An Evening of Remembrance | Sh. Abdullah Misra, Sidi Baraka Blue, & Sidi Uthman Ames
2023-02-16 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
Join Shaykh Abdullah Misra for a faith-affirming evening to learn lessons from the Prophet’s blessed heavenly ascension: Al-Isra wal-Mi’raj followed by recital of selections of the Seerah Song (Shaykh Abdullah Misra), Nasheed (Sidi Uthman Ames) and poetry readings from his book “Art of Remembrance” (Sidi Baraka Blue).

6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Thursday, February 16 | MCC Conference Room | Join in-person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live

Sidi Baraka will have his book “Art of Remembrance” for sale.

MCC annually commemorates a momentous occasion in the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ life: the miraculous Night Journey to Jerusalem and Ascension to Heaven (al-Isra wal-Mi’raj). This event starts at 6 p.m. and goes until the congregational Isha prayer at 8 p.m.

– More Sheikh Abdullah Misra: https://mcceastbay.org/misra

– Past talks commemorating Al Isra Wa Miraj: https://mcceastbay.org/isra

Muslims worldwide remember this event as one that changed the course of history. Allah bestowed the tremendous honor of this journey and the command of Prayer (salah) upon His Messenger – a perpetual gift and source of comfort for Muslims until eternity.

This webinar is also an excellent way to begin spiritually preparing ourselves for Ramadan and enlivens our spirit to get through the uncertainty we are challenged with now.

More about this particular night:

Isra Mi’raj is celebrated on the 27th of Rajab. This night happened in 621, which is the year of sadness (‘Aam ul Huzn) when Abu Talib & Khadijah (RA) died. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) rode Buraq (a white steed) during his journey, and Allah enjoined 50 prayers and reduced the prayers to five.

He met different Prophets on the journey:

– 7th Heaven met Ibrahim (AS)

– 6th Heaven met Musa (AS)

– 5th Heaven met Harun (AS)

– 4th Heaven met Idris (AS)

– 3rd Heaven met Yusuf (AS)

– 2nd Heaven met Isa (AS) & Yahya (AS)

– 1st Heaven met Adam (AS)

MI’RAJ – Ascend to heaven, where he speaks to GodISRA’ – Night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Sh. Abdullah Anik Misra

Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra was born in Toronto, Canada. Raised in the Hindu tradition, he embraced Islam in 2001 while studying at the University of Toronto, where he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen, for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, West Indies.

He spent 12 years in Amman, Jordan, where he focused on Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography, and Islamic Spirituality while also serving as Director of Programs at the Qasid Arabic Institute. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyya), authorization in the six authentic books of Hadith, and has studied one year of specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (Ifta’).

He also holds a certificate in Islamic Counselling and often works with those with religious obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD/waswasa). He is an instructor and researcher in the Islamic Sciences and has taught online and in person for several learning institutes and organizations.

He is the author of the Seerah Song, the first complete Seerah poem written in rhyming English verse to be used as a teaching tool, performed by Zain Bhikha. He currently resides near Toronto, Canada, with his family.

Sidi Baraka Blue

Baraka Blue is a poet, musician, author, and teacher from Seattle, Washington. In addition to releasing multiple studio albums, authoring books of poetry, and performing internationally, Baraka Blue is a prolific educator with a master’s degree in Islamic Studies from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.

He spent several years studying with traditional spiritual masters in Africa, Turkey, Asia, and the Arab world. He has performed and taught all over the world, including at institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, and the School of Oriental and African Studies.

In 2018, Baraka Blue founded the Rumi Center for Spirituality and the Arts, which provides online courses to seekers from anywhere in the world. Baraka Blue has also conducted creative writing workshops for K-12 schools, universities, cultural and religious centers, and various organizations worldwide.

He is the host of the award-winning podcast Path & Present, which features conversations on spirituality in the modern world. He lives in Seattle, where he is the director of Wasat, an organization that builds community through spirituality, arts and culture, and service.

