MCC East Bay

Quarterly Red Cross Blood Drive @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2027-12-10 11:30 - 16:30, 2027-09-24 11:30 - 16:30, 2027-05-21 11:30 - 16:30, 2027-02-12 11:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
As people of faith, it is in our blood to help. With a 15-minute blood donation, you can be part of a lifesaving journey that could save up to three lives.

The MCC community has saved nearly 400 lives! This is our 35th blood drive during Jumu’ah, and each has always been fully booked!

Let’s continue that trajectory at this blood drive and keep all our American Red Cross guests busy when they set up in our Banquet Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on three Fridays in 2027. Sign up at: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/blood-drive. Here are the Jumu’ah Friday prayer service times: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/prayer

In 2027, MCC will proudly host these quarterly blood drives during Jumuah services from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with our friends at the American Red Cross:

Friday, February 12, 2027 (American Red Cross)
Friday, May 21, 2027 (American Red Cross)
Friday, September 24, 2027 (American Red Cross)
Friday, December 10, 2027 (American Red Cross)

The need for blood is constant, and only volunteer donors can meet it for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds, and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. A Power Red donation targets O-, O+, A-, and B—only. It takes 20-30 minutes because donors give two units of concentrated Red Blood Cells, and platelets and plasma are returned. Blood diversity is essential. Now more than ever, the American Red Cross needs the help of black blood donors.

Blood donors report feeling a strong sense of satisfaction after donating blood. Why? Because helping others in need feels good.

If you have visited India, Pakistan, or another high-risk malaria country and returned within the last 12 months, you are not eligible to donate blood. See the latest travel-related restrictions to blood donation eligibility.

Every person who donates blood at MCC will receive a voucher for a free meal at IniBurger—Gourmet Burgers in Pleasanton. MCC congregation members Leeza and Abdullah Popal, who own these establishments, generously donate these vouchers to encourage community and congregation participation.

MCC Youth: If you are 16 to 18, here are the donor requirements and the link to the parental authorization form.

On the morning of the blood drive, please complete the Rapid Pass online and bring the print-off to speed up the check-in process. Complete at https://mcceastbay.org/rapid
In 2026, MCC hosted these quarterly blood drives during Jumuah services from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with our friends at the American Red Cross:

Friday, May 22, 2026 (American Red Cross)
Friday, July 31, 2026 (American Red Cross)
Friday, September 25, 2026 (American Red Cross)
Friday, December 11, 2026 (American Red Cross)

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App on the App Store, Google Play, or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Schedule appointments, view your blood type and mini-physical results, and track your donations.

Monthly Sisters' Mawlid
2027-11-27 11:00 - 13:00, 2027-10-23 11:00 - 13:00, 2027-09-25 11:00 - 13:00, 2027-08-28 11:00 - 13:00, 2027-07-24 11:00 - 13:00, 2027-06-26 11:00 - 13:00, 2027-05-22 11:00 - 13:00, 2027-04-24 11:00 - 13:00 and 3 more dates | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Sisters: Join us monthly for sisters’ Mawlid for a gathering of remembrance and Dhikr.
Connect more with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as we gather on the fourth Saturday of each month in remembrance and dhikr.
Saturday, Mar. 28 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | In-person only | Free; no RSVP required

Sisters and children welcome. No boys over the age of eight are allowed.
Dates for Monthly Women’s Mawlid at MCC East Bay

– March 28th 11-1pm
– April 25th 11-1pm
– May 30th 12-2pm
– June 27th 11-1pm
– July 25th 11-1pm
– Aug 29th 11-1pm
– Sep 26th 11-1pm
– Oct 31st 11-1pm
– Dec 5th 11-1pm

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
The Mawlid is a joyous expression of the greatest blessing from Allah.
We take this blessed opportunity monthly to remind ourselves of the three sacred rights that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ requires from us, instilling in us a deep sense of respect and reverence.

– Marifah – Recognizing who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is
– Muhabbah – Loving the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
– Ittiba’ – Obedience to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ

The second two (loving and obeying) are not entirely possible without genuinely recognizing the first – who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was. This recognition enlightens us and deepens our knowledge of his teachings.

Women’s Seerah Bookclub (in-person & virtual) | Ustadha Leila Fakira
2027-02-01 11:00 - 12:30, 2027-01-25 11:00 - 12:30, 2027-01-18 11:00 - 12:30, 2027-01-11 11:00 - 12:30, 2027-01-04 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-12-28 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-12-21 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-12-14 11:00 - 12:30 and 1 more date | 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 active discussions, take away lessons for our daily lives, and, inshaAllah, fall in love with the Prophet ﷺ. This year, we are reading Hayatus Sahabah: The Lives of the Sahabah by Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Kandhelwi.

Every Monday, in-person & virtual | 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Room 9 | 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 ’27.

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://a.co/d/0hoPIA1H

For those local to the Bay Area:

Rumi Bookstore

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

About the Book
Hayatus Sahabah (Lives of the Companions) is a comprehensive, multi-volume masterpiece written by Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi (r.a.) that meticulously documents the lives, struggles, and virtues of the Sahabah (companions of Prophet Muhammad). It is highly regarded as an authentic collection (over 2000+ pages), often available in a 3-volume English or Arabic set, showcasing their devotion, Da’wah efforts, and training.

Nisf Sha’ban (15th of Shaban - Laylatul Bara’a) | A Night For Asking Forgiveness
2027-01-24 17:30 | CA
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 Thursday, February 13, 2025, 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 Friday, Feb. 14.
Join Qari Amar Bellaha for a recitation three times of Surah Al-Yaseen 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).
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Thursday, February 13 | MCC Conference Room | Join us in person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live
Program:

– 5:53 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 Thursday, February 13. 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 (Friday, February 15) and the 16th day of Shaban (Saturday, February 15) 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 Sha’ban is a month 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 forms of Qur’anic recitation. 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.

Monthly Sisters' Mawlid
2026-12-31 11:00 - 13:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
For Sisters: Join us monthly for sisters’ Mawlid for a gathering of remembrance and Dhikr.
Connect more with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as we gather on the fourth Saturday of each month in remembrance and dhikr.
Saturday, Oct. 31st | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | MCC Conference Room | In-person only | Free; no RSVP required

Sisters and children welcome. No boys over the age of eight are allowed.
Dates for Monthly Women’s Mawlid at MCC East Bay

– March 28th 11-1pm
– April 25th 11-1pm
– May 30th 12-2pm
– June 27th 11-1pm
– July 25th 11-1pm
– Aug 29th 11-1pm
– Sep 26th 11-1pm
– Oct 31st 11-1pm
– Dec 5th 11-1pm

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
The Mawlid is a joyous expression of the greatest blessing from Allah.
We take this blessed opportunity monthly to remind ourselves of the three sacred rights that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ requires from us, instilling in us a deep sense of respect and reverence.

– Marifah – Recognizing who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is
– Muhabbah – Loving the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
– Ittiba’ – Obedience to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ

The second two (loving and obeying) are not entirely possible without genuinely recognizing the first – who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was. This recognition enlightens us and deepens our knowledge of his teachings.

Monthly Book Reading: The Kingdom of the Hearts | Ustadh Tariq Samady
2026-12-19 18:00 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
After the Monthly Mawlid, join Ustadh Tariq Samady to cover a chapter from the text The Kingdom of the Heart by Habib Umar b. Hafiz.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Maghrib to Isha) | Saturdays | MCC Conference Room | Join us in person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live
Dates for Monthly Family Mawlid at MCC East Bay in 2026

Saturday, January 17, 2026
No session during Ramadan in February ’26
No session during Ramadan in March ’26
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Saturday, December 19, 2026

– Watch past mawlid celebrations at MCC: http://mcceastbay.org/mawlid
– More Sidi Tareq: https://mcceastbay.org/tariq
– More sessions about the book using the monthly Mawlids, “The Kingdom of the Heart”: http://mcceastbay.org/kingdom
– Purchase “The Kingdom of the Heart” by Habib Umar bin Hafiz: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Heart-Habib-Umar-Hafiz/dp/173537671X

Sponsored by Circles of Light & MCC East Bay.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

The Mawlid is a joyous expression of the greatest blessing from Allah.
We take this blessed opportunity monthly to remind ourselves of the three sacred rights that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ requires from us, instilling in us a deep sense of respect and reverence.

– Marifah – Recognizing who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is
– Muhabbah – Loving the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
– Ittiba’ – Obedience to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ

The second two (loving and obeying) are not entirely possible without truly recognizing the first, who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was. This recognition enlightens us and deepens our knowledge of his teachings.

– Past mawlid celebrations at MCC: http://mcceastbay.org/mawlid

About the Book, “The Kingdom of the Heart”
“Within every human being is a Kingdom. The heart is the ruler of this Kingdom, and the rest of the body is its subjects. If the heart rules with justice and excellence, the body will perform good actions, and the Kingdom will flourish. If the heart neglects its duties, the body will disobey Allah, and the entire Kingdom will suffer the consequences. Allah ﷻ made this Kingdom so crucial that through it the eternal and everlasting dominion of the next life is either gained or lost.” The Kingdom of the Heart by Habib ‘Umar Bin Hafiz gives the reader a deeper understanding of the importance of cultivating the spiritual kingdom of the heart. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation of how outward actions have spiritual consequences. Some of the topics covered are: •⁠ ⁠The Tongue & Its Effects •⁠ ⁠Looking at Creation with Love & Mercy •⁠ ⁠The Impact of Shaking Hands •⁠ ⁠Attending to the Ending of Our Lives •⁠ ⁠The Impact of Intention This book uniquely shows the direct correlation between outward actions and the heart, giving us insights into how various actions impact the state of our hearts. Ultimately, it gives us a way to internalize the wisdom and purpose of acts of devotion, resulting in the purification of the heart and nearness to Allah ﷻ.
About the Author
Habib Umar bin Hafiz (Arabic: حبيب عمر بن حفيظ, romanized: Ḥabīb ʿUmar bin Ḥafīẓ; Arabic pronunciation: [ħabiːb ʕumar bin ħafiːðˤ]; born 27 May 1963) is a Yemeni Sunni and Sufi Islamic scholar, teacher, and founder and dean of Dar al-Mustafa Islamic seminary.[3] He is also a Supreme Advisory Council member for the Tabah Foundation in Abu Dhabi.
Ustadh Tariq Samady
Ustadh Tariq Samady is a native of the Bay Area with roots in the ancient city of Kabul. He has been a lifelong seeker of Islamic knowledge, learning from a wide range of Muslim scholars, both local and international. With the blessings of his teachers, he has contributed to various educational programs and gatherings of dhikr.
His research and editing interests span Qur’an and Hadith commentaries, Philology, Spirituality, and Persian Poetry. Tariq is the founder of Circles of Light (حلق النور), a fledgling educational initiative focused on sharing sacred learnings and wisdom for the community’s benefit. He studied Computer Science at California State University—East Bay and has over ten years of experience as a Developer and Analytics QA Engineer.
About Circles of Light
Circles of Light is a fledgling educational initiative focused on sharing sacred learnings and wisdom for the benefit of the community, meant to assist in maximizing Dunya (this life) for our Deen (Faith). He gives wisdom to whomever He wills. Whoever is given wisdom has been given much good. But none pays heed except those with insight. (Quran). We are motivated by the words of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him); the most beloved people to Allah are those most beneficial to the people. (Hadith). We seek to achieve this aim through our in-person educational programs and publications.
Almighty Allah ﷻ directs us in Sūratul Aḥzāb, “Verily, Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Messenger of Allah. You who believe invoke blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation.” Our purpose of invoking blessings upon the Beloved ﷺ leads to proximity to Almighty Allah ﷻ by obeying this command while simultaneously fulfilling our rights upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It is crystal clear how vital the invocation of Ṣalawāt is for the believer, and it is a Mercy of Almighty Allah ﷻ for its rewards to be multitudinous. Abundant Ṣalawāt upon the Beloved ﷺ leads to loving him and knowing his beautiful qualities. By that virtue, degrees of purity are realized. From the signs of the people of the Sunnah is sending Ṣalawāt upon him, for the key to all goodness is Ṣalawāt upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

– More Sidi Tariq Samady: http://mcceastbay.org/tariq
– More Tri-Valley and East Bay Mawlid celebrations: https://mcceastbay.org/mawlid
– More about celebrating the Prophet (peace be upon him)’s day of birth: https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/innovation-bida-and-celebrating-the-prophets-birthday-mawlid
– More sessions about “The Kingdom of the Heart”: http://mcceastbay.org/kingdom

