The Principle in Acts of Worship
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Is there a principle governing dhikr (remembrance of Allah), especially since we find some groups dedicating a specific time after the Maghrib prayer to raising their voices in dhikr after the prayer?
The principle in dhikr, or in other acts of worship, is what the Sunnah has brought. What the Sunnah has brought is truth, and what the Sunnah has not brought is a religious innovation (bid'ah); because the original ruling in acts of worship is prohibition and prevention until evidence establishes that they are prescribed. So, did this come from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), or from the Rightly Guided Caliphs, regarding those who gather after Maghrib and raise their voices in takbir or tasbih in a collective manner?Answer: No.
So, since it did not come from the Messenger or the Rightly Guided Caliphs, it is not a Sunnah; it is a religious innovation (bid'ah) from which one is forbidden.
The questioner: And what is the ruling on praying with this group?The Shaykh: I mean: your intention is to be a ma'mum (one praying behind the imam), so there is no harm in praying behind them; because this religious innovation (bid'ah) does not make them disbelievers,I say: it does not make them disbelievers,Meaning: this religious innovation (bid'ah) is not one that entails disbelief, unless you fear that if you pray behind them, they or others will be led astray because you prayed behind them. In that case, do not pray behind them.
The principle in dhikr, or in other acts of worship, is what the Sunnah has brought. What the Sunnah has brought is truth, and what the Sunnah has not brought is a religious innovation (bid'ah); because the original ruling in acts of worship is prohibition and prevention until evidence establishes that they are prescribed. So, did this come from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), or from the Rightly Guided Caliphs, regarding those who gather after Maghrib and raise their voices in takbir or tasbih in a collective manner?Answer: No.
So, since it did not come from the Messenger or the Rightly Guided Caliphs, it is not a Sunnah; it is a religious innovation (bid'ah) from which one is forbidden.
The questioner: And what is the ruling on praying with this group?The Shaykh: I mean: your intention is to be a ma'mum (one praying behind the imam), so there is no harm in praying behind them; because this religious innovation (bid'ah) does not make them disbelievers,I say: it does not make them disbelievers,Meaning: this religious innovation (bid'ah) is not one that entails disbelief, unless you fear that if you pray behind them, they or others will be led astray because you prayed behind them. In that case, do not pray behind them.