Loud Zikr

1. It should be understood that Zikr is indeed a very meritorious act. For every act there are regulations. If it is carried out according to its regulations, the desired benefit will be gained, otherwise not.

A Hadeeth of Abu Huraira Radiallahu Anhu proves the permissibility of loud Zikr loud:

Translation: Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that he heard Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم saying that Allâh Ta’ala says I treat my slave according to his expectations from me and I am with him when he remembers me. If he remembers me by himself I remember him by myself and if he remembers me in a gathering I remember him in a nobler gathering and if he comes to me a hand span I go to him a cubits length. And if he comes to me walking I go to him running. This Hadeeth proves that Zikr can be made loudly. 

The Kitaab سباحة الفكر في الجهر بالذكر written by Hazrat Moulana Abdul Hay Saheb Rahmatullahi Alaihi in which there are approximately 50 Ahadith which prove that Zhikr Jahri (Zhikr in an audible tone) is permissible.

“Loud Zikr” is permissible with the following conditions:

a) It must not be done to show-off (Riya).
b) It must not disturb a person sleeping, performing Salaah or reciting Qur’aan.
c) It must not be too loud. Making Zikr very loudly is against the etiquette of Zikr. The Qur’aan also mentions it:

Trans: “(Make Zikr) not in a very loud voice.” (Surah Aa’raaf verse no.205)

d) Zikr must not be done together in one voice (i.e. in a form of a chorus). Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi Rahmatullahi alaih said that Zikr should be made individually (even when sitting in a Zikr-majlis), and making Zikr in a form of a chorus should be abstained from.

If the above-mentioned conditions are fulfilled then we do not see any reason for denying the permissibility of loud Zikr. Nevertheless, this issue should not be a cause of Fitnah/mischief and disunity amongst the Ummah. Those who are inclined towards making Zikr loudly or are instructed by their Mashaa’ikh to do so, they should do so together with fulfilling all the above-mentioned conditions and they should not allow their activities to disturb or irritate others.

On the other hand, those who do not do loud Zikr should also not interfere with those who are doing so. Instead, there should be Muhabbat/love and a mutual understanding between them. If any group of people is making Zikr loudly (with fulfilling all the above-mentioned conditions) then others should not prevent them from doing so. Neither should they (i.e. those making Zikr) force anyone to join them nor disturb other programmes that have been carried out in the Masjid from before, such as the Taa’liem, Ghusht programmes, etc.

If we will unite, accommodate each other, make our own Islaah and make an effort upon the entire humanity together then Insha’allah Islam will dominate and the forces of Baatil will be crushed. But if we are disunited then we do not stand a chance! May Allah Ta’aala give us the true understanding of Deen. Aameen.

2. Hadrat Moulana Thanwi Rahimahullah has also given the recommendation of Zikr Jahri with a few conditions, that the person performing the Zikr does not awake a sleeping person nor does he inconvenience the people reciting the Quran. He should make sure his loudness is not excessive.