Answered by: Alimah Habiba Akhtar
Question:
In our Masjid, most of the people are Arab and they say the takbeer from home till the Salah starts, so even when they sit in the Masjid whilst waiting for salah they still say it all loudly. Now the question is if the Imam wanted to a bayaan before the Salah explaining the story of Ibrahim a.s. etc. should he give the bayan or rather don’t disturb the People in their Takbeeraat ?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The following discussion involves two elements highlighted in your query that will be discussed:
- Dhikr and the remembrance of Allah
- Dars and Bayans
In order to understand the verdict of this discussion, it is essential to highlight the importance and differences between the two.
Firstly, the recitation of Takbir (the act of glorifying and praising our lord) is a form of Dhikr.
Dhikr means to remember Allah SWT and this act is pleasing and rewarding for a servant as it’s reward is understood in the following hadith:
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Allah the Exalted says: ‘I am as my slave expects me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me inwardly, I will remember him inwardly, and if he remembers Me in an assembly, I will remember him in a better assembly (i.e., in the assembly of angels).” (1)
Thus, we can establish the virtue and purpose of engaging in Dhikr.
Dhikr serves the purpose of increasing taqwa as it engages the memory and reminds one of Allah SWT’s presence. More so, it is widely encouraged to engage in Dhikr whenever capable.
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Frequently remember the destroyer of pleasures,’ meaning death.” (2)
Thus, we can understand the role of Dhikr and its virtue within the life of a believer.
On the other hand, Bayans and speeches are a form of knowledge and teaching.
Knowledge is the basis of the Deen as one is more God-fearing with more understanding. In fact, knowledge is that sacred thing that is bestowed upon one whom Allah favours.
It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim, and he who imparts knowledge to those who do not deserve it is like one who puts a necklace of jewels, pearls and gold around the neck of swine.” (3)
The hadith above describes the seeking of knowledge a duty upon every Muslim as one can only practice and follow the religion correctly by enquiring and be learned with the religion. Thus, it is vital for every Muslim to be striving of knowledge.
As such, we see that both Dhikr and Dars are equally vital for a Muslim.
Knowledge is a benefit that expands to every believer and its level of achievement is different depending on the believer, therefore, it is considered the duty of an Imam to impart knowledge upon the community.
It is the duty of scholars and the learned to impart knowledge otherwise they will be held accountable.
Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever is asked about some knowledge that he knows, then he conceals it, he will be bridled with a bridle of fire.” (4)
Therefore, in the situation, you refer to, though both are extremely virtuous and rewarding, the opportunity of an Imam imparting knowledge and benefiting the community is a priority as Dhikr can be done in isolation too. Thus, the imam taking opportunities to address the community is right though the address should be used to refer to important and relevant matters.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Alimah Habiba Akhtar
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
(1)
وعن أبي ھریرة، رضي ﷲ عنھ، أن رسول ﷲ صلى ﷲ علیھ وسلم، قال :”یقول ﷲ تعالى : أنا عند ظن عبدي بي،
وأنامعھإذاذكرني،فإنذكرنيفينفسھ،ذكرتھفينفسي وإنذكرنيفيملإٍذكرتھفيملإٍخیرمنھم “
Riyad as-Salihin 1435
(2)
عَنْأبِيھُرَیْرَةَ،قَالَقَالَرَسُولَُّ ﷲِ ـصلىﷲعلیھوسلمـ : ” أكْثِرُواذِكْرَ ھَاذِمِاللَّ َّ ذاتِ “. یَعْنِيالْمَوْتَ .
Sunan Ibn Majah 4258
(3)
عَنْأنََسِبْنِمَالكٍِ،قَالَقَالَرَسُولَُّ ﷲِـصلىﷲعلیھوسلمـ ” طَلَبُالْعِلْمِفَرِیضَةٌعَلَىكُ ِّ لمُسْلمٍِوَوَاضِعُالْعِلْمِعِنْدَغَیْرِأھَْلھِِكَمُقَلِّ دِالْخَنَازِیرِالْجَوْھَرَ وَاللُّ ؤْلؤَُوَال َّ ذھَبَ “
Sunan Ibn Majah 224
(4) Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2649
حَ َّ دثَنَا أحَْمَدُ بْنُ بُدَیْلِ بْنِ قرَُیْشٍ الْیَامِ ُّ ي الْكُوفِ ُّ ي، حَ َّ دثَنَا عَبْدُ َّ ﷲِ بْنُ نُمَیْرٍ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ زَاذَانَ، عَنْ عَل ِّ يِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ، عَنْعَطَاءٍ، عَنْ أبَِي ھُرَیْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولَُّ ﷲِ صلى ﷲ علیھ وسلم ” مَنْ سُئِلَ عَنْ عِلْمٍ عَلمَِھُ ثَُّ م كَتَمَھُ ألُْجِمَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ بِلجَِامٍمِنْ نَارٍ “