There are a lot of errors people make when doing dhikr. Some do introduce some innovations into the manners and the content of dhikr. Some of these errors and innovations are sometimes grave. i.e. shirk is involved; while some of such errors and innovations are regarded as exaggeration or transgression. Allaah warns against exaggeration and transgression: "Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope; Surely, Allaah's Mercy is (ever) near unto the good doers." (Q7[Araaf]:55)
Some of the errors and innovations people make in dhikr are enumerated below: Turning the dhikr into a Song We have not been asked to recite or say dhikr melodiously accompanied by musical instrument. It is the Quraan alone we have been asked to recite melodiously. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said. "He is not one of us he who does not read the Quraan with a melodious voice."(Abu Dawud)
It was never reported that the Messenger of Allaah did dhikr in a melodious voice. Raising the voice in dhikr Allaah says: "And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful." (Q7[Araaf]:205)
Calling on other than Allaah
Dhikr should not contain innovated supplications and supplications in which names other than that of Allaah are called upon. Some do call on personalities considered to be saints. They believe that they can intercede on their behalf before Allaah thereby making their requests granted. This is a grave error. For example. some may say: Yaa Shaykh AbdulQaadir! Yaa Shaykh Ahmad Tijaanee! Yaa Rawkayaa`! This is nothing but shirk.
Chanting the Name(s) of Allaah Repeatedly in a Given Number Some people do dhikr by chanting Allaah's Names repeatedly. For example, some people would say YaaAllaah. YaaAllaah. Yaa Allaah... (I11 or 313 or 450 or 1.111 or more) This could be done with any other Name of Allaah.
In addition specific number of days for the supplication is sometimes given. This format of calling on Allaah and doing tawwasul with His Names is not found in the Sunnah. Nobody has the right to determine the format. Specific number or days for dhikr. This is determined by Allaah and His Rasool (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). There is no authentic proof from the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to support the above concocted format of dhikr. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would call on Allaah by any of His Names and would follow it with his request. For example: Anas (RA) said that when the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was faced with a serious difficulty. He would always supplicate. Yaa Hayyu. yaa Qayyumu. bi-rahmatika astagheeth (O the Living, 0 the Eternal. I seek help in Your grace)." (Tirmidhee)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited