What is the ruling on a group of people gathering in a house for remembrance (dhikr), reading the Qur'an, and performing supererogatory prayers, relying on the generality of the verse: "Those who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth," and the hadith: "Indeed, Allah has angels who roam the earth, seeking out gatherings of remembrance," and the hadith: "And waiting for the prayer after the prayer, that is the Ribat, that is the Ribat"? And does this fall under the category of Bid'ah Iḍāfiyyah (additive innovation)?

The verse: "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth..." is general for every form of remembrance (dhikr), and remembrance is sought after and permissible at all times. Increasing it is desirable in all circumstances and includes the remembrance of a servant individually and with a group. Gathering for dhikr is permissible as long as it does not involve any religiously prohibited elements, and the hadiths encourage gatherings of dhikr. Gathering for dhikr includes scholarly circles, which are the best gatherings of dhikr. The prohibited collective dhikr is that which specifies a manner, time, or number not established by religious law, or repeating in unison. Legal i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) is only in the mosque, and "waiting for prayer after prayer" refers to waiting in the mosque.