Monthly Mawlid Al Habib | Celebratory Gathering of Salutations on Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ
2026-12-19 18:00 - 20:00 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Connect more with Muhammad (peace be upon him) as we gather on the third Saturday of each month in remembrance and dhikr with Bay Area Munshideens and guest speakers.
During each gathering, Ustadh Mohammad Alboni will go over the Seerah of the Prophet.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Maghrib to Isha) | Saturdays | MCC Conference Room | Join us in person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live
Dates for Monthly Family Mawlid at MCC East Bay in 2026

Saturday, January 17, 2026
Saturday, February 14, 2026
No session during Ramadan in March ’26
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Saturday, December 19, 2026

– Watch past mawlid celebrations at MCC: http://mcceastbay.org/mawlid
– More Sidi Tareq: https://mcceastbay.org/tariq
– More sessions about the book using the monthly Mawlids, “The Kingdom of the Heart”: http://mcceastbay.org/kingdom
– Purchase “The Kingdom of the Heart” by Habib Umar bin Hafiz: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Heart-Habib-Umar-Hafiz/dp/173537671X

Sponsored by Circles of Light & MCC East Bay.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
The Mawlid is a joyous expression of the greatest blessing from Allah.
We take this blessed opportunity monthly to remind ourselves of the three sacred rights that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ requires from us, instilling in us a deep sense of respect and reverence.

– Marifah – Recognizing who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is
– Muhabbah – Loving the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
– Ittiba’ – Obedience to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ

The second two (loving and obeying) are not entirely possible without truly recognizing the first, who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was. This recognition enlightens us and deepens our knowledge of his teachings.

– Past mawlid celebrations at MCC: http://mcceastbay.org/mawlid

About Ustadh Mohammed Alboni:
Mohammad Al Boni was born in Damascus, Syria. At an early age, he attended halaqas on Quranic recitation, Tajweed, Hadith, and Aqida under prominent Syrian scholars, including Dr. Mohammed Rateb al-Nabulsi and Shaykh Bassam Ajek of the Abu Nour Islamic Institute. After completing his undergraduate studies in engineering, Mohammad moved to the United States to pursue a graduate degree. He has continued his Islamic studies abroad—focusing on the blessed Seerah, Hadith collections, and Hadith terminology—and has earned certificates under scholars such as Sheik Ghazwan Shurbaji and Sayydi Sheik Samer Alnass, and is currently studying Hanafi Fiqh with Ustadh Tarif Arabi.
About Circles of Light
Circles of Light is a fledgling educational initiative focused on sharing sacred learnings and wisdom for the benefit of the community, meant to assist in maximizing Dunya (this life) for our Deen (Faith). He gives wisdom to whomever He wills. Whoever is given wisdom has been given much good. But none pays heed except those with insight. (Quran). We are motivated by the words of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him); the most beloved people to Allah are those most beneficial to the people. (Hadith). We seek to achieve this aim through our in-person educational programs and publications.
Almighty Allah ﷻ directs us in Sūratul Aḥzāb, “Verily, Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Messenger of Allah. You who believe invoke blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation.” Our purpose of invoking blessings upon the Beloved ﷺ leads to proximity to Almighty Allah ﷻ by obeying this command while simultaneously fulfilling our rights upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It is crystal clear how vital the invocation of Ṣalawāt is for the believer, and it is a Mercy of Almighty Allah ﷻ for its rewards to be multitudinous. Abundant Ṣalawāt upon the Beloved ﷺ leads to loving him and knowing his beautiful qualities. By that virtue, degrees of purity are realized. From the signs of the people of the Sunnah is sending Ṣalawāt upon him, for the key to all goodness is Ṣalawāt upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

– More Tri-Valley and East Bay Mawlid celebrations: https://mcceastbay.org/mawlid
– More about celebrating the Prophet (peace be upon him)’s day of birth: https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/innovation-bida-and-celebrating-the-prophets-birthday-mawlid

