The method of pronouncing Dhikr according to the Sufi order

The method of pronouncing Dhikr

according to the Sufi order

(Part No. 8; Page No. 399-400)


Q 1: Why are the Sufis interested in pronouncing the name of Allah rather than referring to His Attributes?


Q 2: Why do Muslims not mention Allah's Name and mention Him through the word of Tawhid La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah) and His Attributes?


Q 3: The Sufis claim that Allah's Name bears greater value but the Muslims say that La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah) holds the greatest importance.


A: The noble Ayahs and authentic Hadiths reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicated that the best of speech is the word of Tawhid La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah), according to his saying (peace be upon him): There are more than seventy branches of Iman (Faith/belief), the most superior of which is saying "La Ilaha Illa Allah" He (peace be upon him) had also said: The most preferred words to Allah are four: Subhan Allah (Glorified be Allah), Al-Hamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), la ilaha illa Allah (There is no deity but Allah) and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) .


Moreover, Allah has mentioned this word in His Great book (i.e. the Qur'an) in many places, among which is His Saying (Glorified be He): {Allâh bears witness that Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)}[Surah al Imrán 3:18]. In addition to His Saying (Glorified and Exalted be He): {So know (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that, Lâ ilâha illallâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), and ask forgiveness for your sin} [Surah Muhammad, 47:19] 


Thus, it is prescribed for Muslims to remember Allah using this word: La Ilaha Illa Allah in addition to other good permissible words such as Subhan Allah, Al-hamdullilah, Allahu Akbar and La hawla wala Quwwata Illa Billah (There is neither strength nor power except with Allah).


As for the Sufis' saying: words like "Allah, Allah" or "He, He", this is verily an act of Bid`ah (innovation in religion) and people should not adhere to this, for it had not been reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) or any of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Therefore, it is an act of Bid`ah, according to the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): Whoever does something that is a not part of this matter of ours (i.e. Islam) will have it rejected The Prophet (may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) also says: Whoever introduces a practice that is not religiously admitted, it is to be rejected (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) .


The meaning of his saying (peace be upon him): "it is to be rejected" is that it is unacceptable and people are not allowed to act in accordance with it.


Consequently, it is impermissible for Muslims to worship Allah by observing acts which are not prescribed by Him according to the mentioned Hadiths and other Hadiths reported to the same effect, for Allah (Glorified be He) says denouncing the Mushrikin (those who associate others in worship with Allah): {Or have they partners (with Allâh — false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allâh has not ordained?} [Qur'an 42: 21]


May Allah grant us all success and guide us to what pleases Him! As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)





Fatwas of Ibn Baz


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فتاوى ابن باز

تصفح برقم المجلد > المجلد الثامن > حول طريقة ذكر الله عند الصوفية حول طريقة ذكر الله عند الصوفية (الجزء رقم : 8، الصفحة رقم: 399) س1: لماذا يهتم الصوفيون بذكر الله فقط دون ذكر صفات الله؟ س2: لماذا لا يقوم المسلمون بذكر الله فقط ويقومون بذكر الله من خلال كلمة التوحيد وصفات الله؟ س3: الصوفيون يقولون: إِن اسم الله يحمل قيمة أكبر ولكن المسلمون يقولون: بل لا إِله إِلا الله تحمل القيمة الكبرى . ج: قد دلت الآيات الكريمات والأحاديث الصحيحة عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أن أفضل الكلام كلمة التوحيد: وهي لا إِله إِلا الله، كما في قول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم:  الإِيمان بضع وسبعون شعبة، فأفضلها قول: لا إِله إِلا الله  ، وقال عليه الصلاة والسلام:  أحب الكلام إِلى الله أربع: سبحان الله، والحمد لله، ولا إِله إِلا الله، والله أكبر  . وقد ذكر الله في كتابه العظيم هذه الكلمة في مواضع كثيرة؛ منها: قوله سبحانه:  شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلا هُوَ  وقوله عز وجل:  فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ  والمشروع للمسلمين جميعًا أن يذكروا الله بهذا اللفظ: لا إِله إِلا الله، ويضاف إِلى ذلك: سبحان الله، والحمد لله، والله أكبر، ولا حول ولا قوة إِلا بالله - كل هذا من الكلام الطيب المشروع.أما قول الصوفية : ( الله الله )، أو ( هو هو )، فهذا من البدع، ولا يجوز التقيد بذلك؛ لأنه لم ينقل عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، ولا عن أصحابه (الجزء رقم : 8، الصفحة رقم: 400) رضي الله عنهم فصار بدعة؛ لقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم:  من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد  ، وقوله عليه الصلاة والسلام:  من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد  متفق عليه .ومعنى قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم فهو رد: أي فهو مردود، ولا يجوز العمل به ولا يقبل.فلا يجوز لأهل الإِسلام أن يتعبدوا بشيء لم يشرعه الله؛ للأحاديث المذكورة؛ وما جاء في معناها؛ لقول الله سبحانه منكرًا على المشركين:  أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَنْ بِهِ اللَّهُ وفق الله الجميع لما يرضيه.والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته .