Halaqa # 6: Brother Usama Canon

Pictures and more from our weekend program with Brother Usama comin' soon!

Halaqa #5: Keep Changing Our Condition

For this week's halaqa, Brother 'Isma continued the Agenda to Change Our Condition series. Click here to get a copy of the notes from his talk. Make sure to also check the sidebar for weekly updates from this series.

For our second topic, Sister Maha gave an inspirational talk on the life of Mus'ab ibn Umayr (may Allah be pleased with him), one of the first Muslims who sacrificed the comforts of his priviledged lifestyle for the sake of Allah. You can read more on his life here. Insha'Allah (God willing), we'll post the books and references for the various halaqa topics on the sidebar, so make sure to check back!

Halaqa #4: Changing Our Condition

This week's halaqa introduced two brand *NEW* topics:

1. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf's "Agenda to Change Our Condition" (Click here for more information on Shaykh Hamza and here to order the booklet.) Brother ‘Isma gave a brief and very necessary introduction to the book, which outlines the various diseases of the heart and their cures. He spoke of our need as young Muslims to rectify our current state of heedlessness to a state of absolute submission to the Creator and His will. The talk ended with a homework assignment challenging all of us to pray on time for forty days straight. If we miss a prayer, then we are to start from day one. This first lesson in Shaykh Hamza’s book is imperative and will insha’Allah pave the way to sucess in the upcoming exercises for our hearts.

Note, anyone who wants an in-depth course on the book should definitely attend Intensive Program in Houston March 19th and 20th - visit www.houstonintensive.com for more information.

2. Shining Stars of Islam (title borrowed from the Modern Muslima): A bi-weekly topic covering the lives of the people who were companions to the best of mankind-our Beloved Prophet (upon him be peace)-the Sahaba. Although we ran out of time this week to finish this talk, we'll pick up again at the next halaqa on the 18th.

InshaAllah these will be a regular part of future study circles.

Pictures from this week's halaqa:

Halaqa #3: Brother Saalik

This Friday was our first halaqa to host Brother Saalik Mustafa. He read from the commentary on the Imam Nawawi's (ra) collection of 40 Hadith and covered a variety of issues - from the importance of understanding the true meaning of La ilaha illa Llah to racism in our communities and seeking knowledge. InshaAllah we can him speak more often at the halaqa!

Pictures, courtesy of Saimah:

No Halaqa: MSA Poetry Night

Check out the video clips from Saimah's camera:
Amir Sulaiman - the end of Dead Man Walking
Ashiko Drummers

Halaqa #2: An Introduction

Halaqa Number 2 got off to a great start with talks from Sisters Sanjana Ahmad and Reem Abdelrazek and a very fun dawah GAME.

Sanjana spoke on the purpose of the halaqa and encouraged everyone to an effort to come to the masjid, on Friday nights, to spend time with our Muslims brothers and sisters and learn about the deen. Reem reviewed the adab (etiquette) of student and teacher. The dawah game was a hit with both the brothers and sisters, allowing us to practice answers to commonly asked questions about Islam.

Halaqa #1: Hajj Reflections

Guess who's back?! MSA Friday Halaqas! :)

Brothers Shadab Siddiqi and Mustafa Tamimi shared their experience on the hajj this year to a crowd of over 30 people. We had a great potluck dinner before the halaqa and everyone enjoyed the talks.