Attorneys @ Jumu'ah: Free Legal Clinic
2026-12-18 13:30 - 15:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
During the third and fourth Jumu’ah services at MCC, Legal Attorney Erum Choudhry will be providing a free fifteen-minute consultation in the following areas:

Islamic Estate Planning
Immigration: Family-based, employment-based, Citizenship
Bankruptcy: Chapters 7 and 13

Appointments are required to receive a free consultation. No walk-ins will be allowed. Please sign up at mcceastbay.org/legal-clinic
Third Fridays of Each Month | 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | MCC Room 16 | Appointment required (no walk-ins); RSVP at mcceastbay.org/legal-clinic
MCC will hold legal clinics on the following days:

2026:

Jan. 16, 2026
April 17, 2026
May 15, 2026
June 19, 2026
July 17, 2026
Aug. 21, 2026
Sep. 18, 2026
Oct. 16, 2026
Nov. 20, 2026
Dec. 18, 2026

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Erum Choudhry has more than ten years of legal experience. She graduated from Cornell Law School in 2002. She served as a senior attorney/associate with boutique law firms in Silicon Valley and well-established law firms in Northern California. She counsels clients from individuals, families, and startups to Fortune 500 companies, major hospitals, and multinational corporations.
She is committed to helping each client with a personalized solution. She is well equipped with the tools like experience, staff, empathy, and compassion to help communities grapple with boom-bust challenges, whether immigration, bankruptcy, or estate planning matters. She picked these areas of practice because these areas of law allow her to understand her clients, serve the community, and help them enjoy a stress-free life.
She enjoys interacting with her clients and audience. She is a frequent speaker at local community and youth events. She provides pro bono services to underprivileged community members and works with local nonprofit organizations to help immigrants.

Quarterly Red Cross Blood Drive @ MCC Jumu’ahs
2026-12-11 11:30 - 16:30 | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
As people of faith, it is in our blood to help. With a 15-minute blood donation, you can be part of a lifesaving journey that could save up to three lives.

The MCC community has saved nearly 420 lives! This is our 36th Jumu’ah blood drive, and each has always been fully booked!

Let’s continue that trajectory at this blood drive and keep all our American Red Cross guests busy when they set up in our Banquet Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on three Fridays in 2026. Sign up at: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/blood-drive. Here are the Jumu’ah Friday prayer service times: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/prayer

In 2026, MCC will proudly host these quarterly blood drives during Jumuah services from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with our friends at the American Red Cross & Stanford Blood Center:

Friday, February 6, 2026 (Stanford Blood Center)
Friday, May 22, 2026 (American Red Cross)
Friday, July 31, 2026 (American Red Cross)
Friday, September 25, 2026 (American Red Cross)
Friday, December 11, 2026 (American Red Cross)

The need for blood is constant, and only volunteer donors can meet it for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds, and most of us will need blood at some point in our lives. A Power Red donation targets only O-, O+, A-, and B—blood types. It takes 20-30 minutes because donors give two units of concentrated Red Blood Cells, and platelets and plasma are returned. Blood diversity is essential. Now more than ever, the American Red Cross needs the help of black blood donors.

Blood donors report feeling a strong sense of satisfaction after donating blood. Why? Because helping others in need feels good.

If you have visited India, Pakistan, or another high-risk malaria country and returned within the last 12 months, you are not eligible to donate blood. See the latest travel-related restrictions to blood donation eligibility.

Every person who donates blood at MCC will receive a voucher for a free meal at IniBurger—Gourmet Burgers in Pleasanton. MCC congregation members Leeza and Abdullah Popal, who own these establishments, generously donate these vouchers to encourage community and congregation participation.

MCC Youth: If you are 16 to 18, here are the donor requirements and the link to the parental authorization form.

On the morning of the blood drive, please complete the Rapid Pass online and bring the print-off to speed up the check-in process. Complete at https://mcceastbay.org/rapid
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
MCC strongly encourages our congregation of African heritage and groups aligned with the African American community. Patients with Sickle Cell Disease often require frequent transfusions, and the most compatible blood is more likely to come from donors with similar backgrounds. Increasing participation from the Muslim community can help improve health outcomes and ensure that these patients receive the care they deserve.

Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App on the App Store, Google Play, or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Schedule appointments, view your blood type and mini-physical results, and track your donations.
