Best and Worst Gatherings in Islam: Quran and Hadith Guidance
“The Righteous Answers to Wise Questions” – (Part 14)
By: Allamah Zaid bin Muhammad bin Hadi al-Madkhali (May Allah have mercy on him)
Question 18: What are the best gatherings and what are the worst?
Answer: The best and most virtuous gatherings are numerous and varied in nature. I will mention a few of them below:
(1) Sitting and Staying in Mosques:
Undoubtedly, mosques are the most virtuous and purest places on the face of the earth. They are the houses of Allah which He has ordered to be raised and in which His name is to be mentioned. Furthermore, Allah Almighty has made us obligated to perform Friday and congregational prayers in them, except for a valid legal excuse such as illness, rain, or other similar reasons considered valid in Islamic Sharia. This obligation is clear evidence that mosques are the best places on earth, and sitting in them for the remembrance of Allah, worship, and obedience is among the best of gatherings. Their excellence is further supported by the fact that Allah Almighty has praised those who populate them and described them with attributes such as fear of Allah, guidance, and faith. Allah Almighty says:
{اِنَّمَا يَعۡمُرُ مَسٰجِدَ اللّٰهِ مَنۡ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالۡيَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَاَقَامَ الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتَى الزَّكٰوةَ وَلَمۡ يَخۡشَ اِلَّا اللّٰهَ فَعَسٰٓى اُولٰۤئِكَ اَنۡ يَّكُوۡنُوۡا مِنَ الۡمُهۡتَدِيۡنَ} – [At-Tawbah: 18]
Translation: "The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and establish prayer and give zakah and do not fear except Allah, for it is expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided."
And it is reported in a Sahih Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ:
“وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلَّا نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ، وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ”.
“No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that Sakinah (tranquility) descends upon them, mercy envelops them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him.” [Sahih Muslim: 2699]
I (the author) say: This is sufficient honor and virtue for those who populate mosques with the remembrance of Allah, His obedience, and the recitation and contemplation of His Book. This is the same Book that its Sender described with beauty, excellence, and perfection, as Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala said:
{اَللّٰهُ نَزَّلَ اَحۡسَنَ الۡحَدِيۡثِ كِتٰبًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِىَ ۖ تَقۡشَعِرُّ مِنۡهُ جُلُوۡدُ الَّذِيۡنَ يَخۡشَوۡنَ رَبَّهُمۡۚ ثُمَّ تَلِيۡنُ جُلُوۡدُهُمۡ وَقُلُوۡبُهُمۡ اِلٰى ذِكۡرِ اللّٰهِ ؕ} – [Az-Zumar: 23]
Translation: "Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah."
Surely, this virtue and great favor are sufficient for them, because these lofty attributes and characteristics bestowed upon them in the houses of Allah are not attained in other worldly gatherings—gatherings conducted merely for worldly occupations and matters.
O Allah! How heart-alluring and soul-refreshing are the circles of Divine remembrance! How befitting and appropriate it is for Muslims to make sitting in these gatherings a habit, so they may benefit from the breezes of their Lord’s mercy. Undoubtedly, His special mercies descend day and night, and among these breezes of mercy is that Sakinah (tranquility) which descends upon the hearts, illuminating them with the light of faith and cleansing them from the stains of errors and sins until they are transparent like a mirror. When the heart reaches this stage, the light emerging from it permeates all the limbs, and they all begin to walk steadfastly on the right path, submissive to the command of their Lord.
Among these breezes is also that special mercy that descends from the Forgiving and Merciful Being. Mankind is in desperate need of this mercy of Allah, which encompasses everything and covers every living soul—specifically the mercy Allah has written for those who practice Taqwa, pay Zakat, believe in His signs, and follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet ﷺ, who himself believes in Allah and His words.
Another of these virtues is that the noble angels of Allah travel the earth seeking out circles of remembrance. When they find a gathering where Allah is being remembered, they call out to one another: “Come to what you are looking for!” Then they surround the gathering from all sides until they reach the heights of the sky.
Included in these virtues is that Allah Almighty praises those who remember Him in the assembly of angels—the angels who do not disobey any command of Allah and do exactly what they are ordered to do; they glorify Allah day and night and never tire.
Indeed, the Companions of the Messenger ﷺ and those who followed in their footsteps knew the value of these virtues, blessings, and breezes of mercy. Thus, they were very diligent in establishing circles of study and mutual recitation of the Quran in mosques, where they acquired Sharia knowledge regarding their worship, dealings, character, and conduct. Their quest for Divine remembrance reached such heights that it evidenced their deep recognition of its honor. It is narrated about them that when they met in the markets, they would say:
“Come, let us increase our faith for a while.”
What kind of passion is this?
This is the longing to strengthen the love for Allah and the connection with Him. It is the intense desire to make time useful, lest it be lost in negligence toward Allah’s rights. This is the wakefulness that combats the desires of the soul and the whispers of Satan, defeating them in the struggle of life.
So, O Allah! Grant us the tawfiq (success) for Your remembrance, Your gratitude, and Your best worship. Indeed, You are the Best One to be asked and the Greatest Helper.
(2) Gatherings of the Scholars and the Righteous:
Those who possess beneficial knowledge and righteous actions and are embodiments of asceticism and piety. These are the people who, if you remember Allah, support you, and if you become negligent or forgetful, remind you. When you seek advice, they sincerely wish you well, and being with them instills in you high morals and noble manners. These are the blessed souls about whom Allah Almighty said:
{اُولٰٓئِكَ الَّذِيۡنَ هَدَى اللّٰهُ فَبِهُدٰٮهُمُ اقۡتَدِهۡ} – [Al-An’am: 90]
Translation: “Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so from their guidance take an example.”
(3) Companionship with those who need your knowledge:
Those who gain an understanding of Allah’s religion through you, and who sincerely accept your valuable advice, beneficial instructions, and purposeful guidance. Such guidance serves as spiritual food for them and cures the disease of ignorance. The benefit of sitting in such gatherings is that you receive the same reward for teaching and guiding them as the one who acts upon the guidance receives, because:
“مَنْ دَلَّ عَلَى خَيْرٍ فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ فَاعِلِهِ”.
“Whoever points to a good deed will have a reward similar to the one who does it.” [Sahih Muslim: 1893]
(4) Companionship with books:
Books that contain various sciences of Islamic Sharia or the history of great eras, featuring stories of Allah’s Prophets and Messengers and their nations. Also, books mentioning those who sacrificed their lives for Allah and participated in the battles of Jihad so that the Word of Allah remains supreme and the word of the disbelievers is debased. Particularly those books that document the history of the Muhammadan Da’wah and the successful Ghazawat (battles) where the flags of truth were raised by the heroes of this Ummah—the Muhajireen and Ansar, whom Allah praised and with whom He was pleased, as He said:
{وَالسّٰبِقُوۡنَ الۡاَوَّلُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡمُهٰجِرِيۡنَ وَالۡاَنۡصَارِ وَالَّذِيۡنَ اتَّبَعُوۡهُمۡ بِاِحۡسَانٍ ۙ رَّضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَرَضُوۡا عَنۡهُ وَاَعَدَّ لَهُمۡ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِىۡ تَحۡتَهَا الۡاَنۡهٰرُ خٰلِدِيۡنَ فِيۡهَاۤ اَبَدًا ؕ ذٰلِكَ الۡـفَوۡزُ الۡعَظِيۡمُ} – [At-Tawbah: 100]
Translation: “And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.”
And Allah the Mighty and Sublime also said:
{لَـقَدْ تَّابَ اللّٰهُ عَلَى النَّبِىِّ وَالۡمُهٰجِرِيۡنَ وَالۡاَنۡصَارِ الَّذِيۡنَ اتَّبَعُوۡهُ فِىۡ سَاعَةِ الۡعُسۡرَةِ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيۡغُ قُلُوۡبُ فَرِيۡقٍ مِّنۡهُمۡ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيۡهِمۡؕ اِنَّهٗ بِهِمۡ رَءُوۡفٌ رَّحِيۡمٌۙ} – [At-Tawbah: 117]
Translation: "Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful."
