al-Dhikr al-Jamai bayn al-Ittiba wa al-Ibtida

al-Dhikr al-Jamai bayn al-Ittiba wa al-Ibtida (Collective Dhikr Between Following the Sunnah and Innovation) is a treatise by the Saudi theologian Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Khamis, an associate professor in the Department of Aqeedah at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…. The book examines the legal status in Islamic jurisprudence of collective vocal dhikr—the practice of assembling in mosques or homes to recite supplications and remembrances in unison Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.

Background and Purpose

The author was prompted to write the work because gathering for collective vocal remembrance had become widespread among the general public across many Muslim countries, leading some laypeople to believe that performing collective dhikr after the obligatory prayers was mandatory Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1. Seeking to clarify the Sunnah and refute religious innovations (bida'), al-Khamis undertook the study after searching for and finding no comprehensive, dedicated volume addressing all facets of collective dhikr al-Dhikr al-Jamai bayn al…. The work was also published as an academic research paper in the Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Sharia and Arabic Language Sciences Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu….

Structure and Content

The treatise is organized into an opening sermon (khutbat al-hajah), an introduction, a preliminary chapter, six core thematic chapters (mabahith), and a conclusion:

• Introduction (al-Muqaddimah): Details the reasons for choosing the topic, outlines the research methodology, and highlights the widespread misconception among laypeople regarding the obligation of collective dhikr after prayer Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Preliminary Chapter (al-Tamhid): Discusses the exalted rank of dhikr as an act of worship and establishes the principle that acts of worship are strictly bound by divine revelation (tawqifiyyah), leaving no room for personal opinion (ra'y) or juristic preference (istihsan) Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Chapter One (al-Mabhath al-Awwal): Defines dhikr linguistically and legally, and delineates collective dhikr as gathering after prescribed prayers or at other times to chant supplications, litanies, and remembrances in unison, whether led by an individual or recited collectively without a leader Mawsuat al-Firaq al-Munta…+1. It also reviews manifestations of collective recitation, such as chanting during circumambulation (tawaf) and walking (sa'i) in pilgrimage, at grave visits, and over loudspeakers during Eid takbirat Mawsuat al-Firaq al-Munta….
• Chapter Two (al-Mabhath al-Thani): Traces the historical emergence and documentation of collective dhikr as an innovation Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Chapter Three (al-Mabhath al-Thalith): Gathers and details the textual evidences and arguments presented by proponents who permit collective dhikr Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Chapter Four (al-Mabhath al-Rabi'): Presents the proofs of those who prohibit the practice, responds systematically to the proponents' arguments, and compiles legal rulings from classical and contemporary scholars Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1. It highlights that the Prophet ﷺ neither commanded nor practiced collective post-prayer supplication with his Companions, and records historical denunciations of the practice by early figures including Umar ibn al-Khattab, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, and Khabbab ibn al-Aratt, along with statements from Ibn Taymiyyah and Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi Mawsuat al-Firaq al-Munta…+1.
• Chapter Five (al-Mabhath al-Khamis): Articulates the legal ruling concluding that collective dhikr is an unsanctioned innovation Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Chapter Six (al-Mabhath al-Sadis): Outlines the negative repercussions and harms (mafasid) of collective dhikr for both the practitioner and others Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.
• Conclusion (al-Khatimah): Summarizes the findings and principal conclusions of the study Majallat Jamiat Umm al-Qu…+1.