How to Conduct Successful Quran Study Circle

Khurram Murad
01 July, 2020
In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the importance of studying the Quran collectively.

In this Part, we will provide you with some guidelines that should help in making the collective Quran study effective.

QURAN STUDY CIRCLES
Participants
One: The number of participants should be 3-10; with no great divergence in the levels of their knowledge and intelligence. Anything less will make it a dialogue, anything more may hinder the active participation of everyone.

Two: The stress should always remain on the message, context and what guidance and lessons are to be drawn. Never get entangled in fine points which have no relevance to real life.

How to Conduct Successful Quran Study Circle - About Islam
The Study Quran: Book Review
Three: All members should be fully aware of their aims, limitations and procedures.

Four: All members should have the necessary commitment to their task. They should also realize that time, attention and hard work will be required. It is especially important that regular preparation and attendance are observed.

Five: All members should know how to find their way through the Quran. A study of this book (the author’ Way to the Quran) may be of some use.

Six: The group members should not sit as strangers, but as brothers in faith in the Quran; committed to understanding and obeying it.

How to Conduct a Study Circle
One: One member should, first, make a presentation of the results of his study.

Two: The rest should then join in, further elaborating, correcting, modifying, raising questions, or providing answers.

Three: If all the members are required to study, then you may either designate beforehand who will do the presentation; this will result in better standards of presentation. Or, call upon anyone present to do the presentation; this will keep everyone alert and working hard.

How to Conduct Successful Quran Study Circle - About Islam
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Four: It will always be useful if at least one member of the circle is more knowledgeable and has access to sources. He would, then, during the discussion, overcome any deficiencies and shortcomings in the original presentation. He may also set and steer the tone and direction of discussion.

Five: If one member who is learned in the Quran participates, he should not intervene from the beginning. Rather he should let the participants say what they want to say, and only then, gently correct them if they are wrong, or add to their knowledge. His method should be suggestive and interrogative rather than discursive.

Six: Towards the end, one member should always sum up the broad message of the passage, its main themes, and its call to action.

How to Live as a Muslim?
01 July, 2020
QAs-Salamu alaykum. I was inviting a Belgian Christian to Islam; he has accepted many things especially the concept of God, the purpose of life, and prophethood in Islam. Yet, he said that he needs what is beyond that: He accepts and believes in "Why to live"; he wants to know "How to live." I think this is an important and a positive point, for Islam is so detailed and explains explicitly the topic that he asked for. However, I need your advice and some relevant examples on how Islam provides us with a perfected way of life. Jazakum Allah khayran.
ANSWER

AElfwine Mischler
01 July, 2020
Short Answer:

Muslims go on with their daily activities as much as anyone else.The differences come in their attitude toward their daily activities.
Dedicated Muslims know that everything they do in conformance to God’s laws is an act of worship that will be rewarded if it is done with the intention of pleasing God.

Salam Dear Sary,

Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.

May Allah reward you for your efforts in da`wah. Just keep in mind that you will be rewarded not according to whether or not your friend accepts Islam, but according to your efforts, for it is only Allah Who opens hearts.

How to Live as a Muslim?
In some ways, Muslims don’t live much differently from non-Muslims. They go to work, shop, play, get married, spend time with family and friends as much as anyone else. The differences come in their attitude toward their daily activities.

Dedicated Muslims know that everything they do in conformance to God’s laws is an act of worship that will be rewarded if it is done with the intention of pleasing God. Even having intercourse with one’s spouse will be rewarded.

The most obvious manifestation of Muslims’ belief is the performance of five daily Prayers called salah. Muslims should schedule their activities around the Prayers and also try to keep God in mind throughout the day.

This may be the biggest change in your friend’s lifestyle, as it probably will entail getting up earlier than he is accustomed, finding a place to pray at work, and changing the daily schedule a bit, especially on Fridays when he must attend the congregational Jumu`ah Prayer in a mosque. (Editor’s note: Under COVID-19 this ruling has changed) (But the personal relationship with God—with no intermediaries—is all-important and must be begun from the start.

Muslims should also develop their character
Muslims should also develop their character. They should be kind, generous, honest, trustworthy, and hard-working. Your friend probably has at least some of these qualities already, and he should work on improving himself.

From my own experience, I feel that the main difference between myself and my non-Muslim (Christian) family is our attitude toward God. As a Muslim I recognize God’s majesty and His right to make laws and to be obeyed.

For my family, God is someone they ask help from and someone they worship on Sundays, but His laws don’t really have much place in their lives. For sure, they don’t murder, steal, or cheat; but they accept pre-marital sex and homosexuality as just a part of modern life. “Times change.”

If my experience can be generalized—and for sure there are exceptions on both sides—then if your friend accepts Islam, he should expect to live his life differently because he wants to develop his relationship with God and keep in touch with Him.

Some rulings to keep in mind
A big change for many new Muslims is in how they spend their leisure time. They can’t drink with their old friends, or be around others when they are drinking. So unless their old friends are willing to meet without alcohol, new Muslims are often lonely.

I hope that the mosques near him will have supportive programs for new Muslims to help them make new friends and adjust to the many changes they have to make.

Of course, there will likely be changes in diet. Your friend will have to avoid pork and pork products and any non- halal meat. I’m not a scholar of fiqh, so I won’t try to define halal meat in Europe; there are various opinions on the subject of what exactly is and is not allowed for Muslims. But meat that is slaughtered by Islamic ritual should be widely available in Europe now, I think.

Your friend might also need to change his occupation if it conflicts with Islamic law. For example, Muslims are not only forbidden to drink alcohol, but they are also forbidden to manufacture, distribute, transport, sell, or serve alcohol. There are some occupations that deal with riba (interest) that are forbidden. You can check with our Ask the Scholar section for more on that.

Islam does attempt to deal with all aspects of life, but at the practical level we must realize that that is not always possible today. Many of the laws in Muslim countries conflict with Islamic Law (Shari`ah), and where Muslims are a minority they cannot always apply Shari`ah.

Still, we must strive to live in accordance with God’s laws as best we can. It should remain our ultimate goal as a Muslim Ummah (nation) to establish justice and live by the Shari`ah.

The lives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Companions can give us guidance and inspiration, but when questions arise on how to deal with certain situations, Muslims should turn to someone educated in Islamic fiqh(jurisprudence) for answers. There are many books written that discuss the basics of an Islamic society.

I hope this and the provided links answer your question satisfactorily.

And Allah knows best.

I hope this helps.

Salam and please keep in touch.

Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:

Please Guide Me: I’m a New Convert In Search of a Mentor

What is Your Best Advice for a New Eager Convert to Islam?

A Foreigner at Home: Living as a Western Muslim in the Muslim World