What is the ruling on adding to the prescribed dhikr after the obligatory prayer?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh. This person says: It happened that some of the brothers, when they finished the dhikr prescribed after the obligatory prayer, would begin other dhikr, such as saying Allahu Akbar, glorifying Allah, praising Him, and extolling Allah (Mighty and Majestic). He knows with certainty what is established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) after the prayers, but he says: "I am making use of my time by remembering Allah." Some of the brothers disapproved of his action and told him: "Do not connect this with the prescribed dhikr; restrict yourself to what was transmitted from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and do not add to it, for this is contrary to the Sunnah." So I ask you, O honorable Shaykh, to clarify this matter. What is the criterion in this? And what is the relationship between this issue and the added innovation (bid'ah)? Is it included in that?
The Shaykh : Yes, if a person adds to the prescribed dhikr and believes that this addition is prescribed in this place, then he is an innovator. But if he believes that what is prescribed is what the Sunnah brought, but as the brother said, he wants to make use of the time, then there is no harm. However, if he fears that people will follow his example and take his action as a precedent, then the prohibition comes from here, so that the ignorant person does not follow him. It is said to him: "Separate this from that, or at least do not raise your voice with what you add to the prescribed dhikr, so that people are not misled by it." Yes. There are four minutes left.
The Shaykh : Yes, if a person adds to the prescribed dhikr and believes that this addition is prescribed in this place, then he is an innovator. But if he believes that what is prescribed is what the Sunnah brought, but as the brother said, he wants to make use of the time, then there is no harm. However, if he fears that people will follow his example and take his action as a precedent, then the prohibition comes from here, so that the ignorant person does not follow him. It is said to him: "Separate this from that, or at least do not raise your voice with what you add to the prescribed dhikr, so that people are not misled by it." Yes. There are four minutes left.