This hour is dedicated to reading selected passages from Fethullah Gülen’s writings on faith, character, and spiritual growth. The text is read aloud, with brief clarifications offered when needed.

This session offers a guided reading from Emerald Hills of the Heart, a work by Fethullah Gülen that explores the classical concepts of Sufism—Islam’s dimension of inner purification, character refinement, and spiritual awareness. The focus is on themes related to the heart and spiritual life, inviting participants to reflect on how these virtues shape one’s inner world and outward conduct.

This session focuses on readings from the classical hadith tradition—early records that preserve the words, teachings, and lived example of the Prophet Muhammad (PbuH). These texts, collected by scholars in the first centuries of Islam, help Muslims understand how ethical and spiritual principles were practiced in daily life.

Each week, participants read selected narrations from well-known collections such as Sahih al-Bukhari or Sunan Abu Dawud. The format is designed to be both accessible and reflective, bringing together:

The study typically follows three steps:

• Reading the hadith texts as they appear in the primary sources—sometimes a single narration, sometimes a thematic group or short chapter

• Exploring concise biographical portraits of narrators mentioned in the isnad, highlighting historical context and personal qualities that help illuminate the transmission of the hadith

• Drawing practical and ethical insights with the support of classical commentaries, allowing space for thoughtful reflection and questions

The session is led collaboratively by a small team of scholars in Islamic theology and hadith studies. Their role is not to lecture, but to guide participants through the material, provide historical context, and facilitate reflective conversation.

This weekly session focuses on a close, guided reading of selected Qur’anic verses.

 The format combines careful reading, comparison of classical and contemporary commentaries, and group discussion.

The study typically includes:

• Reading the Qur’anic verses together.

• Comparing interpretations from classical tafsir works to see how different exegetical approaches understand the passage

• Exploring contemporary insights, where appropriate, to connect the themes of the verses with present-day questions and lived experience

• Open discussion guided by scholars in Qur’anic studies and theology, who offer clarification and background when needed

The session aims to support reflective engagement with the Qur’an through multiple layers of interpretation.

Each Sunday, an invited speaker delivers a one-hour talk on a topic within their field of expertise. The session includes a full, uninterrupted presentation, followed by time for questions or brief discussion when appropriate.