Shakhsiyyah

Description

Shakhṣiyyah is a halaqah thematic unit for ages 8-9. This unit invites young hearts and minds to explore the rich and deeply rooted Islamic concept of shakhṣiyyah—the holistic sense of self and personal character that reflects the harmony between one’s outward actions (ẓāhir), inward states (bāṭin), and relationships with ourself, with others,  and with Allah (swt). At this critical age of shakhṣiyyah formation, learners are encouraged to ask themselves: Who am I? What shapes me? How can I grow into the best version of myself in the sight of Allah? The unit begins by introducing learners to the term shakhṣiyyah in a simple yet meaningful way, guiding them to understand that every human being is created upon a pure and natural state—the fiṭrah. They learn that shakhṣiyyah is not merely about outward behavior or personality traits, but about the whole self: body, heart, mind, soul, and spirit. Each child is encouraged to recognize and celebrate their uniqueness as a soul honored by Allah, yet also entrusted with the responsibility to develop that soul toward excellence (iḥsān).

Anchored in Qur’ānic guidance and Prophetic teachings, learners engage with key āyāt and aḥādīth that bring the concept of shakhṣiyyah to life., “Indeed, the most complete of the believers in īmān are those with the best character” (Tirmidhī), learners reflect on how to nurture and purify their shakhṣiyyah through practices like tazkiyah (self-purification), murāqabah (awareness of Allah), and taʾdīb al-nafs (disciplining the self). They explore how shakhṣiyyah is not something fixed, but cultivated over time through knowledge, action, and sincere intention (niyyah).

To deepen their understanding, learners study the lives of notable companions of the Prophet ﷺ, such as ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd—known for his humility, depth of knowledge, and connection to the Qur’ān—and Asmāʾ bint Abī Bakr, whose courage and loyalty exemplify moral strength and conviction. These real-life examples help children see that shakhṣiyyah can take many forms, yet always remains grounded in Prophetic values like honesty, bravery, compassion, and humility. Learners also examine the ʿIbād al-Raḥmān described in Sūrat al-Furqān, those who walk with dignity, respond to ignorance with peace, and spend their nights in worship, as models of a balanced, God-conscious self. The unit culminates in a student-led ḥalaqah where learners articulate their vision of shakhṣiyyah—growing into agents of iḥsān, rooted in tawḥīd, character, and mercy.

 How does ḥalaqah work? 

• Ḥalaqah is the pedagogy used by Prophet Muhammad (saw).
• During ḥalaqah,  the educator and learners sit together on the floor, in a circle facing each other. 
• Ḥalaqah begins with Bismillah and Qur’ān recitation and ends with a group duʿā’ which connects to the topic that has been discussed.
• All learners are encouraged to participate. Our ḥalaqah is dialogic – this means that learners engage in extended discussion amongst themselves with educators facilitating the dialogue through key questions and talking points.
• There is always room for direct instruction and storytelling, both of which are important. However, the main objective is to learn through dialogue drawing on the learners’ existing knowledge and building on it. 
• Educators are primarily responsible for contextualization of the information in a way that meets the needs of their learners. 

Need help with implementation? Our Dialogic Halaqah courses are carefully designed to support the effective implementation of our curriculum. They equip Islamic educators with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to bring dialogic halaqah into their classrooms and to nurture the shakhsiyah Islamiyah (Muslim personhood) of each learner through meaningful, reflective dialogue. Elevate your practice and explore our full range of courses here: https://ielc.learnworlds.com/courses