02/23/2020
A halaqa (Arabic: حلقة - 'circle / ring') in Islamic terminology is a religious gathering or meeting for the study of Islam and the Quran. Generally, there are one or more primary speakers that present the designated topic(s) of the halaqa while others sit around them (in an approximate circle) and listen. The attendees may participate in the discussions, ask questions, and voice concerns. Usually, prayers and supplications are part of such programs. Also, meals or snacks may be served to the participants.
Elements and Dynamics of a Study Circle
Importance and Need of Collective Learning:
Your journey through the Quran requires that you seek and join a community of quest and study. No doubt you will read the Quran individually, but your benefits will multiply, if you join in fellowship with other believers and seekers after the Quran. In collective study, the states of the heart may be intensified, and many minds joined together may understand the meanings better and more correctly. And, only by joining with others can you live fully the lives inspired by the Quran and discharge the mission that reading it enjoins upon you.
The Quranic teachings clearly and forcefully establish the link between its reading and the need for a strong, closely-knit community rooted in that reading.
Four Basic Rules of Collective Study in a Halaqah:
One: You must always make all the preparations necessary to fulfill your responsibility. Do not take your task lightly, do not postpone your preparation till the eleventh hour, do not consider a quick glance enough, never say anything about the Quran without having given it full consideration. It is always better to make note of what you have studied and what you want to say.
Two: Whether you are a novice or you already possess some knowledge, whether you have to give Dars (lecture) or participate in discussion in a circle, do a study on your own of the selected part.
Three: Always keep your intention right, that is, understand and live the Quran in order to seek Allah’s pleasure.
Four: Do not study together merely for pleasure, intellectual curiosity, or argument and discussion. Your studying the Quran together must result in your obeying the Quran together and fulfilling the mission it entrusts to you.
Guidelines to help make the group study effective:
One: One participant should, first, make a presentation of the results of his study.
Two: The rest should then join in, further elaborating, correcting, modifying, raising questions, or providing answers.
Three: If all the participants are required to study, then you may either designate beforehand who will do the presentation; this will result in better standards of presentation. Or, call upon anyone present to do the presentation; this will keep everyone alert and working hard
Four: It will always be useful if at least one member of the circle is more knowledgeable and has access to sources. He or she would, then, during the discussion, overcome any deficiencies and shortcomings in the original presentation.
Five: If one participant who is learned in the Quran participates, he/she should not intervene from the beginning. Rather he/she should let the participants say what they want to say, and only then, gently correct them if they are wrong, or add to their knowledge. His/her method should be suggestive and interrogative rather than discursive.
Six: Towards the end, one member, preferably the leader or teacher should always sum up the broad message of the passage, its main themes, and its call to action.
B. About the Participants:
One: The number of participants should be 3-10; with no great difference in the levels of their knowledge and intelligence.
Anything less will make it a dialogue, anything more may hinder the active participation of everyone.
Two: The stress should always remain on the message, context and lessons to be drawn. Never get entangled in fine points, which have no relevance to real life.
Three: All participants should be fully aware of their aims, limitations and procedures.
Four: All participants should have the necessary commitment and realize that time, attention, and hard work will be required.
Therefore, regular preparation and attendance are observed.
Five: All participants should know how to find their way through the Quran.
Six: The group members should not sit as strangers, but as brothers or sisters in faith in the Quran, committed to understanding and obeying it.
Seven: Try to have these Halaqas/study circles on weekly basis, to maintain the consistency in the application of knowledge gained at these meetings.
HALAQAH :
Ideas on a variety of Activities that can be done by Halaqah members:
[Note: You may pick and choose any of the following activities, according to the schedules, circumstances, and interests of your Halaqah members. Much more can be added to this list. A variety and rotation in the types of activities is essential in order to maintain the interest of members and strengthen their bonds.]
· STUDY CIRCLE: Which should be the main element of your Halaqah activities and should serve to bring about a change in the lives of your members?
· COMMUNITY WORK:
– helping out at a food bank
– shoveling the snow for old people
– visiting hospitals & old-age homes
– Participating in rallies & protests for just causes
– volunteering at an Islamic event
– cleaning up an Islamic center
– Raising funds, through a charity week drive, for the countries where Muslims are suffering
– Helping the homeless during the winter season
– cooperating with the non-Muslim organizations that campaign to raise the awareness of anti-social elements of this society, for example, the awareness of AIDS, drinking, bars, drugs……etc.
– Visiting the jails with a Muslim Chaplain….etc.
– SPORTS TOURNAMENTS/LEAGUES: Once in a month, your Halaqah may have a sports day, instead of a study circle. In summer, you may also arrange two month long Basketball or hockey leagues.
– QUIZ COMPETITIONS: Organize quiz competitions to motivate the Halaqah participants to learn more. They may also participate in the YM on-line quiz comp.
– DAWAH FIELD TRIPS: Go door-to-door or on a street to distribute Da’wah pamphlets and interact with the non-Muslims. It’s a lot of fun!
– EATING OUTSIDE: Once in a while go to the Halaal restaurants, as a group.
– FAMILY PICNICS OR IFTAR PARTIES: These family events serve to introduce the parents of all the Halaqah members, to each other.
– FREE TUTORING: The Halaqah members can tutor each other in any course or profession they may be good at, for e.g. math, biology, web-designing…etc.
– SLEEPOVERS: Serve to strengthen the brotherhood/sisterhood and train the members to become better Islamic workers. Sleepovers should be held at a local Masjid, and may also include some interactive Islamic study sessions, as well as collective voluntary prayers, called Qiyam-al-layl, or Night-vigil prayers.
– PRAYING AT A NEARBY MASJID: Brothers may carpool to a local Masjid to pray together, at least once a week.
– ISLAMIC AUDIO/VISUAL SESSIONS: Halaqah members may watch or listen to an Islamic lecture/documentary and have a discussion on its message.
HALAQAH:
A Check List of Do’s and Don’ts
Expectations of a Halaqah Co-coordinator
1. Try not to cancel a meeting, without a legitimate reason
2. Make sure every member / participant knows about the time, place, topic of the meeting, 2 days in advance.
3. Stay in front. Never dwindle into the background during a meeting.
4. Never discourage participation – unless it does not pertain to the issue at hand.
5. Try not to be late to the meetings – and if you are, have a backup.
6. Do not set a system of punishment for being late or absent from a meeting.
7. Never assume the role of only a leader or coordinator. Be a moderator, tension breaker, and commentator.
8. Don’t digress, ramble, or sidetrack.
9. Try to make the Halaqah meeting attractive and interesting to members. Create enthusiasm!
10. Maintain a firm contact with other Halaqah Coordinators to exchange ideas.
11. Never allow foul language / behavior to be tolerated during a meeting.
12. Never set a bad example – people WILL follow.
13. Avoid talking to the group – instead, talk with them.
14. Make them love you and Islam!
15. Never assume the responsibilities of running the group fully on your shoulders – delegate responsibilities.
16. Avoid being in the “Meeting mode” all the time – be conversational.
17. Keep it as youth-oriented as possible.
Expectations of Members / Participants
1. Respect the decisions of the Halaqah Coordinator.
2. Never be late to the meetings – call in advance if you expect to be late.
3. If given a job or duty, do it willingly, for the sake of Allah.
4. Be attentive and don’t be a passive participant. Try to absorb, reflect, and interact.
5. Don’t digress, ramble, or sidetrack.
6. Try to do some study of the topic or verses of the Quran to be discussed at the meeting, before you come.
7. Take notes on the presentations or study circle to stay focused.
8. Try to make the other Halaqah participants your true friends and brothers/sisters in Islam
9. Avoid being disagreeable – “Disagree without being disagreeable.”
10. Don’t speak for the sake of speaking.
11. Inform the Halaqah Coordinator if you are not coming.
12. Try to invite other friends to these Halaqas/study circles. Make a target of 5 people.
Some Tips on Leaderships Skills for a
HALAQAH COORDINATOR
What does a Halaqah Coordinator need to know and do?
Following is a list of few ideas and practices that we, as leaders of Halaqas or youth groups, may try to implement gradually to improve ourselves and our work for Allah’s sake.
WITH OTHERS:
1. Be as patient as possible with the participants of your Halaqah. Do not be pushy or critical with any member, unless the member is not conforming to the Halaqah policies. Allah tells us in the Quran, “Indeed, Allah is with those who are Patient (Sabireen).”
2. Try to be as humble as possible, in your character. There was no one more humble than our own Prophet (peace be upon him), and yet there was no leader greater than him! At the same time you must be firm when it comes to following the concepts of leadership, Shura’ (making decision with consensus), or Ihtisab (accountability).
3. Check personally when someone is not able to come to the Halaqah gathering.
4. Personally inform the brother/sister whose place the Halaqah activity/meeting is taking place and make sure that they avoid preparing food, which gives the idea of a party. Refreshments must be casual and simple.
5. Do not play ‘favorites’ with anyone or make any member feel left out.
6. Encourage participation and call on everyone to contribute something to the discussion. Learn how to honor people’s feelings and contributions, the way our Prophet (peace be upon him) did!
7. Observe & encourage their talents and potential for Islamic work!
8. Learn how to delegate responsibilities. A good leader is not the one who knows how to do everything, but it is the one who knows how to manage the tasks delegated to other members, and who knows how to keep others busy with beneficial activities. So assign some little responsibilities and tasks to every member of your Halaqah, to keep him/her motivated to work for Islam and to give him/her a sense of belonging.
9. Make sure that each member tries to develop a personal plan of improving as Muslims.
10. Be punctual and organized in everything you do. “Time is like a sword. So cut it (wisely) before it cuts you!” as Imam Ash-Shafiee used to say.
11. Spend some personal time with your members outside of Halaqah activities. Develop a bond of real friendship, love, and trust, to bring them closer to Islam, which is the real purpose of our work! You can only change people through these personal contacts and visits. Imam Ash-Shafiee also used say, “There is no pleasure greater than being together with the people and there is no sorrow greater than parting with them.”
