Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamoalaikum

I would like to enquire about Sufism, recently my friend introduce me Akram Awan Saheb( http://www.owaisiah.com/) and some methods of Zikr and various associated concepts like Silsila etc.I would like to ask if its ok to perform some sort of zikr like "Allah Hu" in some specific way with some some specific conditions (in dark etc) and what is its significance (according to my friend it will lead to Tazkiyah)

Thanks in advance.

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Answer:

Sufi worship

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 151:

151 A similar (favor have ye already received) in that We have sent among you a Messenger of your own (Mohamed (saws)), rehearsing to you Our signs and sanctifying (tazkiyah) you, and instructing you in Scripture and Wisdom and in Knowledge.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 151:

129 (And Ibraheem (a.s.) prayed) "O Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (Mohamed (saws)), who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them, and instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, and sanctify (tazkiyah) them; for Thou art the Exalted in Might the Wise."

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 62 Surah Jumuah verse 2:

2 It is He Who has sent amongst the unlettered a Messenger (Mohamed (saws)) from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify (tazkiyah) them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom although they had been before in manifest error.

One amongst the many reasons Allah Subhanah declares He appoints and sends His Messengers is so that they may teach mankind how to spiritually purify themselves (tazkiyah).

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzab verse 21:

There is indeed the best example for you to follow in the Messenger of Allah, for every such person looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.

Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon: “The best speech is that which is embodied in the Book of Allah, the Al Quran; and the best guidance is the guidance given by me, Mohamed (saws). The most evil affairs are the innovations, and every innovation is an error.”

The only ‘tazkiyah’ or spiritual purification which is acceptable and pleasing to Allah Subhanah is through what is laid down by the Lord in His Glorious Quran and what is related from the Prophet (saws) in his authentic and established Sunnah. If one seeks any other method, or rite, or ritual, or way of ‘tazkiyah’ other than that which is endorsed by Allah and His Messenger (saws)….such methods would constitute clear and manifest innovations and a sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

There is absolutely no evidence in the Quran or the Sunnah that the Messenger of Allah (saws) ever himself did ‘zikr like "Allah Hu" in some specific way with some specific conditions (in dark etc)’, nor guided the believers to such a format or method of ‘dhikr’ (Remembrance) or ‘tazkiyah’ (spiritual purification)! And when Allah and His Messenger (saws) have not endorsed a deed in the deen, it can be nothing but an evil innovation….and every single innovation in the pure and perfect deen of Islam is an error and a grave sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

Aisha narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘If somebody innovates something which is not present in our religion, then that thing will be rejected.’

Related by Bukhari.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4515 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “If anyone introduces an innovation (in religion), he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allah, by His Angels, and by all the people.”

In conclusion brother, if any act of worship is endorsed by Allah and His Messenger (saws), believe it with conviction that it would constitute a lawful method of doing ‘dhikr’ (Remembrance) and a form of ‘tazkiyah’ (spiritual purification)…..but if one is advised to do any act or deed of worship which is not specifically endorsed by Allah and His Messenger (saws), know with absolute conviction that it can be nothing but a manifest ‘bida’ and innovation….and every single innovation in the pure and perfect deen of Islam is an error and a sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan