Neighborhood Halaqa | Winter Edition

Inspired by the way of the Prophetic community, the intention of the Neighborhood Halaqa is to come together for the purpose of remembering Allah and reflecting on Prophetic character. Every member of a family and community is invited to travel together in spiritual development and to improve our relationship with Allah, His messenger, and our faith.

The Neighborhood Halaqa is our humble effort to provide a sanctuary for children, young adults, parents, and professionals to come together to travel on this path together.

For this special in- person Winter Neighborhood Halaqa, we wanted to have a sense of a rihla or travel in search of knowledge (in this case, also travel to seek good company or suhba :). This, so that we can get away from the day-to-day grind we have all experienced. We are big on nature and Allah’s natural world at Sanad Trust, so the other main objective was to be in a setting which embraces us with His beautiful natural world. Finally, we wanted all this to be safe. Sixteen distinct natural communities create the mosaic that is Jonathan Dickinson, the largest state park in Southeast Florida. So we have plenty of space and the largest pavilion in the park reserved.

More details about the program can be found on the website.

https://sanadtrust.networkforgood.com/events/39230-the-neighborhood-halaqa-winter-edition-2022

On Sunday, January 13, Mufti Hussain Kamani joined us at Sanad Learning Center in order to describe a day in the life of The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). The class began in the name of Allah (s.w.t.) with a correction of our intention. This is where Mufti Hussain reminded us that our actions and the seminar were for the sake of Allah, nothing less, as all our actions are. In the seminar we went over how The Prophet (s.a.w.) spent his day, beginning with the nafl prayer of tahajjud and ending well into the night of The Prophet (s.a.w.). The class was primarily based off of a book written by Darul Hikmah Research and Development Team, with reference and citations acknowledging where the material was gathered from, along with anecdotes and instances that further explained the written content of the book provided.

After a half-day workshop we were asked to write down our reflections on the seminar along with lessons we may have learned throughout the day. In terms of the seminar, itself, the atmosphere was wholesome, dialogue was unrestricted, and our speaker was beyond competent. Mufti Hussain was animated and lively, his words were purposeful and concise, he brought smiles and laughter from his students throughout the day, and he was neither exhaustive nor limited in insight on The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.). Mufti Hussain gave us basic knowledge on how to emulate The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) for he is the Beloved of Allah. The book Mufti Hussain wrote was well-written, keeping a simple style so as to be suitably didactic while conveying an important message; by relaying how the day of The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was spent we were instructed on how to manifest our love for him, how to grow in our love for him, and in turn how to gain the favor of Allah (s.w.t.).

It is hard to say if Mufti Hussain planned the anecdotes regarding The Prophet’s (s.a.w.) life or improvised, nevertheless, through them he provided a categorical breakdown of salat and supplication, decorum regarding visitation, the goings-on of family time and meal time, of business dealings and generally the actions that pertain to all people–the mundane rituals, the daily grind–in a manner that fortifies the walls erected between the faithful and the faithless. Piety and faith were encouraged through acts of worship, assuredly, but a distinct emphasis was placed on gentleness of manner and ease of heart.

On a more personal level of reflection, Mufti Hussain spoke with and of a tenderness in relation to The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h), the Beloved of Allah. I witnessed the portrait of a man who is warm-hearted as a husband and father, who wins over the heart of his enemies, he prays to be counted among the poor and supplicates throughout the day for himself and others. Allah loves him and takes pleasure in his actions, which is reason enough to love someone or something, but it is with understanding and reflection on his character and his humanity that my love grows for him, may peace be upon him.

By: Maryam Shakir
Sanad Learning Coach

 

Ramadan 1433AH/July 2012

Dear Miami Community, Assalamu Alaykum,

I am only two years old, but as you know I have been waiting to be born for decades. I have been in your hearts for a long, long time. Don’t you remember all those years together? I was patient with you while you established your families, businesses, and masajid. I wanted to help when you were struggling to raise your children in this environment, but it wasn’t my time. I’ve seen people who loved me pass away. I have seen the children who needed me grow old. Yes…we have been together a long time. In fact, I was even in the heart of a young man who came to Miami in 1980, when he was only two years old. Now, even he has a son who is two. You see, his son and I were born on the same day…that’s how I know. I love him and he loves me.

