhammad (SAW)? Rather the first question should be - 'have we allowed any familiarity to grow?' since it is only through knowing, that one can love.
- The love Allah (SWT) has for a mu'min/believer is unconditional - 70x greater than the love of a mother for her child.
- Allah (SWT) is not vengeful, rather He is the Most Forgiving - even when He disciplines us.
- Allah (SWT) gives and forgive; man gets and forgets.
- Through Salah and dhikr [remembrance/invocation, mentioned over 100x in the Qur'an], we keep a constant connection with Allah (SWT).
- Learn to trust Allah (SWT) - He is the All Loving and the Allah-Merciful. Once you realize this, it will become easier to surrender to Him, inshaAllah.
- Sister Noor Jehan shared with us a few words from her sister Halima (rahimahullah - she passed away due to cancer). After the cancer came back, Halima (rahimahullah) said: "It's back. Alhamdulillah alaa kulli haal (All praise be to Allah, in every condition)." What can be a more beautiful sign of complete surrender?
May Allah (SWT) grant our beautiful sister Halima jannatul firdaus, and may we all be united therein with her. Allahumma Ameen.
*Discussion*
For the discussion part, since it was the first day, and we had a few late arrivals [some sisters we're running on ATS - Arabic Standard Time ;)] we couldn't allocate much time to this part of the halaqa. We did get to discuss a few things, mainly our concept of punishment in Islam, how we deal with tests and trials - it was beautiful how sisters shared their thoughts and stories, alhamdulillah.
I also showed the following promo trailer starring Usama Canon from Ta'leef Collective - it gives a glimpse of his amazing initiative, something we will strive to work towards (with your help) at this halaqa inshaAllah! :)
See you all next Sunday inshaAllah! :)
- Nafeesa Salar
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