Halaqah 20.7.2007

Ok here’s a recap of what was learnt during Halaqah season 1 which made its debut on last July 2007.  Upon a request from a sister, I am now writing it down here in wordpress. Forgive me if there’s any mistake or missing information, please excuse me because I am aging everyday and thus my memory sometimes can fail me quite badly

Do remember that all good things are from Allah and the bad from us.

Ok here goes …

After 12 years of absent from learning and studying, finally I embarked on this road again.  Thanks to encouragement from my sisters-in-Islam and our teacher, Sh. Maimunah who had graciously agreed to conduct the Halaqah class at Mamadewi’s abode.

The class started at 8.30 pm and class began by reciting the Asma’ul Husna and du’a.  Then our teacher, Muna, explained to us the meaning of “Halaqah”.

“Halaqah” means a circle, a big one,  whereby people sat in a circle together to discus topics on Islamic teachings.  In a “Halaqah”, participants are encourage to be active in the discussion and share knowledge with one another.

Because this was our first day of class, majority of us did not know one another so a sharing session or “ta’ruf” was held.  Each members introduced themselves by their name and how they got to know about this “Halaqah” class.  Altogether the first class start with 21 members in it.

Oh yes, our Halaqah lessons was based upon the book from Imam Al-Ghazali entitled “Bidayatul Hidayah”, loosely translated as *Beginning of Guidance” and our first lesson was the introduction of “intention” or “niat” in our every deeds.  We are encouraged to place “intentions” of doing whatever good deeds we are doing for the sake of Allah.  By doing so, we will be able to accumulate “barakah” or point of good deeds.

These deeds can be anything from daily routine job such as cooking for the family, going to school etc. and to religion matters such as zikir and praying.  As long as its something that will bring goodness to us and others, we are encourage to place the intention for the sake of Allah beforehand.

Second lesson for the day was the lesson of the 3 knots that the devil tied behind us every night when we are asleep.  This was related in the hadith as follows :

May Allah be pleased with him, reported:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When anyone of you goes to sleep, the devil ties three knots at the back of his neck, sealing every knot with: “You have a long night, so sleep.” So if one awakes and mentions Allah, a knot will be loosened; if he performs ablution two knots will be loosened; and if he prays (all) knots will be loosened, and in the morning he will be active and in good spirits; otherwise he will be sluggish and in a bad mood. (Muslim)

Please see my earlier post on the 3 knots at this link : http://adikbongsu.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/3-ties/

Soon its time to end the class, I for one was very happy and simply just can’t wait for next week to continue with our learning journey together with my sisters-in-Islam.

(to be continued, insya’Allah… )