Is it permissible to make a collective supplication after a dhikr circle, or not?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : Some people gather for a session of dhikr, and at the end they perform a single collective supplication, where one person makes the du'a' and the others say: Ameen. Is this correct?
The Shaykh : This is correct if it is not made a habit. If it is made a habit, it becomes a sunnah, and it is not a sunnah.
The questioner : It is not permissible for them to stand up.
The Shaykh : I say: This is the answer. If this is a habit, such that whenever they sit they conclude with du'a', then it is a bid'ah (religious innovation) that we do not know from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). But if it is occasional, such as when a festival passes by them or there is an occasion for encouragement, and then they call upon Allah (Mighty and Majestic), there is no harm in it. This is because there is a difference between what is regular and what is occasional. The occasional thing may be done by a person sometimes without being blamed for it, just as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes prayed with some of the Companions in congregation during the night prayer. And yet, it is not a sunnah for a person to pray in congregation during the night prayer except occasionally. Do you understand the answer now? Yes.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : Some people gather for a session of dhikr, and at the end they perform a single collective supplication, where one person makes the du'a' and the others say: Ameen. Is this correct?
The Shaykh : This is correct if it is not made a habit. If it is made a habit, it becomes a sunnah, and it is not a sunnah.
The questioner : It is not permissible for them to stand up.
The Shaykh : I say: This is the answer. If this is a habit, such that whenever they sit they conclude with du'a', then it is a bid'ah (religious innovation) that we do not know from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). But if it is occasional, such as when a festival passes by them or there is an occasion for encouragement, and then they call upon Allah (Mighty and Majestic), there is no harm in it. This is because there is a difference between what is regular and what is occasional. The occasional thing may be done by a person sometimes without being blamed for it, just as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes prayed with some of the Companions in congregation during the night prayer. And yet, it is not a sunnah for a person to pray in congregation during the night prayer except occasionally. Do you understand the answer now? Yes.