Weekly Zumba Classes for Women & Girls | Reham Sedky
2026-01-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-11 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Zumba Classes are back!
For Women & Girls Ages 12+: Join us for weekly Zumba sessions – a fun, stress-relieving way to stay active, boost your energy, and connect with other sisters. Zumba offers incredible benefits, such as improved physical health, mental well-being, and the chance to make fitness an enjoyable part of your routine lifestyle.
This class is designed for women and girls aged 12 and up. It’s open to everyone, and no experience is needed.
Please note this class is not recommended for anyone with back or knee issues.
Starts Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Weekly | Conference Room (private space) | $15/session | Register at mcceastbay.org/zumba
Classes will be canceled if fewer than five people register.
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attending any activity held in the community center. To request a financial waiver, please complete our financial waiver request: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/scholarship

About the Instructor:
My name is Reham Sedky, and I’m excited to introduce myself as a certified Zumba instructor from the Mountain House Muslim community. Because I love my community, I wanted to bring something positive to encourage women to focus on their health and well-being. I noticed many sisters cannot participate in gyms or sports due to privacy concerns or lack of time. This inspired me to become a professional Zumba instructor to offer something new and beneficial. Alhamdulilah, through our Muslim community, I was able to provide this class in a private and comfortable environment that meets our needs.
Please join me, and let’s move, laugh, and grow stronger together, Insha’Allah!
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Mommy & Me January 2026 Session | MCC's Mommy & Me Program
2026-01-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-29 10:00 - 11:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
In this four-week session, our toddlers and pre-schoolers (ages 1-5) will develop love for Islam, Allah (swt), and RasulAllah (saw) through book reading, sing-alongs, Parachute Time, activities, and more!
Thursdays: 01/08, 01/15, 01/22, & 01/29 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Conference Room | $65 for 4 sessions, or $20 per session | Register at mcceastbay.org/happyhearts
These Mommy & Me sessions are designed for girls and boys ages one to four who are accompanied by a female guardian. Moms, grandmothers, and so on are welcome. This is also a great opportunity to connect with other moms and caretakers in the MCC community.
Our Mommy and Me sessions begin with dua and a salaam/greeting song and end with the Fi-Amanillah song and kid-favorite parachute time.
Questions? Happy Hearts Playgroup Facilitator Sr. Khadija at mommyandme@mcceastbay.org
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attending any activity held in the community center. To request a financial waiver, please complete our financial waiver request: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/scholarship

Purification of the Heart – Men’s Book Club
2026-01-22 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-29 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-05 18:30 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join us for a weekly book club and discussion group as we collectively strive to purify our hearts and grow closer to Allah through understanding and treating the spiritual diseases that afflict us all. We will read and reflect on Hamza Yusuf’s translation and commentary of Imam Mawlud’s classical work, Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms, and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart.
Each session will cover one chapter, including group discussions and reflections on the diseases of the heart and their cures.
While we encourage consistent attendance for the benefit of shared reflection and continuity, each session is self-contained, and participants are welcome to drop in even if they cannot commit to every week. Sidi Mohammed Kaddoura facilitates this group.
Starts October 16 | Thursdays | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Conference Room | In-person only
Class Schedule: Tracking Chapters: Purification of the Heart– Men’s Book Club

Disclaimer
This book club is intended to stimulate thought and reflection, not to teach deen. It is not a fiqh or aqidah class.

Discussion Group Guidelines

Everyone has something to say; everyone has something to learn.

Shy participants are encouraged to contribute.
Talkative participants are encouraged to listen more.

Confidentiality is essential.

Do not share other participants’ reflections outside the group. It’s okay to say, “someone in my book club made me think about…” but not “so-and-so said…”

Give 70 excuses.

Assume good intentions. If disagreements arise, remember our shared goal is growth. We leave differences in the room and continue with brotherhood outside of it.

Maintain emotional awareness.

The topics we discuss may evoke strong emotions. All participants are expected to remain calm, respectful, and emotionally intelligent. Please avoid getting carried away in conversation. Proper etiquette is required at all times.

