Silver Lining: Sold Out IlmNight with Yasmin Mogahed

by Noor H. Salem

It’s no longer a surprise, but another sold-out event goes down in the history of Qabeelah Ittihaad Michigan as they welcome Ustadha Yasmin Mogahed for a very hope inspiring and heartwarming evening for her course, Silver Lining: Rising Above the Storm.

More than 700 attendees joined Saturday night at the IAGD masjid in Troy, making a beautiful social gathering quite memorable. The scene truly left the volunteer team in awe and evidently uplifted them from deep within. The class sold out prior to the evening of the course, leaving the team excited to see the fruits of their efforts ripen right before their eyes.

Ustadha Yasmin Mogahed, author of Reclaim Your Heart, seemed to touch the heart of every single individual sitting in that room that very evening. From reminding the audience about trust in Allah (SWT) through patience and hope to reshaping their vision and outlook on the future, she truly hit home. This was the perfect course to come to town after His Majesty with Shaykh Ammar AlShukry, as he shared insights of living with the names of Allah (SWT) in your day to day life. Remember, during hardship, prosperity, laughter and tears, through the graduation celebrations, or the pains of burying a loved one; Allah (SWT) is Al-Hayy, the Ever-Living.

He (SWT) is with you in every moment and is closer to you than your own jugular vein. During those moments where you feel like you are chocking on your heart and your vision is blurred, as you feel like the weight of life has become too heavy to carry, He (SWT) is Al-Fattah, who will open doors that you thought were forever sealed. During those moments where your heart feels shattered to pieces, and the light at the end of the tunnel is nowhere at sight, He (SWT) is Al-Jabbar, the One who will mend your heart.

Once you learn the names of Allah (SWT), you begin to call upon Him (SWT) through all ease, and through all hardship. Yasmin Mogahed shared stories, personal insights, and uplifting advice for anyone struggling, suffering, or in despair. The course was full of self-discovery and heart healing benefits.

As she says eloquently, “We always ask Allah (SWT) to cure us of hardships, but we never stop to consider that our hardships are curing us.” She adds that everyone has a struggle, but the scariest kind is to actually be oblivious of the test altogether.

Ustadha Yasmin covered things form isolation, loneliness, and removing one’s guilt of feeling down. It was truly a unique and life-changing seminar.

“Sister Yasmin made me laugh and cry at the same time, because the very eye that cried in anxiety of situation, laughed a laugh of relief truly knowing Allah (SWT) knows best” said one student with raw emotions still reflecting in their voice.

The Qabeelah’s team did another incredible job impressing the audience with their unique décor; the large foil balloons stating Silver Lining, the backdrop, and the stage as a whole were remarkably done. 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 79 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 Ittihad’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.

To learn more about Qabeelah Ittihaad or register for their upcoming seminars visit almaghrib.org/Michigan