Local Al-Maghrib Seminar Attracts Student from Alaska

by Noor H. Salem

Shaykh Yaser Birjas came back to Michigan, this time for a seminar covering the reliever of sadness and worry, the blueprint to life, and the guidance to mankind: The Qur’an. His latest seminar in Michigan, Heavenly Hues: Thematic Tafseer; truly touched the hearts and minds of the students. More than sixteen travelers came from across the globe, the furthest all the way from Alaska. It was a beautiful gathering that formed smiles, tears, and a load of motivation to make the Qur’an apart of one’s life.

The weekend-long seminar was hosted by Qabeelah Ittihaad Michigan, Al-Maghrib’s chapter of Southeast Michigan, which was founded in 2005. Respect, integrity, manners, optimism, and helpfulness are all qualities of Qabeelah Ittihaad volunteers.

As of today, the Qabeelah has hosted more than 73 seminars and one-day seminars. Their mission is to help their communities by providing them with opportunities to seek Islamic knowledge in a fun, engaging, and extraordinary way.

It’s more than just sitting in a classroom and taking notes- bonds are built, memories are made, and seeds of friendship are planted. They’ve had more than four students complete the Al-Maghrib degree audit to its entirety, two of which are now Al-Maghrib instructors themselves. The Qabeelah hosts seminars on various topics, covering Qur’anic Tafseer, pillars of faith, beautiful patience, Fiqh of marriage, modesty and clothing, ethics and manners in Islam, history, and many more heart-warming courses. Other than hosting seminars several times a year, Qabeelah Ittihaad’s volunteers get together to put their knowledge into action: they give back to their community.

Of the many projects conducted, they’ve made almost 300 personal hygiene packages, brought hot food to a homeless shelter, helped pack clothing for the needy, and much more. They work as a team, strive as a team, and experience the incredible fruit of their efforts as a team, alike.

The class began on Friday discussing why we today have lost connection with the Qur’an today. Shaykh Yaser conducted a class activity, in which all students got into large groups. Each group then compiled the top five reasons they believe they’re disconnected with the Qur’an. Those included social media, lack of motivation, distractions, language barrier, and time. Shaykh Yaser went through all the points and broke the barrier of the excuses.

Shaykh Yaser also gave an incredible analogy of how the Qur’an truly is our guideline to live. If you recall the excitement of opening your new set of Legos or dream toy is at a peak. Yet, you don’t instantly know how to use it and need to go back to the instruction manual. Unquestionably, to Allah (swt) is the best of examples. Allah (swt) made the Qur’an our blueprint to life. If we want to prosper in our spirituality, finances, physical health, relationships, and most importantly, in the Akhirah, we must utilize This Book.

Not just read it with a mesmerizing tone. Not just memorize it. We must comprehend. Reflect. Ponder. And act upon it. We must bury ourselves in it if we want to truly succeed. Shaykh Yaser Birjas also touched based on the concept of loving wealth, and how it’s merely human nature. There’s nothing wrong with being wealthy, given that your means are halal, and what you spend it on is halal.

Additionally, he shared principles from the Qur’an to increase your rizq (provision), including having taqwa (God-consciousness), seeking forgiveness (istighfar), being amongst Al-Mutasadiqeen (those who give in charity), and being grateful to the myriad blessings that you have. It’s a promise of Allah (swt) that when you give in charity, you will be compensated with more. It goes back to your testimony of faith and having yaqeen that He (swt) will increase you.

Keep in mind, perhaps your “physically” dollars are not increasing, but the barakah in your wealth is, tremendously. “It goes back to giving when you don’t have much,” Shaykh Yaser emphasized.

One traveler was extremely excited when they were all called up at the closure of the seminar for gift bags. He later messaged the Ameer with his appreciation and feedback: “Jazakum Allah khairan to you and the team for your ihsan with the class this weekend. When you pulled out the mugs for the travelers all I could say was masha Allah, as I felt like you all really strove to have ihsan. May Allah accept and reward from everyone. Barak Allah feekum. Please keep up the great work!”

It was an incredible seminar filled with profound lessons, funny stories, and heartwarming motivation to open up the Divine Book. For more information about Qabeelah Ittihaad visit www.almaghrib.org/Michigan

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, SUNNAH SUPERFOODS, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other languages.