He further said:
{لَـقَدۡ رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَنِ الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ اِذۡ يُبَايِعُوۡنَكَ تَحۡتَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِىۡ قُلُوۡبِهِمۡ فَاَنۡزَلَ السَّكِيۡنَةَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَاَثَابَهُمۡ فَتۡحًا قَرِيۡبًا} – [Al-Fath: 18]
Translation: "Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest."
And other verses of similar meaning in which the beautiful and best praise is recorded for those chosen personalities whom their Lord selected and guided to the straight path.
So, O Allah! Include us among those about whom You said in Your truthful Word:
{وَالَّذِيۡنَ جَآءُوۡ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ يَقُوۡلُوۡنَ رَبَّنَا اغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا وَلِاِخۡوَانِنَا الَّذِيۡنَ سَبَقُوۡنَا بِالۡاِيۡمَانِ وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ فِىۡ قُلُوۡبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّكَ رَءُوۡفٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ} – [Al-Hashr: 10]
Translation: "And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.'"
As for the worst gatherings, they can be summarized in the following points:
(1) Gatherings negligent of Allah’s remembrance:
Where there is involvement in idle talk, the violation of people’s honor, and taking pleasure in mentioning the faults of others, whether they are living or deceased. It is not permissible to backbite them or hold ill suspicions about them, as all these matters cause the displeasure of Allah. Allah’s protective jealousy is provoked when His sacred limits are violated. Regarding the warning against negligence, Allah addressed the Prophet ﷺ, and indirectly the entire Ummah, saying:
{وَلَا تَكُنۡ مِّنَ الۡغٰفِلِيۡنَ} – [Al-A’raf: 205]
Translation: “And be not among the heedless.”
And it is established in a Sahih Hadith that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“مَا جَلَسَ قَوْمٌ مَجْلِسًا، فَتَفَرَّقُوا عَنْ غَيْرِ ذِكْرِ الَّذِي، إِلَّا تَفَرَّقُوا عَنْ مِثْلِ جِيفَةِ حِمَارٍ، وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ الْمَجْلِسُ حَسْرَةً عَلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ”.
“Whenever a people sit in a gathering and depart without mentioning Allah, they depart as if from the carcass of a donkey, and that gathering will be a source of regret for them on the Day of Resurrection.” [Musnad Ahmad: 10825, Sahih]
Likewise, this saying of his is established:
“كُلُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ، حَرَامٌ دَمُهُ، وَمَالُهُ، وَعِرْضُهُ”.
“Every Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth, and his honor.” [Sahih Muslim: 2564]
As for baseless rumors and idle talk, Allah has disliked it for His servants, as reported in Sahih Muslim from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْضَى لَكُمْ ثَلَاثًا، وَيَسْخَطُ لَكُمْ ثَلَاثًا: يَرْضَى لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوهُ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَأَنْ تَعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا، وَأَنْ تُنَاصِحُوا مَنْ وَلَّاهُ اللَّهُ أَمْرَكُمْ، وَيَسْخَطُ لَكُمْ قِيلَ وَقَالَ، وَإِضَاعَةَ الْمَالِ، وَكَثْرَةَ السُّؤَالِ”.
“Allah is pleased with three things for you and dislikes three things for you: He is pleased that you worship Him and do not associate anything with Him, that you hold fast to the rope of Allah together and do not become divided, and that you give sincere advice to those whom Allah has put in charge of your affairs. And He dislikes for you ‘Qila wa Qala’ (idle talk/gossip), wasting wealth, and excessive questioning.” [Musnad Ahmad: 8799, Sahih]
(2) Gatherings of the wicked and those who incite sin:
Those who encourage transgression and disobedience and hinder from goodness and obedience. The Prophet ﷺ gave a striking example regarding such people to warn against sitting with them, saying:
“وَمَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ السَّوْءِ، كَنَافِخُ الْكِيرِ، إِمَّا أَنْ يُحْرِقَ ثِيَابَكَ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَجِدَ رِيحًا خَبِيثَةً”.