Sidi Wendell Uthman

Sidi Wendell Uthman Ames’ story to Islam begins at a hip-hop store in Southern California where he worked during high school. He watched his manager take breaks during the day to pray Salah in a back room. A group of Filipino converts soon began visiting the store. A Filipino-American himself, this further triggered his interest in Islam. The Filipino converts befriended him, and Sidi Wendell took his Shahada (Declaration of Faith) with them at age 17, MashaAllah! Sidi Wendell then began driving with them to the Bay Area to take classes with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. This is pre-Zaytuna College. Sidi Uthman would eventually move to the Bay Area and live with Sidi Usama Canon. Sidi Wendell is now a well-known munshid (reciter). He shares his beautiful voice at gatherings all over the world. He is frequently performing at MCC East Bay, Al-Maqasid, and Ta’leef Collective.

More Sheikh Abdullah Misra: https://mcceastbay.org/misra

Support the Seerah Song Project: https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/seerah_song_project#!/

Zain Bhikha (Vocal version of (Seerah Song”): https://youtu.be/03qWfCMQNws

Thursday Night Community Zikr
2023-02-16 19:00 - 20:30
Our monthly Zikr gathering is in the Conference Room from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Our Dhikr in a group session is open to all. Please join us!
Zikr is a ritual prayer or litany practiced by Muslims for the purpose of glorifying God and achieving spiritual perfection.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Two Jumu’ah Services at MCC
2023-02-17 12:30 - 14:00
For our Jumu’ah services on Friday, February 17, masks are optional to attend any MCC service, and no RSVP is necessary:

12:30 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.

– Ustadh Sundiata Rashid delivers this sermon.

– No social distancing option in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder). Social distance worship is available for women in Banquet Hall & men in Conference Room.

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.

– Sidi Baraka Blue delivers this sermon.

– No social distancing option in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder). Social distance worship is available for women in Banquet Hall & men in Conference Room.

Please attend at 12:30 p.m. to avoid heavier second-service congestion whenever possible. Masks are optional.

The third Jumu’ah will resume in March ’23: https://mcceastbay.org/event/new-jumuah-times-winter-schedule/

Jumu’ah parking for two services is in the MCC and the neighboring HP lot. The aerial map at https://mcceastbay.org/hp

– Virtually watch these two sermons from home: https://mcceastbay.org/live

More Ustadh Sundiata: https://mcceastbay.org/sundiata

More Sidi Baraka: https://www.youtube.com/@barakablue

Sundiata Al Rashid is Emir (leader) of the Lighthouse Mosque in Oakland, California.

Baraka Blue is a highly acclaimed rapper and poet hailing from Seattle and based in Oakland, California. He has performed all over North America.

For parents attending with young children indoors, MCC offers private mothers’ and fathers’ rooms with an audio and visual connection to Prayer Hall. Parents can watch the sermon and pray while in the company of other parents with young children. The mothers/fathers prayer room is just past the Banquet Hall doors into the school area.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

The Alameda County Health Department reports COVID-19 cases are still happening. We remain indoors for the five daily prayers and two Jumu’ah services as long as health officials deem it safe. All the Jumu’ah prayers are indoors.

Immigration Legal Clinic | CAIR
2023-02-17 15:00 - 19:00
More details forthcoming!

Appreciation Dinner for New Muslims
2023-02-17 17:00 - 19:00
Open to everyone who has embraced Islam – whether you recently took your Shahadah (Testimony of Faith) or it’s been a while – please join us for an appreciation dinner. Dr. Rania Awaad will join us for a chat before we have dinner together.

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Friday, Feb. 17 | Banquet Hall | In-person only | RSVP required: mcceastbay.org/new-muslim-dinner

MCC Congregation: Please note that this dinner is open only to our new(er) Muslim sisters & brothers in faith and their families.