Book Purchase
Please purchase the book in advance if you want to follow along. Available at:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Purification-Heart-Symptoms-Spiritual-Diseases/dp/1929694156
Zaytuna Bookstore: https://bookstore.zaytuna.edu/products/purificationoftheheart
About the Book
This exploration of Islamic spirituality delves into the psychological diseases and cures of the heart. The causes and practical cures of these diseases are discussed, offering a penetrating glimpse into how Islam deals with spiritual and psychological problems and demonstrating how all people can benefit from these teachings.

Author: Imam Mawlud (translated and with extensive commentary by Hamza Yusuf)

About the Translator
Hamza Yusuf is an American Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States. He is one of the most influential Islamic educators in the Western world, known for his ability to bridge traditional Islamic scholarship with contemporary issues.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Women's Weekly Friday Evening Halaqa | The Rahmah Foundation
2026-01-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-06 19:00 - 21:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Ustadha Dr. Rania Awaad holds a weekly women’s gathering on Friday evenings to discuss navigating contemporary issues. This program runs in parallel to the Friday night girl’s halaqa.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Every Friday from September 19, 2025, to May 22, 2026 | MCC Conference Room | Free; no registration or RSVP required to attend in person | To join virtually, register at https://mcceastbay.org/zoom

– More Dr. Rania: https://mcceastbay.org/rania
– Watch past Dr. Rania’s Friday Night Halaqa (FNH) recordings: https://mcceastbay.org/womens-halaqa
– Join Dr. Rania’s WhatsUp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HlHmFFnGbwvCvLl6uGD1C4
– The Rahmah Foundation’s Holiday Calendar: https://mcceastbay.org/rahmah-calendar

The FNH Fall session runs from Friday, September 19, 2025, to May 22, 2026, with no halaqas on the following dates: Friday, November 28, December 19, December 26, January 2, February 20 through March 27, April 3, and April 10. See calendar.

Free weekly babysitting is provided in Room 23. Facility map: https://mcceastbay.org/facility-map

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

This women’s halaqa is hosted at MCC and runs parallel to the girls & teens program in partnership with The Rahmah Foundation.

Ustadha Rania Awaad was raised in the U.S. and began her formal study of the traditional Islamic sciences when her parents permitted her to travel to Damascus, Syria, at 14. Her desire to continue studying the Deen resulted in multiple trips back to Damascus, interspersed between her high school, college, and medical studies. She was honored to receive Ijazah (authorization to teach) several branches of the Shari’ah sciences at the hands of many renowned scholars, including many female scholars. She has received Ijazah to teach Tajwid in the Hafs and Warsh recitations from the late eminent Syrian scholar Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi. In addition to completing several advanced texts of the Shafi’i madhhab, she is licensed to teach texts of Maliki fiqh, Adab, and Ihsan. Currently, Ustadha Rania teaches online and local classes for The Rahmah Foundation, Rabata. She is on the faculty of Zaytuna College, where she teaches courses in Shafi’i fiqh and women’s issues in fiqh and has helped develop and co-direct the Tajweed and Hifz program.

Ustadha Rania is also a medical doctor with a specialty in Psychiatry. She completed her Psychiatric residency and fellowship training at Stanford University, where she is currently on the faculty as a Clinical Instructor in the Stanford Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department. Her medical interests include addressing mental health care concerns in the Muslim community- particularly that of Muslim women and girls. She has been awarded grants from the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) to research this topic and has presented her findings at several medical conferences. Other ongoing endeavors include compiling manuscripts addressing female-related mental health and medical issues from a fiqh-oriented perspective. She is the Director of the Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization that teaches traditional Islamic knowledge to Muslim women and girls. In this capacity, she also heads the Murbbiyah Mentoring Program, which trains young women to teach and mentor Muslim girls and teens. Ustadha Rania is both a wife and a mother; she has been counseling and teaching women classes on Tajwid, Shafi’i Fiqh, Ihsan, marriage, and raising children since 1999.

Learn more about Dr. Rania and her work at http://med.stanford.edu/psychiatry/research/MuslimMHLab.html

Every Friday evening, the MCC bustles with activity. MCC hosts four halaqas to increase God-consciousness for youth, women, and men.