12. Try to be very approachable and considerate so that your Halaqah members can share their secrets with you. They should come to you, without any hesitation, for counseling, for sharing their grief, and problems. You should try to solve their problems and correct their weaknesses, with love and wisdom. Do not forget that every person’s nature and background will be different. Therefore, you should be able to talk to people at the level of their psychology and their understanding/practice of Islam. This is one of the most essential qualities of an Islamic leader.
13. Do not consider your work “youth work” only. “Young Muslims is not youth work, but youth doing the real work!” as Imam Khalid Griggs once advised us. Our work should be linked with activities in the actual Muslim community and the society at large.
14. “The Leader of a Nation is its servant,” said the Prophet (pbuh) in a Hadith. This is the purpose of a Halaqah and it’s leader, in a nutshell! Therefore, in order for you to be a real leader, you have to be an Islamic worker first!
Some Tips on Leaderships Skills for a
HALAQAH COORDINATOR (1)
What does a Halaqah Coordinator need to know and do?
Following is a list of few ideas and practices that we, as leaders of Halaqas or youth groups, may try to implement gradually to improve ourselves and our work for Allah’s sake.
· A Coordinator or any Muslim at leadership level should strengthen his/her relationship with Allah, through improving his/her personal Ibadah (worship) and regular reading of Quran. Establishing some Sunnah (practices of the Prophet (peace be upon him)) in daily life really helps.
· Work with the awareness that Allah is watching all your actions, and therefore develop Taqwa (God-consciousness) in every sphere of your life. Remember that Allah will question you about those who were under your leadership and guidance. Therefore, you need extra help from Allah to carry out your responsibilities!
· Remember! This work of Allah’s Deen is not going to be easy! That’s why the Prophet (peace be upon him) has told us in a Hadith, “This world is like a prison for a believer,” filled with hardships. Shaytan will always try his best to distract us from this hard work. Our Iman (faith) will be tested! Therefore, our trust in Allah’s promises must be strong enough to repel all sorts of evil intentions from our hearts. If at some point in life, you realize that your Islamic work is not requiring that much sacrifice of your time, energy, or thinking, then it means there is something wrong with the strength of your Iman or commitment to Islam. A great revolutionary leader of Islam, Syed Qutb, used to say, “There is no Islam, where there is no hardship.” He also once said, “In reality, Shaytan only attacks those who work and die for Islam.
· Thank Allah constantly at every milestone or success in your mission and for every bounty that Allah has blessed you with.
· You should try your best to at least do the following 5 things:
– Praying the Five daily Prayers (Salah) regularly, with full attention (Khushu)
– Reading the Tafseer (commentary) of the Quran preferably on a daily basis
– Reflecting upon the Aakhira (Hereafter) and asking Allah’s forgiveness
– Helping someone in the family or community, with any task, for Allah’s sake
– Doing some collective physical activities, on regular basis, to maintain a good health and to strengthen the brotherhood/sisterhood with other Muslims
· Islam must be your first priority!Imam Abul Ala Maududi, a prolific leader and thinker of Islam, used to say, “You should worry about the Islamic work, in a manner similar to a father worrying about his severely ill child.” Thus, the way a father of a sick child would not like to leave him/her, in this condition, with someone else to take care of, similarly, we, the Islamic movement workers, who really love Islam, can never leave Islamic work in a stagnant state! All of this will require some serious worrying, thinking and sacrifice on our part.
· And at the same time, you must be able to strike a balance between your academic studies, family affairs, entertainment activities, Islamic knowledge, and Islamic activism.
· Your target should not be the structures/buildings, but the masses, for the sake of Allah.Ustadh Khurram Murad used to say, “Think of this land (i.e. the West) as your own land. And only by saving each and every Muslim youth in this land, will you actually be able to save the future of Islam in North America!”
We need to think, plan, and work like the great intellectuals and revolutionaries of Islam. Our focus should be to work to establish Islam in this part of the world, according to the means available in this society, rather than developing hatred for this society in the hearts of Muslim youth and asking them to go back home to study or to establish Islam there. We should try to remove this ‘back-home’ approach toward the Islamic work, and should live as the ambassadors of Islam in this part of the world, spreading Allah’s message using any tools or media available. However, we should not act as ‘Rejectionists’ or ‘extremists’ either, I.e. at the same time we should learn how to respect the valid traditions of Muslim countries and implement them in our lives and the Islamic work here.
· All the Islamic knowledge that we gain from Halaqas should be reinforced and complemented by Islamic activism in any field possible.
This knowledge should move our hearts and bodies to action in the society. On the other hand, we shouldn’t exhaust ourselves with activism to the extent that it would make us neglect our obligation towards our own personal training and accountability (Ihtisab).
· Do as much personal reading of Islamic books, as possible, to clarify the concept of Islamic work. Reading makes you think!
· “Our problem, in the Muslim community of North America, is not necessarily that we have a lack of Islamic knowledge ………. But the real problem is that we have lost the real vision and understanding of the Mission of Islam!” says Imam Khalid Griggs, a N. American Muslim leader, activist, and a scholar. Therefore, we must be very clear about the priorities and demands of Islamic work in Canada or North America.
