ISNA MATTERS
Young Muslimas Growing in Faith Together MYNA’s initiative ISRAA brings together young Muslimas who seek knowledge and spiritual growth BY KHADEEJAH RYAN The year 2020 was indeed a test for all of us, but it was My term as ISRAA secretary has already been an experience also a time for personal growth and strengthening our Deen by that I will never forget. I absolutely love creating and helping to getting closer to God. organize the class, and receiving the students’ positive feedback is We thank God for the opportunities we have, despite all of the immensely rewarding. challenges the Covid-19 year brought. God is always with us, and This class has grown my love for Islam, something that I also there is so much comfort in turning to Him in times of happiness saw happening with my fellow Muslimas. and gratitude, as well as in moments of weakness and desperation. One ISRAA student reflected on the class experience, “I feel more Taking that first step forward, no matter how small, is crucial. spiritual, mentally and physically connected to Allah (subhanahu wa MYNA’s latest initiative, ISRAA: Secrets of Supplication (myna. ta‘ala) than ever before!” We are discovering parts of our identity org/israa), helped many students, including myself, increase our daily and strengthening our Deen while taking in this new informaworship and conversation with God. tion and experiences. Each week, the EACH WEEK, THE PERSONAL I have the privilege of being ISRAA personal challenges gave everyone the secretary for 2020-21. Our classes are extra push to incorporate the lessons we CHALLENGES GAVE EVERYONE organized by young Muslimas aged learned into our lives, and thus helped THE EXTRA PUSH TO us strive to better our connection with 12-18 to best suit the class participants, INCORPORATE THE LESSONS who are of the same ages. This creates an God and make it our goal to be in a effective and welcoming learning enviconstant state of remembrance. ISRAA WE LEARNED INTO OUR LIVES, ronment in which we can gain knowlreminds us that our purpose in life is AND THUS HELPED US STRIVE TO to do everything for our Lord and that edge and experience spiritual growth. The class showed the truth in that BETTER OUR CONNECTION WITH Islam truly is a beautiful way of life. statement. For eight weeks, this hourAnother component that I loved GOD AND MAKE IT OUR GOAL long Sunday-night class was the highwas the group du‘a that wrapped up TO BE IN A CONSTANT STATE OF the class. It perfectly portrayed the light of my week. In this time of staying beauty of God’s forgiveness and the six feet apart, our hearts were coming REMEMBRANCE. together. And although we were gathgreat reward for the smallest actions, ering virtually, that did not hinder our such as the mere uttering of words of remembrance like Subhan Allah (May learning and bonding in the least. Quite the opposite! The ambiance of a group He Be Exalted), Al hamdu lillah (Praise of young Muslimas gathering for the be to God), Allahu Akbar (God is the sake of God was undeniably beautiful. Greatest) and Astagfirullah (I seek forThe topic of supplication enabled giveness in God). Together, we learned us to build and then implement good to incorporate supplication into our habits in our daily lives. The content we daily routines and to immerse ourlearned together showed us the beauty selves in a state of remembrance that and vastness of our Lord’s mercy. The will influence our actions and choices. class’ social aspect allowed us to conThrough these quick yet extremely nect with fellow Muslimas of similar beneficial eight weeks, I learned that ages, create a safe space in which we we can implement small changes in our lives that have the potential to could ask our questions and acquire new information to help us expand our impact our faith greatly and to bring knowledge of Islam and how we should us closer to God. I am looking forward live our lives. to the future ISRAA classes in hopes of As a committee, we were always increasing my love for Islam and drive to become a better Muslima. looking for ways to improve the class while simultaneously making it fun I hope many more young women and engaging. Every session was a new decide to join me on this journey of chance to form bonds of sisterhood self-growth and of strengthening our via interactive games, whether it was Deen and sisterhood for the sake of creating virtual poster boards, breakout God. ih room discussions and reflections or fun Khadeejah Ryan is a high school senior from Illinois and secretary of the ISRAA committee (2020-21). review games. 10 ISLAMIC HORIZONS MARCH/APRIL 2021
