✍🏻 Answer:
The common and traditional way of a gathering of dhikr is that a few Muslims gather in one place and remember Allah the Almighty with proper etiquette. In the blessed hadiths, circles of dhikr are likened to "the gardens of Paradise," and among the Sufi masters the Halqa-e-Zikr holds fundamental importance for the legal and spiritual reform of disciples.
The complete method of holding and participating in a Halqa-e-Zikr is based on the following principles:
🌿 Beginning the Halqa-e-Zikr
• Recitation of the Qur'an: Begin the gathering with the recitation of a few verses of the Holy Qur'an.
• Praise and Na't: After the recitation, offer salutations (durood and salam) and na't to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
• Istighfar: Before starting the remembrance of Allah, all participants should together make sincere repentance and seek forgiveness, so that the heart is cleansed of the rust of sins.
Dhikr may be done alone (individually) and may also be done collectively.
1️⃣ Individual Dhikr
When a person sits alone and keeps up the wazaif and adhkar given to him under the permission and supervision of his murshid (for example, SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah and Astaghfirullah), it is called individual dhikr, provided it does not go against the Shariah.
"If someone is attached to a Sufi order, he may also do dhikr and adhkar according to the instructions of his shaykh or murshid, while the masnun (Prophetic) adhkar can be done by every Muslim without any special permission."
2️⃣ Collective Dhikr
When a few Muslims gather in one place and remember Allah the Almighty or recite the masnun tasbihat, it is called collective dhikr. However, for order and organization in collective dhikr, the presence of a responsible person or teacher is helpful. For example, a murshid may hold a Halqa-e-Zikr with his disciples, the Imam of a mosque with his congregation, or the head of a household with his family.
📖 The Qur'an and the blessed hadiths mention great virtue for dhikr and for circles of dhikr:
The Holy Qur'an says:
«أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ»
Translation:
Beware! It is only in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find peace.
(Surah Ar-Ra'd, Verse: 28)
It is mentioned in a hadith:
It is narrated from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "When you pass by the gardens of Paradise, graze in them well." The Companions asked: O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! What are the gardens of Paradise? He ﷺ said: "The circles of dhikr."
(Sunan at-Tirmidhi)
🕌 The Correct and Practical Method of Dhikr
In some Sufi orders, the following is the established and effective way of sitting in a Halqa-e-Zikr and performing Dhikr-e-Jali (loud dhikr): (However, it should not be regarded as the obligatory or universally agreed method of dhikr.)
• Posture and direction: Those performing dhikr should be fully in wudu, sit respectfully on both knees (as one sits in prayer), and use perfume or fragrance. Keep the eyes closed.
• Order of the voice: Begin with a soft, low voice, reciting "لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ," then gradually raise the voice until the heart begins to feel it. During dhikr, strictly avoid any worldly talk or conversation.
The method of the "zarb" (striking the heart):
1. When saying "لَا," the head should be bowed down toward the navel.
2. Then, while saying "إِلَٰهَ," turn the face toward the right shoulder.
3. And while saying "إِلَّا اللَّهُ," bring the face forcefully toward the heart (this is what is called striking the heart).
Method of breathing: Begin with "لَا" as you inhale, and finish your breath on "اللَّهُ."
✨ Inner and Spiritual Benefits of the Halqa-e-Zikr
In light of the blessed hadiths, there are countless spiritual benefits:
• Protection from Satan: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that Satan keeps whispering to a person's heart, but as soon as the person remembers Allah, Satan flees. (Sahih Bukhari)
• Allah's closeness: Whoever remembers Allah in solitude, Allah remembers him in solitude, and whoever remembers Him in a gathering, Allah remembers him in a noble assembly of angels. (Sahih Bukhari)
• Success on the Day of Judgment: Some narrations mention that on the Day of Judgment, Allah the Almighty will grant special honor to some of His servants; their faces will shine with light and people will envy them. Among these fortunate people will be those who remembered Allah in this world and loved one another for His pleasure. (Tabarani)
⚠️ Important Clarification:
The method of the Halqa-e-Zikr has been explained here in a very brief and basic manner. Since the wazaif of different orders differ, in order to adopt the Halqa-e-Zikr fully, it is necessary that everyone obtains the specific wazaif of his own order from his perfect spiritual guide (murshid) and practices them under his complete supervision. The limits and etiquette of the Shariah must be fully observed in the Halqa-e-Zikr; mixing of men and women should be avoided, as should acts against the Shariah, such as dancing and the prevalent "dhamal," and also showing off (riya). Whether dhikr is individual or collective, its basis should be sincerity, following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and seeking Allah's pleasure, not displaying oneself to people or showing one's own sanctity.
واللہ تعالیٰ اعلم بالصواب
محمد عظمت الله نظامي عفی عنہ
