Is collective dhikr (remembrance of God) aloud, saying: "Hasbi Allah (God suffices me)," "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no might or power except with God)," and "La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but God)" one hundred times each, then repeating the Mighty and Exalted Name of God while interlocking hands and moving the head, permissible? And did the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, do it with Abu Bakr, Umar, and Ali, may God be pleased with them?

Seeking forgiveness, sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), remembrance (dhikr), and supplication (du'a) are among the greatest acts of closeness to Allah. However, worship and its manner are based on cessation [from innovation] and adherence to the legislation of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Every act of worship that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) left, despite the presence of its necessitating factor and the absence of any impediment to it, his leaving it is a praiseworthy Sunnah, and performing it is a blameworthy innovation (bid'ah). Imam Al-Shatibi defined innovation as an invented way in religion that mimics what is legislated, and this includes adhering to specific manners and specific acts of worship at specific times that are not found in the Sharia. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) warned against innovations, saying: "Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it is rejected," and "Every innovation is misguidance." Therefore, gatherings that involve moving heads, clasping hands, and collectively chanting dhikr were not performed by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) or his companions. They are an innovation that must be avoided, while increasing in the remembrance of Allah Almighty in every state.