Tips for a good Halaqah

(By Mutma’inaa)

1. Have a designated topic prepared beforehand.

2. Make sure your intentions are clear in organising or attending a halaqah. Remember that all actions are judged by their intentions. If you go there just to meet up with your friends, then reevaluate your purpose for attending.

3. Have a designated location for the Halaqah.

4. Welcome everyone and create a friendly and relaxed, tranquil atmosphere. Tension and unnecessary arguments are undesired.

5. Everyone should remember the prophetic way for dealing with disagreements.

6. Remember the sole purpose of the Halaqah - to learn more about Islam and be closer to Allah Ta’ala. Refrain from making it a weekly spot for chitchat and gossiping.

7. It is important to hear from everyone. People who tend to speak a lot in groups should make special efforts to allow others the opportunity to speak. Everyone should be given the opportunity to ask questions and distribute.

8. Remember to say the prophetic du’as before and after each Halaqah. This way you will begin and end with good intentions and have more barakah in your actions.

Remember : A halaqah is not a place for debate but a group dialogue. A place to learn. If a sister forgets this, don’t hesitate to ask the group to help re-establish the ground rules. Don’t allow any arguments or unnecessary arguments to break out.

9. Make a good effort to attend all the halaqahs. The comfort level and depth of conversation depend upon familiarity with other people there. It also is not very helpful or constructive to pop in whenever one feels like it. Make sure that your intentions are clear for attending.

10. After the Halaqah, give everyone a chance to talk about the most important thing they gained from the halaqah. Or, you may wish to ask anyone to share any new ideas or thoughts they’ve had as a result of it.

♥

In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says: “Those that remember Me in their heart, I remember them in My heart; and those that remember Me in a gathering (i.e. that make mention of Me), I remember them (i.e. make mention of them) in a gathering better than theirs.”