Refutation of Dancing in Dhikr

Question:

What is the ruling of making dhikr (remembrance of Allah) or sending prayers upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a singing tone, or with drums, or by swaying the heads right and left at the mosque? Is it permissible to send peace and blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) while the imam delivers Friday sermon?

Answer:

First of all, the Muslim scholars including the companions and the righteous Salaf agreed upon the rejection of every bid`ah (innovation) in the religion. They also reject every worship or forms of worship that the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions did not practice.

Imam Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “raising the voice while making takbeer (saying Allahu Akabar) is an innovation, because it is dhikr, and the Sunnah is lowering the voice.”

The Almighty Allah says:

The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. (Az-Zumur 39:23)

The sweetness of dhikr is tasted by one who has made it with complete sincerity and tranquility, so that his heart and skin are softened. The righteous believers make dhikr with dignity, not with frivolousness, pretentiousness, noise, or ostentation. Allah the Exalted has not described them as people whose reasons have departed, who faint, dance, or jump about.

Responding to this question, Dr. Muhammad Salah states that it is not allowed to beat drums, sing, or dance inside the mosque. Regarding outside the mosque, the Qur’an says:

Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” (Ar-Ra`d 13:28)

Dhikr is supposed to inherit the heart with comfort and tranquility not by shaking bodies, jumping around or swaying right and left.

_____________________

Source: Iqra Youtube Channel.