Join Dr. Rania Awaad‘s women’s gathering on navigating contemporary issues from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This wide-ranging Muslimah halaqa is in the MCC Conference Room, and the first hour is live-streamed here (watch past sessions at https://mcceastbay.org/halaqa). This halaqa is organized in partnership with The Rahmah Foundation. Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Friday Night Teen High School Halaqa | Sidi Quran Hodge
2026-01-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-06 19:00 - 21:00 | CA
Join Ustadh Quran Hodge for weekly Friday evening basketball & halaqa sessions for teen high school boys from 9th through 12th grade.
These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident, faithful Muslim men. These halaqas are for high school boys only—no younger boys are allowed. Each session is capped at 30 teens. Once limited spots are full, please kindly join the waitlist.
The first hour is physical activity in the gym (basketball, flag football, or soccer), and the latter hour is pizza and a teen halaqa with Sidi Quran.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Fridays | October 24, 2025, to May 22, 2026 (with a break in Ramadan 2026) | $400/person | Hart Middle School | Register at mcceastbay.org/boys
The MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never prevent a family in the East Bay from benefiting from any MCC offering. To request a financial waiver, please complete the application at mcceastbay.org/scholarship
Coach Amir Rashad also leads a Friday Night Elementary & Middle School Boys Halaqa & Hangout:
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Location of Friday evening sessions for high school boys in ‘25 and ‘26:

– October 24, 2025, at Dublin High School
– October 31, 2025, at Dublin High School
– November 7, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 14, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 21, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– November 28, 2024 (no session)
– December 5, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– December 12, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– December 19, 2025, at Donlon Elementary School
– December 26, 2024 (no session)
– January 2, 2025 (no session)
– January 9, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– January 16, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– January 23, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– January 30, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– February 6, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– February 13, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– February 20, 2026 (no season in Ramadan)
– February 27, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)– March 6, 2026 (no session)
– March 13, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 20, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 27, 2025 (no session)
– April 3, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– April 10, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– April 17, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– April 24, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 1, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 8, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 15, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 22, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton

About Sidi Quran
Qur’an Hodge is a Bay Area native. He began his Islamic education in 2019, studying Arabic at the Al Maqasid Seminary in Pennsylvania. Sidi Quran continued to Dar Al Mustafa, a Yemeni Islamic university in Tarim, Hadhramaut. At this Islamic seminary founded by Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Sidi Qur’an studied Ibtidaiyya, Hadith, Aqida, Seerah, Nahw, Quran Hifzdh, Kitaba, and Tafseer in classical Arabic.
Sidi Quran has completed certificates in Taleef Collective’s Refining the Core and Zaytuna College’s Permaculture Program. He is passionate about creatively addressing community issues, particularly the challenges that Muslim youth face. He lives with his wife and child in Castro Valley.

– More Quran Hodge: https://mcceastbay.org/quran-hodge

Elementary & Middle School Boys Halaqa & Hangout
2026-01-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-06 19:00 - 21:00 | CA
For Elementary & Middle School Boys (Grades 3-8): Join Coach Amir Rashad weekly for basketball, a youth halaqa, and a hang-out session to help our young men make connections and bonds, form a brotherhood, and navigate school and social challenges as they grow into men.
These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident, faithful Muslim men. These Halaqas are for ages 3 to 8 only—no younger boys. The sessions are capped at 30 boys. Once limited spots are full, please join the waitlist. Pizza is included each week.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Fridays | November 21, 2025, to May 22, 2026 (with a break in Ramadan 2026) | Hart Middle School | $400 for the entire year or $15/week | Register at mcceastbay.org/boys-hangout
Location of Friday evening sessions for elementary and middle school boys in ‘25 and ‘26:

– November 21, 2025, at Fallon Middle School in Pleasanton
– November 28, 2024 (no session)
– December 5, 2025, at Amador Elementary School in Dublin
– December 12, 2025, at Cottonwood Creek Middle School in Dublin
– December 19, 2025, at Amador Elementary School in Dublin
– December 26, 2024 (no session)
– January 2, 2025 (no session)
– January 9, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– January 16, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– January 23, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– January 30, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– February 6, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– February 13, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton

– February 20, 2026 (no season in Ramadan)
– February 27, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)– March 6, 2026 (no session)
– March 13, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 20, 2026 (no session in Ramadan)
– March 27, 2025 (no session)
– April 3, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– April 10, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– April 17, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– April 24, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 1, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 8, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 15, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton
– May 22, 2026, at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton

Sidi Quran Hodge also leads a Friday Night Boys High School Halaqa: https://mcceastbay.org/series/friday-night-boys-high-school-halaqa-sidi-quran-hodge-2
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attaining spiritual or educational knowledge within the four walls of the Muslim Community Center. For a financial waiver for this event, please email scholarship@mcceastbay.org.
About the Halaqa Facilitator:
Coach Amir Rashad (Quentin Youngblood) is a former Division I athlete and international professional basketball player with experience competing in Germany, Brazil, and Indonesia. A standout at El Cerrito High School, he became the all-time scoring leader. He earned All-State and USA Honorable Mention All-American honors before serving as team captain at the University of Washington, where he became a Muslim. Rashad has over 18 years of coaching experience, including varsity head coaching roles in the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Bahrain. As a trainer, he has developed athletes from middle school to NBA prospects through a holistic, skill-centered approach. Founder of Deen Sports Academy.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Mommy & Me Saturday Session | MCC's Mommy & Me Program
2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For our Toddlers and Preschoolers (ages 1-5): Join us on Saturday mornings for a Mommy & Me session where children will develop a love for Islam, Allah (swt), and RasulAllah (saw) through book reading, sing-alongs, Parachute Time, activities, and more!
Saturday, Jan. 24 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Conference Room or Prayer Hall | $20 per session | Register at mcceastbay.org/happyhearts
These Mommy & Me sessions are designed for girls and boys ages one to four who are accompanied by a female guardian. Moms, grandmothers, and so on are welcome. This is also a great opportunity to connect with other moms and caretakers in the MCC community.
Our Mommy and Me sessions begin with dua and a salaam/greeting song and end with the Fi-Amanillah song and kid-favorite parachute time.
Questions? Happy Hearts Playgroup Facilitator Sr. Khadija at mommyandme@mcceastbay.org
MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a person back from attending any activity held in the community center. To request a financial waiver, please complete our financial waiver request: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/scholarship

Mawlid: Hearts Connected | Sidi Mahdy Amine (Ta'leef Collective)
2026-01-25 17:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-01 17:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-08 17:30 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join us Sunday nights at 5:30 pm from January 18 to February 15 for evenings of remembrance, reflection, and community, as MCC East Bay temporarily hosts Ta’leef Collective’s weekly Mawlid.
Sidi Mahdy Amine is our special guest speaker on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Gather to connect your heart to the Prophet ﷺ, to God, and to God’s servants. This gathering has been lovingly sustained for over 20 years by dedicated volunteers, munshids, and teachers. Each week will feature reflections from esteemed guest teachers. Join us and keep the connections alive.
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Isha) | Sundays | Jan. 18 to Feb. 15 | MCC Conference Room | Please join in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
Sponsored by Taleef Collective & MCC East Bay.
Ahead of Ramadan ’26, MCC is temporarily hosting five weeks of Ta’leef Collective’s weekly Mawlid, a beautiful gathering of community & remembrance that has been held for more than 20 years for the East Bay Muslim community. Please join us on:

Sunday, January 18, 2026
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Sunday, February 15, 2026

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Mahdy Amine is a Zaytuna College alumnus and practicing attorney. Ustadh Mahdi also teaches Islamic Studies at ILM Tree, and he serves as Convert Care Coordinator for Ta’leef Collective.
“I want people to feel the true beauty of Islam when they encounter Ta’leef. Was not our Prophet (upon him peace and blessings) the radiant embodiment of outer and inner beauty? One who saw him was in awe, and one who knew him fell in love. I hope Taleef translates that experiential beauty to a relevant American context while honoring the ethos and principles of the rich Islamic tradition.”
– More Ustadh Mahdi: https://mcceastbay.org/mahdy

Women’s Seerah Bookclub (in-person & virtual) | Ustadha Leila Fakira
2026-01-26 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-02-02 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-02-09 11:00 - 12:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join our weekly sisters’ in-person & virtual Seerah book club, where we have an active discussion, take away lessons for our daily lives, and inshaAllah fall in love with the Prophet ﷺ. This year, we are reading from Our Lady Fatima al-Zahra (R.A.) by Muhammad Abduh Yamani.

