FatwaPenangEthics, Remembrance & Supplication
KEGIATAN ZIKIR - AMALAN BEBERAPA ORANG ANAK KARIAH KAMPONG PERLIS, BUTTERWORTH
What is the ruling on a zikir practice involving a 13-fold Fatihah dedication and phrases such as 'Ah', 'Hu' and 'Ya Hu'?
Short answer
The Penang Syariah Committee ruled that the zikir of dedicating the Fatihah thirteen times is doubtful, as such dedications are usually made to show admiration or respect for another person.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Penang State Mufti Department
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Keputusan Fatwa Negeri Pulau Pinang (e-Fatwa)
- Topic
- Ethics, Remembrance & Supplication
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The Penang Syariah Committee ruled that the zikir of dedicating the Fatihah thirteen times is doubtful, as such dedications are usually made to show admiration or respect for another person. A Fatihah dedicated to oneself has no warid from any reliable Sufi text, so it is judged a misguided innovation (bidaah). Phrases such as 'Ah', 'Hu' and 'Ya Hu' are also doubtful because they are not tahlil, while the best zikir is 'La ilaha illallah', which carries reward when recited continuously.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
OLEH KERANA HADIAH FATIHAH ITU KEPADA DIRI SENDIRI TIDAK ADA WARAD DARI MANA-MANA KITAB TASUF YANG MUKTABAR, MAKA ITU ADALAH SATU BIDAAH YANG SESAT.
Read the full fatwa on the Penang website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Penang State Mufti Department. “KEGIATAN ZIKIR - AMALAN BEBERAPA ORANG ANAK KARIAH KAMPONG PERLIS, BUTTERWORTH”, 21 March 1994. http://efatwa.penang.gov.my/fatwa_details.php?fatwaid=1238. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-zikir-fatihah-dedication-hu-phrases/