QUESTION:
Is it permissible to start a Zikr/Khatam group with the parents who have children in matric, with the Niyyah that they do well Insha Allah. Will it be regarded as a Bid’ah? please advise what could be read to assist them?
ANSWER:
Starting a Zikr or Khatm group so that children pass their examinations is an innovation. There is no basis whatsoever for such a practice in Deen. All innovations are rejected by Allah Ta’ala as understood from the following Hadith and texts of the scholars.
مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ
Whoever innovates something in our matter (of Deen) which is not from it will be rejected.
وَكُلُّ مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي الدِّينِ مَا لَا يَرْضَاهُ اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يَأْذَنْ بِهِ فَهُوَ مِنَ الْمَطْرُودِينَ عَنِ الْحَوْضِ وَالْمُبْعَدِينَ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ (الاستذكار)
Every person that innovates in Deen (such things) which Allah Ta’ala is displeased with and did not permit, then he will be from amongst those that will be turned away from the Howdh (pond of Kauthar) and distanced.
وقال الإمام الحافظ أبو عمرو بن عبد البر كل من أحدث في الدين فهو من المطرودين عن الحوض كالخوارج والروافض وسائر أصحاب الأهواء (شرح النووي علي مسلم)
Imaam Haafiz Abu Amr Bin Abdul Barr states, ‘Every person that innovates something in Deen will be turned away from the Howdh (pond of Kauthar) such as the Khwaarij, Rawaafidh and all those that followed their whims and desires.
ل محدث قولا وفعلا لم يتقدم فيه متقدم فان العرب تسميه بدعة (تفسير ابن كثير ص222 ج1)
Every innovated word or action which no previous (person) advanced towards is referred to as Bid’ah according to the Arabs.
Yes, there is no harm in making Dua for the success of Dunya and Aakhirah of one’s children. The Dua of the parents in favour of their children will most certainly be granted Insha’Allah.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 14 Rajab 1445 / 26 January 2024
