In our village, in the month of Ramadan, and immediately after the call to the night prayer, we perform what we call (al-Witriyyah). We sit for about half an hour in a large gathering.
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : In our village, and specifically in the blessed month of Ramadan, and immediately after the call to the night prayer, we perform what we call al-Witriyyah. We sit for about half an hour in this al-Witriyyah in the form of a large gathering, in which we mention the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and the like. Is this an innovation? And is there a sin upon us for it?
The Shaykh : Yes, this is an innovation. I mean your gathering after the tarawih prayer, where you mention the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and others from the Companions or the Imams of Guidance. This is among the innovations that did not come from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) nor from his Companions. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Abi Dawud 4607Sahih (Al-Albani).
It is obligatory for the last of this Ummah to follow the example of the first of this Ummah. For the Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them) are closer to the truth than those who came after them, and more devoted to following the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in his Sunnah.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Yes, this is an innovation. I mean your gathering after the tarawih prayer, where you mention the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and others from the Companions or the Imams of Guidance. This is among the innovations that did not come from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) nor from his Companions. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Avoid novelties, for every novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is an error
إياكم ومحدثات الأمور ، فإن كل محدثة بدعة ، وكل بدعة ضلالة ، وكل ضلالة في النارIt is obligatory for the last of this Ummah to follow the example of the first of this Ummah. For the Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them) are closer to the truth than those who came after them, and more devoted to following the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in his Sunnah.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.