Gatherings of zikr
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said ‘should I not inform you of the best deed, which will guarantee your salvation in this world as well as in the next. Listen! Hold fast on the zikr gatherings.’ (Mishkaatul Masabeeh p.67)
Saaiduna Abu Hurayra Radiallahu Anhu reported that the Prophet of Allah, Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam, said, “Allah Almighty has angels who travel the highways and by-ways seeking out the people of dhikr. When they find people remembering Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, they call out to one another, ‘Come to what you hunger for!’ and they enfold them with their wings stretching up to the lowest heaven. Their Lord – who knows best – asks them, ‘What are My slaves saying?’ They say, ‘They are glorifying You, proclaiming Your greatness, praising You and magnifying You.’ He says, ‘Have they seen Me?’ They say, ‘No, by Allah, they have not seen You.’ He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see Me?’ They say, ‘If they were to see You, they would worship You even more intensely and magnify You even more intensely and glorify You even more intensely.’ He says, ‘What are they asking for?’ They say, ‘They are asking You for the Garden.’ He says, ‘Have they seen it?’ They say, ‘No, by Allah, O Lord, they have not seen it.'” He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see it?’ They say, ‘If they were to see it, they would yearn for it even more strongly and seek it even more assiduously and would have an even greater desire for it.’ He says, ‘What are they seeking refuge from?’ ‘They are seeking refuge from the Fire.’ He says, ‘Have they seen it?’ He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see it?’ They say, ‘If they were to see it, they would flee from it even harder and have an even greater fear of it.’ He says, ‘I testify to you that I have forgiven them.’ One of angels says, ‘among them is so-and-so who is not one of them. He came to get something he needed.’ He says, ‘They are sitting and the one sitting with them will not be disappointed.’ (Sahih Bukhari p.948 v.2)
Imam Muslim and Imam Ahmad state that when believers assemble for zikr, angels immediately cover them with their wigs and the Grace of Allah descends on them, bestowing consolation and tranquillity. In return, Allah remembers them in the presence of his Confidants. (Dalaelus Suluk p.89)
Qadi Thanaullah Pani Pati in his “Tafsir Mazhari” has written that there are three types of zikr:
1. Oral, loudly
2. Oral, silently
3. Spiritual, within the heart known as Zikr Qalbi (Tafsir Mazhari p.41 v.3)
Practical zikr also known as ‘Zikr Faily’ is a type of zikr where a person’s action comprises of obedience to the commandments of Allah. For example praying, fasting, zakat and other types of worship and to the sunnah of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam.
According to the commentaries of the various hadith regarding the virtues of collective and group zikr it indicates to such gatherings where the name of Allah (SWA) is remembered. Similarly, worships and prayers, which is also a form of remembering Allah, can be meant in these ahadith.
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
