Observing specific forms of Thikr at the same time every day
Fatwa No: 127826

Question

Asalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatuallah Wa Barakatahu Allah Ta’ala has opened my eyes to the concept of bid’ah and it’s widespread among the Muslims. I have come to know that making ibada at the same time every day may be termed bid’ah if the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) did not do it Himself. In the morning (before or after Fagr) and in the evening (before Magrib and after Isha) I like to say Subhanallah 100x, Alhumdulillah 100x, Lailahailallah 100x, Allahu Akbar 100x, Lahawla wala quwata ilabillah 100x, Astargfirullah 100x, Subanallahil Azim 100x, Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdi 100x, Subhanallahil Azim Wa Bihamdi 100x, and send Salawat on the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) 100x. Each of these Dhikr have Ahadith stating their superiority and the rewards for making that dhikr such as having a tree planted in Jannah or acquiring a treasure of Jannah. By saying these dhikr at the same time very day a form of Bid’ah? Jazakallahu Khair

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

Remembering Allaah The Almighty is one of the best acts of worship that deserves the best reward. Allaah The Almighty Ordered Muslims to remember Him much. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, remember Allaah with much remembrance. And exalt Him morning and afternoon.}[Quran 33:41-42]

Observing obedience to Allaah The Almighty regularly by saying Thikr or doing any act of worship is required by the Sharee‘ah. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "The best deeds dedicated to Allaah are the ones done regularly even if they are small." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

However, observing Thikr regularly in specific times is not generally considered a religious innovation; religious innovation takes place when a Muslim observes a specific act of worship in a specific manner at a specific time while believing that it is superior to do it in that specific time without Sharee‘ah evidence to indicate that. For further information, see Fatwa 17613.

Hence, the Thikr that you are doing is one of the best acts of worship and it is totally far from religious innovation.

Allaah Knows best.

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