On the Method of Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) Among the Sufis
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Q1: Why do the Sufis focus only on the remembrance of Allah and not on the remembrance of the attributes of Allah?
Q2: Why do Muslims not engage in the remembrance of Allah only? And why do they engage in the remembrance of Allah through the word of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and the attributes of Allah?
Q3: The Sufis say: The name of Allah carries a greater value, but Muslims say: Rather, "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah) carries the greatest value.
A: The noble verses and the authentic hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) indicate that the best of speech is the word of tawhid (the oneness of Allah), which is "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah), as in the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Faith has seventy-odd branches, the best of which is the saying 'La ilaha illa Allah' (There is no god but Allah)." And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 2137a Allah has mentioned this word in His great Book in many places, including His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He): [Al-Imran: 18] and His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He) : [Muhammad: 19]. It is prescribed for all Muslims to remember Allah with this phrase: "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah), and added to that are: "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah), "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah), "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest), and "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" (There is no power nor strength except with Allah). All of this is from the good, prescribed speech.
As for the saying of the Sufis: "Allah, Allah" or "Hu, Hu" (He, He), this is a bid'ah (religious innovation), and it is not permissible to adhere to it; because it was not transmitted from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), nor from his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) . So it became a bid'ah (religious innovation); due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 1718b and his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih Muslim 1718a agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
And the meaning of his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) "so it is rejected" means that it is rejected, and it is not permissible to act upon it nor is it accepted. So it is not permissible for the people of Islam to worship with something that Allah has not prescribed; due to the mentioned hadiths and what came in their meaning; due to the saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), rebuking the polytheists: [Al-Shura: 21]. May Allah guide everyone to what He is pleased with. And peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Q2: Why do Muslims not engage in the remembrance of Allah only? And why do they engage in the remembrance of Allah through the word of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and the attributes of Allah?
Q3: The Sufis say: The name of Allah carries a greater value, but Muslims say: Rather, "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah) carries the greatest value.
A: The noble verses and the authentic hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) indicate that the best of speech is the word of tawhid (the oneness of Allah), which is "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah), as in the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Faith has seventy-odd branches, the best of which is the saying 'La ilaha illa Allah' (There is no god but Allah)." And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The dearest phrases to Allah are four: Subhan Allah (Hallowed be Allah), Al-Hamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), La ilaha illa-Allah (There is no deity but Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater).
أحب الكلام إلى الله أربع: سبحان الله، والحمد لله، ولا إله إلا الله، والله أكبرAllah testifies that there is no god but He
شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا هُوَSo know, [O Muhammad], that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin
فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَAs for the saying of the Sufis: "Allah, Allah" or "Hu, Hu" (He, He), this is a bid'ah (religious innovation), and it is not permissible to adhere to it; because it was not transmitted from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), nor from his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) . So it became a bid'ah (religious innovation); due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
He who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected.
من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.
من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو ردAnd the meaning of his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) "so it is rejected" means that it is rejected, and it is not permissible to act upon it nor is it accepted. So it is not permissible for the people of Islam to worship with something that Allah has not prescribed; due to the mentioned hadiths and what came in their meaning; due to the saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), rebuking the polytheists:
Or have they other deities who have ordained for them a religion to which Allah has not consented?
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَنْ بِهِ اللَّهُ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.