Ruling and Guidance on Loud Collective Dhikr After Prayer
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
In some countries, it is a common practice to recite Sūrat al-Fātiḥah, Āyat al-Kursī, and other adhkār collectively and aloud after obligatory prayers. What is the Shar‘i ruling on this?
Ruling on Collective Dhikr
- Reciting Sūrat al-Fātiḥah, Āyat al-Kursī, or other adhkār collectively in a loud voice after prayer is a bid‘ah (innovation).
- This is because it has no basis in the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or his Companions رضي الله عنهم.
- Although it is authentically reported that they would perform dhikr aloud after prayer, each individual would do so individually, not in a coordinated group manner.
Loud Individual Dhikr is Sunnah
- Performing dhikr aloud individually after prayer is Sunnah, as in the narration of Ibn ‘Abbās رضي الله عنهما:
«كان رفع الصوت بالذكر حين ينصرف الناس من المكتوبة على عهد النبي ﷺ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Adhān, Bāb al-Dhikr Ba‘d al-Ṣalāh, ḥadīth 841)
Translation:
“In the time of the Prophet ﷺ, raising the voice with dhikr after the obligatory prayer was practiced when the people finished the prayer.”
No Evidence for Reciting Sūrat al-Fātiḥah After Prayer
- There is no authentic ḥadīth from the Prophet ﷺ proving that Sūrat al-Fātiḥah should be recited after prayer.
- The adhkār proven from aḥādīth after prayer include:
- Āyat al-Kursī
- Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ
- Sūrat al-Falaq and Sūrat al-Nās (al-Mu‘awwidhatayn)
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