If you are a new Muslim in the East Bay and you are not receiving our new Muslim updates, please send MCC New Muslim Coordinator Sr. Liz an email at mentorship@mcceastbay.org

Girl Scout Troop 32316 Fundraise for Earthquake Relief
2023-02-17 18:00 - 21:30
The Girl Scouts Troop 32316 will do a bake sale to raise funds for Turkey/Syria earthquake victims.

6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Friday, Feb. 17 | Women’s Lounge

Dr. Rania Awaad's Weekly Friday Evening Halaqa
2023-02-17 19:00 - 21:00
Ustadha Dr. Rania Awaad holds a weekly Friday evening women’s gathering about navigating contemporary issues.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Every Friday from October 14, 2022 to March 17, 2023 | 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 Evening Halaqa recordings: https://mcceastbay.org/womens-halaqa
– Join Dr. Rania’s WhatsUp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HlHmFFnGbwvCvLl6uGD1C4

Free babysitting is provided in Room 16. Facility map: https://mcceastbay.org/facility-map
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
This halaqa is hosted parallel to our girl’s program in partnership with Rahmah Foundation.
Ustadha Rania AwaadRaised in the U.S., Ustadha Rania Awaad 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 Ijaazah (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, and is on the faculty of Zaytuna College, where she teaches courses in Shafi’i fiqh, 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 currently serves as the Director of the Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization that teaches Muslim women and girls traditional Islamic knowledge. 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.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., join Dr. Rania Awaad‘s women’s gathering about navigating contemporary issues. 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.
Friday evening sessions in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023:

– October 14
– October 21
– October 28
– November 5
– November 11
– November 18
– November 25 (no session)
– December 2
– December 9
– December 16
– December 23 (no session)
– December 30 (no session)
– January 6, 2023
– January 13, 2023
– January 20, 2023
– January 27, 2023
– February 3, 2023
– February 10, 2023
– February 17, 2023
– February 24, 2023
– March 3, 2023
– March 10, 2023
– March 17, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

Boys Friday Night Halaqa for High Schoolers (Ages 14-18) | Hafiz Zaid Khanani
2023-02-17 19:00 - 21:00
Join MCC Youth Leader Hafiz Zaid Khanani‘s 16-week Friday evening halaqa for teen high school boys from 9th through 12th grade.

These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident and faithful Muslim men. This will be the only offered for boys on Friday nights in 2022. Younger-age boy’s halaqas planned for January 2023. These halaqas are for teens ages 14-18 only. No younger boys. Capped at 30 teens. Once full, please join the waitlist.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Fridays | November 11 to March 17 (Ramadan ’23) ($100 from January 11 to March 17) | Register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/boys

The MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a family in the East Bay from benefiting from any offering at the MCC facility. To request a financial waiver, please complete the application at mcceastbay.org/scholarship

To make an appointment for parents or youth to meet with MCC’s Youth leaders:

– Maryam Awwal: http://calendly.com/mcc-maryam

– Hafiz Zaid Khanani: http://calendly.com/mcc-zaid

Friday evening sessions in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023:

– November 11 (free preview session; no registration required)

– November 18 (registration required to join from this session onwards)

– November 25 (no session)

– December 2

– December 9

– December 16

– December 23 (no session)

– December 30 (no session)

– January 6, 2023 (no session)

– January 13, 2023

– January 20, 2023

– January 27, 2023

– February 3, 2023

– February 10, 2023

– February 17, 2023

– February 24, 2023

– March 3, 2023

– March 10, 2023

– March 17, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

Zaid Khanani is a Marriage and Family Therapy trainee with the City of Fremont, Youth and Family Services. He graduated from Zaytuna College and completed his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the Wright Institute. Hafiz Zaid continues his formal Islamic Studies with local teachers and scholars overseas. He is a former Islamic Studies teacher at Northstar Islamic School and teaches numerous online classes.

*Canceled* Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj: The Miraculous Night Journey | Shaykh Abdullah bin Hamid Ali
2023-02-17 20:00 - 22:00
Join Shaykh Abdullah bin Hamid Ali for a faith-affirming evening to learn lessons from the Prophet’s blessed heavenly ascension: Al-Isra wal-Mi’raj.