However, if we spent all these years together why don’t you recognize me now that I’m here? Is it because I wasn’t born from your heart? Does it matter…I thought we were one ummah? Is it the color of my skin? Really, is it race? Or is it my “ideology”? What does that mean? I thought I was Muslim like you. Is it because I am not as big as you like? Remember I am only two, I’m still growing. How big were you when you were my age? Was the first house you moved into very large? Maybe it was. Was our Deen as big as you want me to be when it was two? I thought you taught me that revelation first came in a cave. And before our nice masajid didn’t we first start praying in houses? You told me that was just like the Prophet (pbuh) too.

I heard I inspired a sister to be born up north, masha’Allah that’s good news. I know she tells everyone how good I am, how I changed the life of a family and child. She calls me a success story too. If that is the case, I don’t understand why she wants to take you away. Giving free rides to anyone who wants to leave. Isn’t love, cooperation, and support from the Quran and Sunnah? I’m only two…so I guess there is still a lot I have to learn. But, do you really want me to learn these things and do them too? I can do whatever you like; I can even do nothing if that’s what you want. I just thought I should be what Allah wanted me to be.

In fact, that’s why I have decided to speak and listen more to Him. I know that this year is not going to be easy, but there are people that still believe in me and know that I am still growing. Yes, they also have big, big dreams for me…but they know I am only two.

I am praying that in this Blessed Month you remember all the years we had together and join me too. I know what you want me to be, just give me some time and understand that I understand, I truly do. I promise to strive to be a place for your children to grow into happy, intelligent, and thoughtful Muslims. I will also continue to be a place where young Muslims who don’t feel comfortable anywhere else can come and be understood. New Muslims too can count on me to be a part of their family. All with Allah’s permission, insha’Allah.

I wanted to ask you to consider allowing me to serve more of your children this year, there is still time to join. It will be hard to find a place that will love them more. If you can help me in other ways please let me know, I will definitely need your support.

In the end, although I am young, I have learned a big lesson and I am grateful to you for this. Only Allah can determine my future and only He is the One who can turn hearts. It is this trust in Allah that gives me himma to move forward.

With love for Allah, His Messenger, and you too.

Sincerely,
Sanad
www.sanadtrust.org

Day One

10:00 to 10:15a Intention
Recitation of Arabic, English with understanding

10:15 to 10:45a Quran/Hadith

Recitation of Arabic, English with understanding. Faitha, Short Surah, Hadith from “Content of Character” (Printed out Surah’s)

10:45 to 11:00a Question/Answer of the Day

Ask students to discuss their interests and what type of questions they have in relation to their interests and/or being Muslim. Students write down questions privately and enter in “answer box”. Camp Coordinator provides answers to at least 1 or 2 questions a day after review and research of questions received on day 1 of camp.

11:00 to 12:30p Main Activity: Maze of Trust

Girl group and Boy group will design and draw their maze for the other group to complete. The maze will have to fit in a 15’ by 20’ area. Maze will be taped down by team. Each group will choose one member to be blind-folded and receive instruction from team to complete other groups’ maze. After blind-folding, team member is spun around and placed at beginning of maze. He/she will then receive direction (i.e. 1 step forward, turn right, 2 steps forward, etc.) by each of his/her team member one-by-one. Completion is goal, not time. Camp leader however should keep track of time to ensure both teams complete activity in full.

Supplies: Green Painters tape, construction paper, pencils, crayons, blind-fold, paper for journal entries, print out of surah’s , duo-tang

Learn about: trust, team work, creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, design.

12:30 to 12:45p Snack
Light snack and drink. No junk food please. Proper clean up. Encourage conversation.

12:45 to 1:30p Living Seerah

A discussion about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His life example shared in a way they can relate to, connect with, and live. Beginning with birth. Fiqh lesson when and where appropriate (eg. azaan, iqamah, wudu, taharah-properly cleaning oneself… etc)

1:30 to 1:45p Memorization (Printed out Surah’s)

Repetition of Short Surah read at beginning of day, with intention of memorization with proper pronunciation and understanding.

1:45 to 2:00p Journal (Paper for Journal entries)

Divide notebook paper in four squares, one for each day. Write or draw (for younger kids) what they learned today. They should be able to explain to someone with ease what they write or draw.

Sanad Prep Education
Wellness Programs
Community Programs