Q 2: Some Sufis say that the permission granted by one of their sheikhs to his disciple is done by saying: "O Follower, I permit you to recite in His remembrance 'La Ilaha Illa Allah' (There is no deity except Allah) 140 times reported through chains of transmission to the Prophet (peace be upon him), then to Jibril (Gabriel) and then to Allah (Exalted be He)". Is this saying valid or not? Is this permission authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) or is it an act of Bid`ah (innovation in religion)?

A 2: Remembrance of Allah (Praised be He) is to recite His Book and authentic remembrance formulas reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him); whether by Tasbih (Saying Subhan Allah [Glory is due to Allah]), Tahmid (saying Al-Hamdullilah [Praise is due to Allah]), Takbir (Saying Allah Akbar [Allah is Most Great]) or Tahlil (Saying La Ilaha Illa Allah [There is no deity except Allah]), as has been ordained by Allah and recommended by His Messenger (peace be upon him). Therefore, whoever claims among Sufi sheikhs or their followers that any of Allah's Names has a servant, or that the prescribed Remembrance of Allah is forbidden unless formerly permitted by the sheikh, will be ascribing a lie to Allah, His Messenger and Islam. This is because there is no proof in Allah's Book or the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicating any of this. Thus, such Sufi claims are acts of Bid`ah (rejected innovations in religion). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever introduces something into this affairs of ours it is to be rejected. Allah is the One sought for help.