MCC annually commemorates a momentous occasion in the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ life: the miraculous Night Journey to Jerusalem and Ascension to Heaven (al-Isra wal-Mi’raj). This event starts right after the congregational Isha prayer at 8 p.m.

8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. | Friday, February 17 | MCC Prayer Hall | Free; no registration necessary

This event will be recorded and posted later but not live streamed.

– Past talks commemorating Al Isra Wal Miraj: https://mcceastbay.org/isra

– More Sheikh Abdullah: https://mcceastbay.org/abdullah

Muslims worldwide remember this event as one that changed the course of history. Allah bestowed the tremendous honor of this journey and the command of Prayer (salah) upon His Messenger – a perpetual gift and source of comfort for Muslims until eternity.

This webinar is also an excellent way to begin spiritually preparing ourselves for Ramadan and enlivens our spirit to get through the uncertainty we are challenged with now.

More about this particular night:

Isra Mi’raj is celebrated on the 27th of Rajab. This night happened in 621, which is the year of sadness (‘Aam ul Huzn) when Abu Talib & Khadijah (RA) died. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) rode Buraq (a white steed) during his journey, and Allah enjoined 50 prayers and reduced the prayers to five.

He met different Prophets on the journey:

– 7th Heaven met Ibrahim (AS)

– 6th Heaven met Musa (AS)

– 5th Heaven met Harun (AS)

– 4th Heaven met Idris (AS)

– 3rd Heaven met Yusuf (AS)

– 2nd Heaven met Isa (AS) & Yahya (AS)

– 1st Heaven met Adam (AS)

MI’RAJ – Ascend to heaven, where he speaks to GodISRA’ – Night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem

About the Speakers: Shaykh Dr. Abdullah Ali is a scholar of Islamic law with field specialties in Islamic Theology as well as Race and Blackness Studies in Muslim History. His research interests include the interconnection between law and identity formation, comparative Islamic law, and Islam’s role in the modern world. At Zaytuna College, Dr. Ali teaches Jurisprudential Principles, Family Law, Inheritance Law, Commercial Law, Prophetic Tradition, Creedal Theology, and Islamic Virtue Ethics. He received his BA or Al-Ijazah Al-‘Ulya from Al-Qarawiyyin University in Shariah in 2001. He received both his MA and Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in 2012 and 2016, respectively. Before his post at Zaytuna College, Dr. Ali was a chaplain at State Correctional Institute in Chester, PA, from 2002 to 2007. His Ph.D. thesis, titled “The ‘Negro’ in Afro-Arabian Muslim Consciousness,” demonstrates the interplay between conceptions and perceptions of race in constructing class differences; it is an example of how race taxonomies are constructed and employed to impress upon peoples’ psychological states and sociocultural sensibilities. It aims to uncover how indigenous black African Muslims responded to challenges to their humanity and agency by their Arab coreligionists who saw themselves as ethnically and culturally superior to their brethren. Dr. Ali is fluent in Arabic. Dr. Ali joined Zaytuna College in 2007.

– More Sidi Abdullah: https://mcceastbay.org/abdullah

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Ilm Classes for Middle & High Schoolers (Boys & Girls) | Sr. Maryam Awwal & Hafiz Zaid Khanani
2023-02-18 10:00 - 11:15
Join MCC Youth Leaders, Sr. Maryam Awwal and Hafiz Zaid Khanani, for 9 weeks Saturday Ilm classes offered for both middle & high school girls and boys ( 6th through 12th grades). The classes will cover the Creed of Imam al-Tahawi.

These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident and faithful Muslim women and men. These classes are for girls & boys ages 11-18 only. Capped at 30. Once full, please join the waitlist.

10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Saturdays | January 21 to March 18 (Ramadan ’23) | $120 per child | Register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/ilm-classes

The MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a family in the East Bay from benefiting from any offering at the MCC facility. To request a financial waiver, please complete the application at mcceastbay.org/scholarship

Saturday morning sessions in 2023:

– January 21, 2023

– January 28, 2023

– February 4, 2023

– February 11, 2023

– February 18, 2023

– February 25, 2023

– March 4, 2023

– March 11, 2023

– March 18, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

Saturday Morning Middle School Boys Halaqa | Hafiz Zaid Khanani
2023-02-18 11:30 - 12:45
Join MCC Youth Leader Hafiz Zaid Khanani‘s 9-week Saturday morning halaqa for middle school boys from 6th through 8th grade.

These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident and faithful Muslim men. This will be the only offered for boys on Saturday mornings in 2023. These halaqas are for boys ages 11-13 only. Capped at 30 boys. Once full, please join the waitlist.

11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. | Saturdays | January 21 to March 18 (Ramadan ’23) | $120 per child | Register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/middle-school-halaqa

The MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a family in the East Bay from benefiting from any offering at the MCC facility. To request a financial waiver, please complete the application at mcceastbay.org/scholarship

Saturday morning sessions in 2023:

– January 21, 2023

– January 28, 2023

– February 4, 2023

– February 11, 2023

– February 18, 2023

– February 25, 2023

– March 4, 2023

– March 11, 2023

– March 18, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

LOCATION

MCC East Bay, 94588

Secrets of Divine Love Book Club
2023-02-18 18:00 - 20:00
MCC is hosting a Secrets of Divine Love book club/discussion group every other Saturday evening.
Join us as we collectively strive toward mindfully opening our hearts to Allah’s love for us and our love for Allah. Each chapter contains its own exercises that will serve as the focal point for our discussions, and each chapter stands alone so you can attend any session that is convenient for you without the need to ‘catch up.’
The first session will be abridged and focus on the Introduction, the Reading with an Open Heart preface, and set the stage for future discussions for those who hope to attend all or most of the sessions and follow the progression.
This book club will be held every other week for a Saturday Book Club discussing the internationally acclaimed book by A. Helwa, Secrets of Divine Love. Each session will cover a chapter and include group discussions, reflections, and exercises from the book. The discussion takes place every other Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and in Summer ’22 runs from Saturday, August 20, 2022, to Saturday, March 4, 2023.
RSVP for the registration at https://mcceastbay.org/divine-love-bookclub. RSVP is requested.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Every other Saturday | August 20 to March 4 | Conference Room | In-person only (no virtual option)
Class Schedule:

-Intro

– Aug 20, 2022

-Chapter 1 – Allah

– Sep 3, 2022

Chapter 2 – Humanity

– Sep 17, 2022

-Chapter 3 – Qur’an

– Oct 1, 2022

-Chapter 4 – Islam/Iman/Ihsan

– Oct 15, 2022

-Chapter 5 – Tawba

– Oct 29, 2022

-Chapter 6 – Shahadah

– Nov 12, 2022

-Chapter 7 – Salat

– Dec 3, 2022

-Chapter 8 – Zakat

– Dec 17, 2022

-Chapter 9 – Ramadan

– Jan 7, 2023

-Chapter 10 – Hajj

– Jan 21, 2023

-Chapter 11 – Death

– Feb 4, 2023

-Chapter 12 – Heaven and Hell

– Feb 18, 2023

-Conclusion

– Mar 4, 2023

Disclaimer
This book club is intended to stimulate thought and reflection, not teach deen. It is NOT a fiqh or aqidah class. The book contains various references and concepts that do not align with traditional Islamic scholarship on those subjects. If any participant has any questions about what scholars say about any of the concepts mentioned in the book or discussed in the book club meetings, we strongly recommend consulting a scholar they know and trust and/or forwarding those questions to the organizers of the book club so that we can get guidance from a scholar and share that guidance with the group.
We intended to approach the abstract ideas found in this book as thought experiments and the exercises as cardio for the spiritual heart. Nothing in the book or book club meetings should be viewed as replacing, undermining, or contradicting traditional Islamic scholarship in any way.
Discussion Group Guidelines

– Everyone has something to say, everyone has something to learn

-Shy people encouraged to contribute
-Talkative people encouraged to restrain themselves

– Confidentiality

-Do not share people’s reflections outside of the group. Can say stuff like “somebody in my book club made me think (this or that) about (this or that)”, but not “(so and so) said …”

– 70 excuses

-Give your sisters/brothers every benefit of the doubt as far as their intention with whatever they say, particularly what you may disagree with

– ‘Dinner after’

-If you have differences of opinion during the discussion, remember the intention is beneficial learning that we are all working together to achieve. So you leave those differences of opinion at the door when we’re done and still be ready to go to dinner after with people you may have disagreed with (see 70 excuses rule)

– Be chill

-Emotional subject matter requires conscious intention to remain emotionally intelligent and not let ourselves get carried away. Particularly the brothers, don’t get aggressive or excited, appropriate adab with each other and with our sisters is required

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

– https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Divine-Love-Spiritual-Journey/dp/1734231203

*Audiobook voiced by author available
About the Book

Secrets of Divine Love was written for the longing heart, for the one who is searching for something they have not been able to find. For the one who sometimes spirals into hopelessness and cannot help but feel too imperfect for a perfect God to love. This book is for the one who is at the edge of their faith, who has experienced religion as a harsh winter instead of the life-bearing spring it was sent to be by God.
Secrets of Divine Love serves as a compass and guiding light that returns you to the source of divine peace and surrender. Through the practices and pillars of Islam, you will learn how to unlock your spiritual potential and unveil your divine purpose. A. Helwa uses a rational, yet heart-based approach towards the Qur’an that not only enlightens the mind, but inspires the soul towards deeper intimacy with Allah. By weaving together dozens of inspiring mystical stories, Qur’an verses, Hadith, poetry, psychology, and science, the author breaks down Islam in a way that is both digestible and inspiring for millennial Muslims.
Author: A. Helwa
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 385 pages
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Naulit Publishing House
About the Author
A. Helwa believes that every single person on Earth is deeply loved by the Divine. She is a writer who has inspired hundreds of thousands of readers through her passionate, poetic, and love-based approach to spirituality. Her popular blog @quranquotesdaily, was established while obtaining her Masters in Divinity, as a means of helping others overcome personal and spiritual struggles on their journey of experiencing divine love. With over 15 years of experience writing and speaking on Islam and spiritual development, A. Helwa draws from her personal experiences and traditional sources to help her readers access ‘Divine love in everyday life.’

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Secrets of Divine Love Book Club
2023-02-18 18:00 - 20:00
Starting Saturday, August 20th, MCC will be hosting a Secrets of Divine Love book club/discussion group every other Saturday evening. Join us as we collectively strive toward mindfully opening our hearts to Allah’s love for us and our love for Allah. Each chapter contains its own exercises that will serve as the focal point for our discussions and each chapter stands alone so you can attend any session that is convenient for you without the need to ‘catch up’.
The first session will be abridged and focus simply on the Introduction, the Reading with an Open Heart preface and set the stage for future discussions for those who hope to attend all or most of the sessions and follow the progression.
This book club will be held every other week for a Saturday Book Club discussing the internationally acclaimed book by A. Helwa, Secrets of Divine Love. Each session will cover a chapter and will include group discussions, reflections, and exercises from the book. The discussion takes place every Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and in Summer ’22 runs from Saturday, August 20 2022 to Saturday, March 4, 2023.
RSVP for the registration at https://mcceastbay.org/divine-love-bookclub. RSVP is requested.
Saturdays | August 20 to March 4 | Conference Room | In-person only.
Disclaimer
This book club is intended to stimulate thought and reflection, not teach deen. It is NOT a fiqh or aqidah class. The book contains various references and concepts that do not align with traditional Islamic scholarship on those subjects. If any participant has any questions about what scholars say about any of the concepts mentioned in the book or discussed in the book club meetings, we strongly recommend consulting a scholar they know and trust and/or forwarding those questions to the organizers of the book club so that we can get guidance from a scholar and share that guidance with the group.
We intended to approach the abstract ideas found in this book as thought experiments and the exercises as cardio for the spiritual heart. Nothing in the book or book club meetings should be viewed as replacing, undermining, or contradicting traditional Islamic scholarship in any way.
Discussion Group Guidelines

