living islam _ Islamic tradition

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Dhikr Performed in a Group

(p. 163, Haqa'iq at-Tasawwuf, Shaykh 'Abdu'l-Qadir 'Isa)

Acts of worship performed in a group ­ which include dhikru'llah ­ are more excellent than acts of worship done alone. The hearts meet in the group, and in the group people find mutual help and harmony. The weak can take from the strong, those in darkness from those with light, the dense from the diaphanous, the ignorant from those with knowledge, and so forth.

Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When you come upon the meadows of the Garden, graze in them." He was asked, "What are the meadows of the Garden?" "Circles of dhikr," he replied. [at-Tirmidhi)

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Abu Hurayra reported from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There are no people who remember Allah without the angels surrounding them, mercy covering them, tranquillity descending on them, and Allah mentioning them to those who are with Him." (Muslim, at-Tirmidhi)

Mu'awiya reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went out to a circle of his Companions and asked, "What is it that has caused you to sit together?" They answered, "We have sat down to remember Allah and praise Him." He said, "Jibril came to me and reported to me that the angels are boasting about you." (Muslim, at-Tirmidhi)

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Anas also reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When you come upon the meadows of the Garden, graze in them." He was asked, "What are the meadows of the Garden?" "Circles of dhikr." he replied. [at-Tirmidhi)

The scholar Ibn 'Allan, commentator on al-Adhkar, said that this hadith means, "When you pass by a group remembering Allah, do the dhikr they are doing or listen to their dhikr. They are in the meadows of the Garden now or ultimately. The Almighty says, 'For him who fears the Station of his Lord there are two Gardens.' (55:45)"
[al-Futuhat ar-Rabbaniyya 'ala'l-Adhkar an-Nawawiyya]

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In his Hashiyya, at-Tahtawi says: "Ash-Shar'awi states that scholars, both early and modern, agree that it is recommended to remember Allah Almighty in a group in the mosques and elsewhere without any objection unless their dhikr aloud disturbs someone sleeping, praying, or reciting the Qur'an, as is confirmed in books of fiqh."