Every Monday, in-person & virtual | 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | MCC | Women only | RSVP for the live registration link at https://mcceastbay.org/bookclub | RSVP is needed to join us virtually

Event Details:

The in-person & virtual discussion takes place every Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a break in Ramadan ’26.

Please register online to receive the link to the WhatsApp thread where all communication and updates will be made.

Book Purchase:

If you wish to follow along with the book, please purchase the book. The book can be purchased here:

https://www.meccabooks.com/products/our-lady-fatima-al-zahra
https://store.celebratemercy.com/products/our-lady-fatima-al-zahra?srsltid=AfmBOoolySfro5MbF50JY0y6f-0yyRMdaGwsDMa2DqstKJWBykrF1Tpa
https://bookshop.rabata.org/search?q=pur+lady&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

For those local in the Bay Area:

Rumi Bookstore
Zaytuna Bookstore

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

About the Book

This book is about the life and virtues of the eminent lady Sayyidatunā Fāṭima al-Zahra ﵂. Through her, with Sayyidunā ‘Alī ﵁, the blessed lineage of her father, the Messenger of God ﷺ, was preserved. She resembled him in every way, and of all people she was the dearest to his heart. She stood with him ﷺ and strove always to serve and aid him, taking care of him after the death of her mother, Sayyidatunā Khadīja ﵂. Fāṭima was brave, strong, forbearing, dutiful, gracious, and protective. She was a loving mother and an inspiring example to her sons, Imams Ḥasan and Ḥusayn ﵁. Fāṭima al-Zahrā ﵂ tells the life story of its subject in a vivid, straightforward manner, linking it to the history of Islam from the early times of tribulation to the establishment of the Dīn and the Community based in al-Madīna. Its style and approach are very suitable for children, as well as for older readers. The author, Dr Muhammad Abduh Yamani (d.1431/2010), who served for several years as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Information, was a distinguished educationalist, author and businessman, notable also for his piety and philanthropy.

Private Event
2026-01-31 08:00 - 17:00 | CA
Conference Room & Classrooms

#TeamFajr Monthly Sunday Breakfast & Qur'an Khatam
2026-02-01 06:30 - 07:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
“If people knew the reward in praying Fajr & Isha in a congregation, they would go to the Masjid even if they had to crawl” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Join Qari Amar Bellaha on the first Sunday of each month. Pray the pre-dawn prayer in congregation (6:30 a.m.), followed by recitations of Surah Yaseen and Al-Wird Al-Latif (booklets provided) in unison, community dua, and following sunup, Salat al-Ishraq prayer in congregation. Qari Amar will also lead the Khatam (completion) of the Qur’an. Each month, congregation members complete one Juz of the Holy Qur’an. Please finish your Juz by the first Sunday of each month. Sign up for Juz at mcceastbay.org/juz This program is also streamed virtually at https://mcceastbay.org/live. 2025 Sunday Monthly Khatam with Qari Amar Bellaha:

– January 4, 2026
– February 1, 2026
– No TeamFajr in Ramadan
– April 5, 2026
– May 3, 2026
– June 7, 2026
– July 5, 2026
– August 2, 2026
– September 6, 2026
– October 4, 2026
– November 1, 2026
– December 6, 2026

There are numerous benefits and virtues of reciting the Holy Qur’an and sending Salawat upon Rasulullah (S). Along with bringing great barakah into our lives, these two acts of ‘ibadah are a means by which Allah elevates our rank in Jannah. Though it may be challenging to make a habit of tilawah (recitation) and Salawat individually, there is strength in our numbers. Join your MCC community in our goal of collectively completing a Qur’an khatam. Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

More Qari Amar: https://mcceastbay.org/amar
Imam al-Haddad’s litanies (al-Wird al-Latif): https://mcceastbay.org/wird
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “He who performs the Fajr will be under the protection of Allah.” [Muslim]
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The best prayer before Allah is the Fajr prayer on Friday in the congregation.”

Private Event
2026-02-01 14:00 - 17:00 | CA
Banquet Hall

Nisf Sha’ban (15th of Shaban - Laylatul Bara’a) '26 | A Night For Asking Forgiveness
2026-02-03 18:00 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
The Prophet (saw) said, ′Allah gazes at His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban and then forgives all His slaves except for two types of people: those who attribute partners to Allah and those who have rancor for their fellow Muslims’. [Ahmad]
At Maghrib (sunset) on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 or Wednesday, February 4, 2026, or , marks the night of the 15th Sha’ban, also called Laylat al-Bara’ah, Laylat an-Nisf min Sha’ban, and Shab-e-Barat. We also highly encourage you to fast on this day.
Join Qari Amar Bellaha for a recitation of Surah Al-Yaseen three times on one of the five blessed nights when duas are accepted, according to Imam Nawawi. Join us in this annual commemoration of laylatul-bara’ah (the Night of Innocence).
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Tuesday, February 3 or Wednesday, Feb. 4 | MCC Conference Room | Join us in person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live
Program:

– 5:30 p.m.: Maghrib prayer
– 6:05 p.m.: Qari Amar Bellaha recites Surah Yaseen three times
– 7:05 p.m.: Dinner/Iftar (for those fasting) – Please RSVP for dinner only (not needed just for the program) at mcceastbay.org/shaban-dinner
– 8 p.m.: Isha prayer

– Past talks at MCC about Nisf Shaban (Laylatul Bara’a): http://mcceastbay.org/shaban
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Ibnul Haj (rahimahullah) states: “The salaf (pious predecessors) would sanctify this night and prepare themselves for it in advance.”
Join Qari Amar Bellaha for a faith-affirming evening to mark one of the five blessed nights when duas are accepted, according to Imam Nawawi. We also highly encourage you to fast on that day and join us for a community Iftar in the evening. Join us in this annual commemoration of laylatul-bara’ah (the Night of Innocence).
– Past talks commemorating Nisf Sha’ban: https://mcceastbay.org/shaban
About Nisf Sha’ban
The month of Shaban is the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The fifteenth night of this month is known as laylatul-bara’ah (the Night of Innocence) or Laylat un-Nisf min Shaban (the Middle Night of Shaban or shab-e-barat).
It has been narrated that the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, said: “There are five nights on which dua is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha‘ban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al Fitr and the night before Eid al Nahr (al Adha).” (al Suyuti)
Locally, for those who follow moonsighting, the 15th night of Shaban starts on the evening of Tuesday, February 3rd. This is a special night for making dua and other acts of worship. Our faith also teaches us to fast on the 15th day of Shaban (Tuesday, February 3) and the 16th day of Shaban (Wednesday, February 4th) as recommended acts.
For more information, see the following links: https://muwasala.org/2015/05/17/merits-of-shaban/
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Allah (swt) forgives many of His servants on this night
The primary blessing of this night is that Allah pours His mercy and forgiveness upon the earth from Maghrib until Fajr. The Prophet (saw) described the extent of His forgiveness in powerful language in numerous narrations:
The Prophet (saw) said, ′Allah gazes at His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban and then forgives all His slaves except for two types of people: those who attribute partners to Allah and those who have rancor for their fellow Muslims’. [Ahmad]
(In other narrations, he (saw) mentioned more categories of people who wouldn’t be forgiven, including those who severed the ties of kinship and those who disobeyed their parents, among others).
Aishah (ra) also narrated that the Prophet (saw) once remained in Sajdah for so long during this night that she became scared and touched his foot to make sure he was still alive. He (saw) moved his foot, and she heard him reciting the following du’a:

