Tips for a good Halaqah

By Mutma'inaa

 

 

 

• Have a designated topic prepared beforehand - no-one can learn anything from a disorganised, rushed plan.

• 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.

• Have one person 'chair' or hold the halaqah each week.  Designate different people to hold the Halaqah. It isnt nice to load one brother or sister with all the barakah of preparing notes ;), or fair for one person to always put in all the hard work each circle.  Make a time-table if necessary to remind yourself who is to hold it the next week.

• Have a designated location for the Halaqah.  Remember that different people tend to turn up from time to time, so there must be a fixed place.  Otherwise chaos can erupt, with no-one knowing where to go to attend.  If the halaqah is not held in your local masjid or community centre, then make it in someone's house, prayer room, rented room, etc. 

• Discuss beforehand which topics everyone is interested in holding, and learning about, and what interests everyone.  It isnt constructive to hold a halaqah on a topic that no-one is interested in or find stimulating.  By doing this, you would only be driving away people from the Halaqah.  Compile a list, if necessary, of suitable topics that are to be discussed. 

• Welcome everyone and create a friendly and relaxed, tranquil atmosphere.  Tension and unnecessary arguments are undesired.  It is something that does more harm than good.  By hurting others, no good is achieved from the halaqah.  If there are disagreements within the group over some matter, then  it should not be made to dominate the main topic at hand.  EVeryone should remember the prophetic way for dealing with disagreements.  It should be should not be personalised. Put-downs, name-calling, labeling, or personal attacks should not be tolerated, and should not be allowed to be taken to such a degree.

• Remember the sole purpose of the Halaqah - to learn more about Islam and gain closer to Allah Ta'ala.  Refrain from making it a weekly spot for chit-chat and gossiping.

• 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.  Don't allow anyone dominate.  Listen carefully to others.  Everyone should be given the opportunity to ask questions and distribute insha'Allah.

• 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 baraqah in your actions.

• Remember: a halaqah is not a place for debate but a group dialogue.  A place to learn. If a brother or 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.  This only causes friction and arguments, and moves away from the basis of the Halaqah.

• Try and bring in a respected, knowledgeable brother or sister from time to time to hold the halaqah and offer good discussions and learning opportunities.

• Be creative!  Instead of just reading out aloud from a piece of paper, why not make use of teachnology and use an OHP (over-head projector), or black/white-board for a more interesting halaqah.

• 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 isnt very helpful or constructive to pop in whetnever one feels like it.  Make sure that your intentions are clear for attending.

 

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.

• Remind the group of the readings and subject for the next halaqah, and updates, and thank everyone for turning up.

• Hand out appropriate and relevant notes and summaries of the points discussed in the Halaqah, so that the group has something to look over again another time insha'Allah.

• Remember to say the necessary prophetic du'as at the end of the Halaqah.