Monday 4 October 2010

Sheikh Wahba Az-Zuhayli on the Hadra

Question: Is the dhikr called hadra permissible with the words ‘ah’ or ‘aah’?

Answer: Indeed dividing up the Lafdh al-Jalaala [i.e. ‘Allah’] and distorting it or changing it is forbidden in the Shari’ah (muharram shar’an), because it consists of altering, changing and distortion (ilhad) with regards to Allah’s Most Beautiful Names. It is not considered an expression of correct worship, or legislated dhikr, because of His, the Exalted, statement: “To Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call on Him by them and abandon those who distort (yulhidun) His names. They will be repaid for what they were doing.” [Al-A’raaf 7:180] True dhikr is rather done by mentioning Allah’s Most Beautiful Names and His Exalted Attributes, Mighty and Majestic is He, having humility (khushu’) when articulating them and adhering to etiquette and perseverance when mentioning them. This is because He, The Exalted, has said: “The believers are those who hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, whose faith is increased when His ayaat are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord.” [Al-Anfaal 8:2] He, The Glorified, has also said: “…those who believe and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of Allah. Only in the remembrance of Allah can the heart find peace.” [Ar-Ra’d 13:28]

[Translated from Fataawa Mu’asira by Sheikh Wahba Az-Zuhayli p.307, Dar Al-Fikr, Damascus, 2003]

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is meant by the words 'ah' or 'aah'? What about the so-called hadra that does not contain such words. I refer to the hadra of group 'al-murabitun' led by Abdul Qadir as-sufi who seem to repeat the word 'Hayy' i.e. Allah's name Al-Hayy.
May Allah reward you well.

Mahdi Lock said...

Assalaam alaykum,

Jazakum Allah khayran for your comment.

What is meant by 'ah' and 'aah' is unintelligible sounds that have no meaning.

For further details, please have a look at the post 'Sheikh Ramadan Al-Bouti on Dancing in Dhikr' as well as 'A Beautiful Interview with Sheikh Ramadan Al-Bouti', which has two parts.

Sheikh Ramadan was also asked:

'What is the ruling for the hadra that some brothers do?'

He replied:

'If the term 'hadra' means standing while doing dhikr of Allah, and those doing the dhikr are restricting their movements in accordance with the etiquette (Ar. adab) that is appropriate for the dhikr of Allah, and the name of Allah is given its full right and is pronounced properly, then it is permissible and does not go outside the meaning of "those who remember Allah standing and sitting" [Al-Imrān 3:191] On the other hand, if those doing the dhikr are not adhering to the necessary etiquette then it is not permissible.'

[Translated from Ma’a An-Nās: Mashūrāt wa Fatāwa, by Sheikh Muḥammad Saʿīd Ramaḍān Al-Būṭī, p.218, Dar Al-Fikr, Damascus, 2003]

And Allah knows best.

Assalaam alaykum,

Mahdi