-Everyone has something to say, everyone has something to learn

-Shy people encouraged to contribute
-Talkative people encouraged to restrain themselves

-Confidentiality

-Do not share people’s reflections outside of the group. Can say stuff like “somebody in my book club made me think (this or that) about (this or that)”, but not “(so and so) said …”

-70 excuses

-Give your sisters/brothers every benefit of the doubt as far as their intention with whatever they say, particularly what you may disagree with

-‘Dinner after’

-If you have differences of opinion during the discussion, remember the intention is beneficial learning that we are all working together to achieve. So you leave those differences of opinion at the door when we’re done and still be ready to go to dinner after with people you may have disagreed with (see 70 excuses rule)

-Be chill

-Emotional subject matter requires conscious intention to remain emotionally intelligent and not let ourselves get carried away. Particularly the brothers, don’t get aggressive or excited, appropriate adab with each other and with our sisters is required

Class Schedule:

-Intro

-Aug 20, 2022

-Chapter 1 – Allah

-Sep 3, 2022

Chapter 2 – Humanity

-Sep 17, 2022

-Chapter 3 – Qur’an

-Oct 1, 2022

-Chapter 4 – Islam/Iman/Ihsan

-Oct 15, 2022

-Chapter 5 – Tawba

-Oct 29, 2022

-Chapter 6 – Shahadah

-Nov 12, 2022

-Chapter 7 – Salat

-Dec 3, 2022

-Chapter 8 – Zakat

-Dec 17, 2022

-Chapter 9 – Ramadan

-Jan 7, 2023

-Chapter 10 – Hajj

-Jan 21, 2023

-Chapter 11 – Death

-Feb 4, 2023

-Chapter 12 – Heaven and Hell

-Feb 18, 2023

-Conclusion

-Mar 4, 2023

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

–https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Divine-Love-Spiritual-Journey/dp/1734231203

*Audiobook voiced by author available
About the Book

Secrets of Divine Love was written for the longing heart, for the one who is searching for something they have not been able to find. For the one who sometimes spirals into hopelessness and cannot help but feel too imperfect for a perfect God to love. This book is for the one who is at the edge of their faith, who has experienced religion as a harsh winter instead of the life-bearing spring it was sent to be by God.
Secrets of Divine Love serves as a compass and guiding light that returns you to the source of divine peace and surrender. Through the practices and pillars of Islam, you will learn how to unlock your spiritual potential and unveil your divine purpose. A. Helwa uses a rational, yet heart-based approach towards the Qur’an that not only enlightens the mind, but inspires the soul towards deeper intimacy with Allah. By weaving together dozens of inspiring mystical stories, Qur’an verses, Hadith, poetry, psychology, and science, the author breaks down Islam in a way that is both digestible and inspiring for millennial Muslims.
Author: A. Helwa
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 385 pages
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Naulit Publishing House
About the Author
A. Helwa believes that every single person on Earth is deeply loved by the Divine. She is a writer who has inspired hundreds of thousands of readers through her passionate, poetic, and love-based approach to spirituality. Her popular blog @quranquotesdaily, was established while obtaining her Masters in Divinity, as a means of helping others overcome personal and spiritual struggles on their journey of experiencing divine love. With over 15 years of experience writing and speaking on Islam and spiritual development, A. Helwa draws from her personal experiences and traditional sources to help her readers access ‘Divine love in everyday life.’

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
