Discussion of the hadith: (The Hour will not come upon one who says Allah, Allah) and the Shaykh’s mention of a discussion he had with a Naqshbandi Sufi regarding the innovation of the Sufis’ dhikr (Allah, Allah), which they call the singular dhikr.

The Shaykh : What is the meaning of , that is, one who says there is no god but Allah? The evidence for this is that this same hadith, which Muslim narrated from Anas in the concise wording "Allah, Allah," was narrated by Imam Ahmad with a sound chain meeting Muslim’s conditions in the wording . So this other narration explained the first one. I had argued with some of the Naqshbandi shaykhs about this hadith. I said to him, "Where did you get what you call the singular dhikr, 'Allah, Allah, Allah'? Specifically, these Naqshbandis recite it with their hearts, as I said earlier. What did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say? Yes, but I ask you: Is the dhikr with the wording 'Allah, Allah' obligatory? He said, 'No.' Is it a duty? He said, 'No.' Is it a confirmed sunnah? He said, 'No.' I said to him, 'At most, the wording deserves to be recommended, and other dhikr is better. But it is like dhikr; its best state is that it is recommended.' He said to me, 'Yes.' I said to him, 'What do you think if the Muslim community agreed to perform everything Allah has made obligatory upon them of acts of obedience, duties, and recommended sunnahs, and they left this recommended act? Would the Hour come upon them?' He said, 'No.' I said to him, 'But if they associate partners with Allah and worship other than Allah, do they not deserve the Hour to come?' He said, 'Yes.' I said, 'Then, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said . If the Muslims preserve all acts of obedience and worship and leave the dhikr of 'Allah, Allah,' do they become the worst of people and deserve the Hour to come upon them?' The man was left speechless and spoke in a way that we no longer admire regarding the method of research and discussion. This is very clear. 'Allah, Allah' is a good dhikr. If Muslims left this dhikr, would they deserve the Hour to come upon them? No, the Hour will not come except upon the worst of creation. The worst of creation are those who associate partners with Allah and do not say there is no god but Allah. Upon them the Hour will come.
In summary, it is always and absolutely necessary to interpret the texts in light of the reality of the life of the Messenger (peace be upon him) and the life of the righteous Salaf, just as I gave you this example. This means... the issue, and many of the difficulties and doubts will go away from your minds. Come, let us pray two rak'ahs for Allah in congregation. What is wrong with that? There is a consideration. What is the consideration? The Messenger (peace be upon him) did not do it. All these innovations that we deny, he (peace be upon him) did not do them.

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : ... this is decreed
Another questioner: This knowledge is based on something decreed...