What is the ruling on collective dhikr circles that are scheduled for a specific time, and is this considered an innovation (bid‘ah)? What is the ruling on innovation in Islam? Is it forbidden (haram)? And is it true that "every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire"? If those who perform this dhikr are non-Arabs, is their action considered a good means of remembering Allah? Is the one who does this sinful or rewarded? And what is the ruling of the four madhhabs, especially the Hanafi school, regarding this matter?

Chanting dhikr collectively in one voice in a customary manner is an additional, innovated bid‘ah (religious innovation). All legal bid‘ah in acts of worship are blameworthy, even if they vary in their blameworthiness, just as those who commit them vary in their excuse, depending on the knowledge that reached them and their understanding of the proof, and according to the type and rank of the bid‘ah.

Earning reward is never based on the bid‘ah itself. However, it may be based on the love and veneration that filled the heart of its practitioner, or on the goodness of their intention, as Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "What some people innovate, either in imitation of the Christians regarding the birth of Jesus (peace be upon him), or out of love and veneration for the Prophet (peace be upon him), Allah may reward them for this love and effort, but not for the bid‘ah of taking the Prophet's birthday as an Eid."

And Allah forgives the mistaken mujtahid (independent legalreasoner) for their error and rewards them for their good intention and the acts of obedience they perform. As for the bid‘ah that the Shari'ah has prohibited, which involve exaggeration, shirk (polytheism), and excessive praise, no reward is obtained by those who practice them.