Some circles of remembrance include jumping, dancing, saying "Allah Haie", and piercing body with knives. Is this permissible?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions.
Circles of remembrance are gardens of paradise in which we are commanded to take part to be showered with Allah`s mercy and tranquility.
However, remembrance with a humble heart is far greater and more rewarding than remembrance with just the tongue since in the former a person is showered with peace and tranquility, as was the case with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he remembered His Lord. Allah says {What means}: "And do thou (O reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul, with humility and in reverence, without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful." {Al-A`raf, 205}.
Consequently, some circles of remembrance, which involve shouting and piercing body with knives is unlawful and disliked by many the scholars; as stated Ibn Hajar in {Tohfat Al-Mohtaj, V.10:222}. This is particularly since these awkward acts have distorted the beautiful image of the god-fearing and righteous Sufis who adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and the views of the scholars. And Allah the Almighty knows best.