reading time ~6 mins

1. Gatherings of Quran / Dhikr
2. Purpose of Quran
3. Types of Gatherings
4. Gatherings in Sunnah
5. Summary
6. Additional Reading
   1. Bid’a (Innovation)
      1. Innovation in Sunnah
   2. Links

Gatherings of Quran / Dhikr

A gathering of Quran/Dhikr is when muslims come together in a group to recite Quran and remember Allah in order to teach and learn about the deen (religion/way of life). There are authentic evidences found in the Sunnah to show that this was done by the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) and early generations of muslims

However, in some cultures there are gatherings for recitation of Quran or doing group Dhikr done at certain occasions (e.g. at the death of person, or before starting a new business, marriage, etc. ) which are performed as an act of worship but have no evidence in our sources (Quran / Sunnah). Sometimes they have other names such as: Quran Khwani (Urdu), Khatam e Quran, etc.

First it is important to understand why the Quran was revealed

Purpose of Quran

Allah says in the Quran

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad (ﷺ)], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded (Quran 38:29)

The purpose of the Quran is to reflect upon its verses and use it as a reminder because we as humans forget. This is not just a philosophical reflection, rather it is in order to take heed and be affected by what has been revealed, such that you take action and change your life. And teach others. Quran is a guidance for humanity

Do not follow things without Knowledge

Allah says in the Quran

And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned (Quran 17:36)

There is no value in doing things without knowledge, just because we see others doing them or because they are taught to us by the previous generations. E.g. if everyone around is doing a gathering of quran recitation (quran khwani) we should not follow it without knowledge and consider it part of Islam by default

Types of Gatherings

The gatherings can be generally summarized into three main types. Only the first one can be found in the sunnah

1. Teaching & Learning – These are permissible and have precedent in the sunnah. This is when muslims get together to teach, discuss and learn about the deen (religion)
2. Group Quran Recitation – These should NOT be done and have no precedent in our sources. An example is distributing 30 Juz of the Quran to 30 people to recite one by one or in parallel
3. Group Dhikr (Rememberance) – These should NOT be done either and also have no precedent in our sources. An example is that a group of muslims gather and raise their voices and recite adhkaar (remembrances such as Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah) in unison for a certain number of times

We have no evidence that the Prophet (ﷺ), his family, his companions, or even the few generations after him ever performed group recitation or dhikr as described above at any occasion such as death, birth, wedding, celebration, dua acceptance, opening of a business, etc. 
If this act is done as a form of worship, then this is a Bid’a (innovation)

Gatherings in Sunnah

1. Abu Hurairah reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying: No people get together in a house of the houses of Allah (i.e. a mosque), reciting the Book of Allah, and learning it together among themselves, but calmness (sakinah) comes down to them, (Divine) mercy covers them (from above), and the angels surround them, and Allah makes a mention of them among those who are with Him (muslim 2699a) (abi dawud 1455) (ibn majah 225) (tirmidhi 2945) (riyad as salihin 1023)
2. Angels look for gatherings where Allah’s remembrance is being done, where believers praise Allah, supplicate for Jannah, and seek refuge from Hellfire. Allah tells the angels that He has forgiven them. Such gatherings for the sake of Allah are a form of worship (see references of some hadith) (muslim 2689) (muslim 2700a) (muslim 2701)
3. Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When you pass by the meadows of Paradise, graze as you like.” They said, “What are the meadows of Paradise?” The Prophet said, “Circles of remembrance.” (tirmidhi 3510 grade: hasan (fair) according to Al-Suyuti)

Summary

1. Teaching & Learning gathering to recite and study the Quran, whereby one person recites and the others listen, and they study it together and explain the meanings, is something that is prescribed in Islam and is an act of worship that Allah loves and for which He rewards greatly.
2. Not Recommended – activities below are not found in our sources (Quran and Sunnah) and should be avoided.
   • Recitation divided: any gathering where groups are only reciting Quran by dividing amongst each other without meaning or learning shoud be avoided
   • Group Dhikr: gathering where group repeats loudly in unison (e.g saying Allah u Akbar) should also be avoided
     1. If these are done as a form of worship, then this is a Bid’a (innovation)

Additional Reading

Bid’a (Innovation)

Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “According to sharee’ah, the definition of Innovation is ‘Worshipping Allah in ways that Allah has not prescribed.’ If you wish you may say, ‘Worshipping Allah in ways that are not those of the Prophet (ﷺ) or his al-khulafaa’ al-raashidoon (rightly guided successors)

Innovation in Sunnah

1. Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Whoever innovates into this matter of ours that which does not belong to it, it will be rejected.” (bukhari 2697)
2. In another narration, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever performs a deed that is not in accordance with our matter, it will be rejected.” (muslim 1718)
3. In his Khutbah the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to praise Allah as He deserves to be praised, then he would say: ‘Whomsoever Allah (SWT) guides, none can lead him astray, and whomsoever Allah sends astray, none can guide. The truest of word is the Book of Allah and best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The worst of things are those that are newly invented; every newly-invented thing is an innovation and every innovation is going astray, and every going astray is in the Fire. (an-nasa’i 1578)

Links

1. Reflect on the Quran (Why is Quran revealed)
2. Ruling on Gathering to make dua or recite Quran (An article from IslamQA)
3. Ruling on Group Loud Group Dhikr (An article for IslamQA)
4. Definition and Description of Innovation (Bid’a) (An article from IslamQA)