[HoniSoniproca]

Some of you may have heard about SeekersHub which opened up in Mississauga, Toronto. Its really a one of a kind project with regular classes on location and broadcast on the web to online audiences for free. There are classes happening all the time and more and more of them are being webcasted. So to keep up you can check out the Facebook page where the status will be updated right before the class begins (in case you forget). Its really impressive and really appealing for 2nd-3rd generation Canadian Muslims and converts.

Here are a list of the programs:

Weekend Programs

Saturday

Islamic Law for Seekers: Maraqi al-Falah Explained

8.30 am – 10.30 am ET – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
An intermediate-level class for those who have studied at least two or three texts in Islamic law, offering a deeper understanding of the text, subject, and the way of Islamic scholarship.

This class will be broadcast live online to our online classroom.


The Trodden Path: Imam Malik's Muwatta' Explained

10.30 – 11.30 am ET – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
An intermediate-level class for those familiar with the science of Prophetic traditions (hadith) and also with the essentials of Islamic law (fiqh). The full text of Imam Malik's Muwatta' will be covered with commentary from classical sources.

This class will be broadcast live online to our online classroom.


Sunday

Purification of the Heart

9:30 a.m.-10:30 ET – Habib Umar
This session is a live broadcast from Tarim, with simultaneous English translation by Sh. AbdulKarim Yahya.


Women's Class: The Prayer of the Righteous

11:00-1:00 ET – Ustadha Shireen Ahmed
This sisters-only class will cover how to pray with spiritual excellence, covering a classical text on The Prayer of Those Close to Allah.


Essentials of Islamic Worship

1:00-3:00 ET – Sayyid Mohammed Assaggaf
This circle offers an excellent introduction to Islamic worship, infused with spirituality by touching upon the inward dimensions. Taught according to the Shafi`i school, the text for this class will be provided in translation.


Women's Qur'anic Recitation

1:30 – 2:30 ET – Ustadha Fatima Ahmad
This is a practical class for all Muslim woman regardless of proficiency, focusing on the basic rules associated with the science of Qur'anic recitation (tajwid) and taught by a qualified instructor.


Imam Ghazali's Spiritual Counsels Explained

3:00-5:00 ET – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
An explanation of Imam Ghazali's letters in counsel to a close student. These letters emphasize seeking Allah in life, through living the way of knowledge, remembrance, and turning to Allah. The text is explained based on a classical commentary on the work by Imam al-Khadimi.

This class will be broadcast live online to our online classroom.


Weeknight Programs

Monday

Drop-in and Welcome Session

8:00-9:00 pm ET

Perfect Beauty: The Prophet Described

7:00 – 8:30 pm ET- Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
A complete description of the Prophet's appearance and character from Imam al-Iraqi's classical 1,000-line poem about the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

This class will be broadcast live online to our online classroom.


Open Q&A

8:30-9:00 pm ET
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani will answer questions from the audience and from those submitted to the SeekersGuidance Answers service.


Wednesday

Seekers Steps: Islamic Beliefs & Worship

7:00 – 9.30 pm ET - Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Imam Shurunbulali's classic primer on Islamic belief & worship, Ascent to Felicity (Maraqi al-Sa`adaat) will be covered. This is open to anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of these two key areas.


Thursday

Allah's Beautiful Names Explained

7:00 – 8:00 pm ET – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
The Beautiful Names of God are explained covering the meanings of each Name, how to turn to Allah through these meanings and how to attain related human virtues.


Celebrating the Beloved: Praising the Prophet

8:00 – 9:30 pm ET
A group recitation of Habib Umar's mawlid in praise of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), singing of one chapter of Imam Busiri's great Poem of the Mantle (Qasida Burda) and brief commentary.


Friday

Understanding the Qur'an

7:00-9:00 ET - Shaykh Yahya Rhodus & Imam Zaid Shakir
Important chapters of the Qur'an will be explained as well as commentary of verses describing the "Distinguishing Qualities of the Believers in the Qur'an."

[Colorostikse]

I guess I'll comment on this a little bit. I've been privileged to spend some time at Seekers Hub this Ramadan. Mashallah it has quite a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Shaykh Faraz has been having lectures before tarweeh, based on a poem by Imam Haddad regarding Islamic Virtues getting there for that is the best thing you can do if you're coming to the hub. Tarweehs are surah Tarweeh, so its relatively short, perfect for working people or people who are tired. Shaykh Faraz leads a few rakat, then Br. Nader Khan leads a few rakat. There have been two other brothers that have led on previous occasions. The carpet is pretty comfortable, the divider barrier is gentle and the womans area is pretty airy and welcoming. The Irada Art art on the walls is quite nice and well placed. it really creates a nice atmosphere. For iftar they use real plates and cups, so the volunteers work hard in washing them all post iftar, that is hard work. May Allah accept their efforts. Amen.

After 4 rakats, and after 8 rakats Shaykh Faraz advises us regarding a few things, after tarweeh, witr is not prayed and left for you to finish at home, after your personal Qiyam/Tahajjud. Once the 20 Rakats are done Br. Nader and Shaykh Faraz lead us in the recitation of Du’a al-Nasiri, which is quite amazing and needed considering what is happening in the world. After that Shaykh Faraz makes some brief comments and the night is done.

Lastly the bookstore they have at the back, I assume from Firdous Books, is pretty solid. There is none like it in Toronto that I know of. Most of the books present you'd have to wait until RIS to get them or order online. Having access to a bookstore like that year round is pretty awesome. White Thread Press, Islamic Texts Society, Turath, Fons Vitae, lots of books on Tasawuf and Fiqh. The bookstore itself is worth the trip there.

The location is pretty outside of Toronto, being at the south-western edge of Mississauga. The location has impacted the demographics of people that show up. There is no high density neighborhoods nearby, and its only easily accessible by car, thus teenagers are few, more like young adults, university aged or young parents. The nights I've been it hasn't been packed, despite the space being small. Its only the first year so I'm sure it'll grow. They also host many guests, so maybe the numbers swell some more then.

Here's the link to the recent 30mosques blog that a Brother did which I thought was a good description of whats going on:

http://30masjids.ca/day-7-seekershub-toronto/

[ceagsoosy]

They are doing a very noble act for the community.

May Allah put barakah in their efforts, amin. God bless.