The Prophet (saw) also said to Aishah (ra), ′Allah descends on the night of the middle of Sha’ban to the lowest heaven, and He forgives more than the numbers of hairs on the sheep of Banu Kalb (an Arab tribe renowned for their great flocks of sheep)’. [Ibn Majah and others]
Finally, the Prophet (saw) said that on this night, from sunset until dawn, Allah asks His servants, ′Is there anyone seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision from Me so I may provide for him? Is there anyone suffering so I may relieve his suffering?′ [Ibn Majah]
Therefore, make du’a for forgiveness on the 15th night of Sha’ban. Increase your dhikr, and ask Allah for forgiveness, mercy, relief from suffering, and provision. Remember to forgive anyone you have a grudge against and resolve your problems with them, especially if they are family members so that Allah will forgive you.
Fasting on 15th Sha’ban
There is only one weak hadith regarding fasting on the 15th day of Sha’ban. However, it is from the Sunnah to fast the Bright Days (the 13th, 14th, and 15th) of every month anyway. (You can learn more on our blog about the Bright Days).
Furthermore, it is from the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) to increase our voluntary fasts during Sha’ban, as this is the month in which actions are raised to Allah:
Prescribed prayers for this night
Again, the hadith regarding prescribed prayers for this night – such as prayers of fourteen raka’at – are weak Hadith, so it cannot be considered a Sunnah practice. However, you can still perform nafl (voluntary) prayers tonight to benefit from its blessings. As Ibn Taymiyyah (rh) says, ‘Some of the pious predecessors used to devote this night (15th Sha’ban) for Salah especially’.
Moreover, the Prophet (saw) always encouraged performing nafl prayers and making du’a at night, particularly during the last third of the night. This is the case for any night in the year.
Is this the Night of Destiny?
Most scholars agree that the night of 15th Sha’ban is not mentioned in the Qur’an.
Some commentators have said that the night of 15th Sha’ban is mentioned in Surah Ad-Dukhan – ‘Indeed, We sent it [the Book] down during a blessed night. Indeed, we were to warn [mankind]. On that night, every precise matter is made distinct. [The Noble Qur’an, 44:3-4]
However, most scholars agree that this ayah refers to Laylat al-Qadr. The opinion that 15th Sha’ban is ‘the Night of Destiny’ – i.e. the night on which your provision and time of death is named – is not strong. And Allah knows best.
Whether mentioned in the Qur’an or not, it is still a blessed night. Umar bin Abd al-Aziz (rh) and others have said, ′Do not neglect four nights in the year, because on those nights Allah pours His mercy upon His slaves: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha’ban, the night before Eid al-Fitr, and the night before Eid al-Adha’.
Thus, we should try to increase our ’ibadah and ask for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness on this night. We should also strive to remove from our hearts any hatred or grudges for our fellow Muslims to receive Allah’s forgiveness on this night.
Remember: Sha’ban is the month in which our annual deeds are raised to Allah – and the night of the 15th Sha’ban is the perfect opportunity to enter Ramadan with our sins forgiven, in that Allah!
Preparing for Ramadan
Sha’ban is a special month, and we shouldn’t neglect its blessings. It is a time when our actions are raised to Allah, where our love for the Prophet (saw) increases, and where we should prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan.
Source: https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2019/04/the-importance-of-15th-shaban-night
The blessed month of Sha’ban is loved and honored by our Prophet ﷺ. Usamah ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with him, asked, “Ya Rasulallah, I haven’t seen you [voluntarily] fast in a month as much as you fast during Sha’ban.” The Messenger ﷺ replied, “People neglect that month between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds, and I like that my deeds be raised while I am fasting.” (Ahmad and Nasa’i)
It has been narrated that the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, said: “There are five nights on which dua is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha‘ban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al Fitr and the night before Eid al Nahr (al Adha).” (al Suyuti)
For more information, see the following links:
– https://seekersguidance.org/tag/15th-shaban
– https://muwasala.org/2015/05/17/merits-of-shaban
About Qari Amar:
Raised in Morocco, Qari Amar Bellaha memorized the Qur’an at 17 from Madrasat Imam Nafia. He has ijaza for the Hafs and Warsh recitations of the Qur’an. In 1994 and 1995, he was awarded top prizes in the National Moroccan Tajweed competition. He is recognized for his recitation’s beauty, clarity, and excellence, and is one of the Bay Area’s foremost Qur’an teachers.

In his Majmu’, Imam Nawawi quoted from Imam al-Shafi’i’s Kitab al-Umm that there are 5 nights when du’as (supplications) are answered, one of them being the night of the 15th of Sha`ban.

Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Old Testament | Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie
2026-02-07 10:00 - 16:00 | CA
One of the most powerful proofs of prophecy is to demonstrate that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is described in ancient texts whose compositions predate his birth by hundreds and hundreds of years.
In this seminar, Dr. Ali Ataie will guide us through a fascinating historical, exegetical, and linguistic examination of the biblical text in an attempt to validate the Quran’s claim that “the Messenger” and “Gentile/Unlettered Prophet” is “described with them in the Torah and the Gospel,” although the focus will be on the Tanakh (Old Testament).
This lecture will cover topics such as comparative hermeneutical frameworks, debunking the “Islamic Dilemma,” the historical-critical method, the subtleties of ancient sacred poetry, and close readings of the biblical text in the original language (Hebrew).
This free all-day Saturday workshop is a must for students of comparative religion and serious callers (du’at) to the Religion of Allah.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Saturday, February 7, 2026 | Conference Room | Free | Join us in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

– More Dr. Ali Ataie: https://mcceastbay.org/ali-ataie

Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie is a leading scholar in comparative religion. He currently lectures at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California. He has taught at several Western academic institutions.

Session One (with one break): 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Zuhr Prayer/lunch: 12:40 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Session Two: 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Coffee/Tea break (provided by MCC): 2:15 p.m. to 2:25 p.m.

Session Three: 2:25 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Asr Prayer: 4:15 p.m.

– More Dr. Ali Ataie: https://mcceastbay.org/ali-ataie

Ustadh Ali Ataie is a perennial student and researcher who has been involved in interfaith activities for over two decades. He holds a Master’s in Biblical Studies with a focus on the New Testament and biblical languages. He also holds a Ph.D. in cultural and historical studies in religion from the Graduate Theological Union. His doctoral work focused on Muslim hermeneutics of biblical texts, especially the Gospel of John. He lives in San Ramon, CA, with his wife, Roya, and three daughters. Learn more about him at https://zaytuna.edu/academics/faculty/ali-ataie
Muhammad ﷺ in the Old Testament
While the Old Testament doesn’t explicitly name Muhammad (PBUH), Islamic tradition identifies several passages as prophecies foretelling his coming, primarily in Deuteronomy 18:18-19, which speaks of a prophet “like you (Moses)” raised from among the brethren, and Deuteronomy 33:2 (Mount Paran/Ishmael). Other potential references include Song of Solomon 5:16 (interpreting “Muhammadim” as a name) and Isaiah 60:1-7 (describing light from the East). Christians generally interpret these prophecies differently, often relating them to Jesus or other figures, but Muslims see them as clear signs of Muhammad’s prophethood, highlighting similarities to Moses (e.g., family life, worldly leadership) that differ from Christian interpretations of Jesus.

Key Old Testament Passages Cited by Islamic Tradition

Deuteronomy 18:18-19: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever does not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.”

Islamic Interpretation: This prophet is like Moses (a lawgiver, married, had children, natural birth) but not Jesus, fulfilling the “from among your brothers” (referring to Ishmael’s descendants/Arabs).

Deuteronomy 33:2: “The Lord came from Sinai, and dawned from Seir upon them; he shone forth from Mount Paran, and he came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones”.

Islamic Interpretation: Sinai (Moses), Seir (Jesus), and Mount Paran (Mecca/Ishmael’s descendants).

Song of Solomon 5:16 (Hebrew): Contains the word “Muhammadim” (often translated as “altogether lovely” or “desirable”).

Islamic Interpretation: A direct, albeit transliterated, mention of the Prophet’s name.

Isaiah 60:1-7: Mentions the rising of light from the East, the gathering of flocks from Kedar (Ishmael’s son) and Nebaioth, and the glorification of God’s house (Kaaba in Mecca).

Christian Interpretations:

Most Christians interpret the Deuteronomy prophecy as referring to Jesus Christ, seeing him as the ultimate prophet “like Moses” (fulfilling the law, being a great teacher).
Song of Solomon 5:16 is generally regarded as poetic language describing a lover rather than a proper name.

In Summary:Muslim scholars use these passages to argue that the Old Testament prophesied Muhammad (PBUH), aligning his life and mission with these scriptural descriptions, while Christian theology typically links these prophecies to Jesus or other figures, viewing them as distinct from Muhammad.