“The example of an evil companion is like that of a man blowing the bellows (of a blacksmith); either he will burn your clothes or you will find a foul odor from him.” [Sahih Muslim: 2628]
(3) Gatherings of people of play and amusement:
Those who are engrossed in various types of vain pursuits and instruments of amusement, which today is referred to as the art of singing and music, as well as gatherings where time is wasted in backgammon, chess, cards, and other similar games. Such gatherings are signs of people of ignorance, immorality, and misguidance.
However, one who has complete conviction and confidence that time is a great blessing from Allah Almighty, given to the servant to spend in obedience to his Lord, will not let even a moment go to waste without collecting a treasure of good deeds for his hereafter. This is the capital that brings him closer to his Lord, until when he meets his Creator, he will receive the full reward, thus attaining His Paradise and His pleasure.
By Allah! If we, the community of Muslims, were to instill in our sight, our feelings, and our hearts this saying of our Prophet ﷺ (upon whom be prayers and peace from his Lord):
“لَا تَزُولُ قَدَمَا ابْنِ آدَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّهِ حَتَّى يُسْأَلَ عَنْ خَمْسٍ: عَنْ عُمُرِهِ فِيمَ أَفْنَاهُ، وَعَنْ شَبَابِهِ فِيمَ أَبْلَاهُ، وَمَالِهِ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَبَهُ، وَفِيمَ أَنْفَقَهُ”.
“The feet of the son of Adam will not move from his Lord on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about five things: about his life and how he spent it, about his youth and how he used it, about his wealth and from where he earned it and in what he spent it, and about his knowledge and what he did with it.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2416, Hasan]
And if we reflected on this truthful and fearsome standing (the Day of Judgment) like the wise, the pious, and those who tremble with the fear of Allah (whose state is described in the Quran):
{اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ هُمۡ مِّنۡ خَشۡيَةِ رَبِّهِمۡ مُّشۡفِقُوۡنَۙ (٥٧) وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ (٥٨) وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوا وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ} – [Al-Mu’minun: 57-60]
Translation: "Indeed, they who are apprehensive from fear of their Lord (57) And they who believe in the signs of their Lord (58) And they who do not associate anything with their Lord (59) And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord."
Then certainly, our matter and conduct regarding our souls would be such that it would please Allah.
Yes, if we reflected like those virtuous and chosen people, we would observe Taqwa in every coming and going, every word and deed, and in every transaction and disposal of life. But alas! The enemy (Satan) attacked the hearts such that they became hard like stone, and he attacked the souls and called them, and they responded to his call. Consequently, they fell into play, amusement, and negligence, and soon they will know what they sent forward and what they left behind. He attacked all limbs and permeated them like the flow of blood in the veins; thus, they became lazy in performing their duties and shrank from good deeds, as if they never heard the call of the trustworthy, truthful, and well-wishing Prophet ﷺ, who warns:
“وَاللَّهِ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا أَعْلَمُ لَضَحِكْتُمْ قَلِيلًا وَلَبَكَيْتُمْ كَثِيرًا، وَمَا تَلَذَّذْتُمْ بِالنِّسَاءِ عَلَى الْفُرُشَاتِ، وَلَخَرَجْتُمْ إِلَى الصُّعُدَاتِ تَجْأَرُونَ إِلَى اللَّهِ”.
“By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much, and you would not enjoy your wives on your beds, and you would go out to the open plains crying out to Allah.” [Sunan Ibn Majah: 4190, Hasan] or as the Prophet ﷺ said.
But today, I see the opposite situation; laughter and joking have increased, and the weeping out of fear of Allah has ceased. People have become absorbed in all kinds of pleasures and amusements and have preferred the worldly life (over the hereafter). Fear of God has decreased, negligence has become common, hopes (for life) have become long, and the desires of the soul are being followed—as if they do not know that the life of the hereafter with Allah is far better and everlasting.
This is the state of people today and their reality on the ground, except for the fortunate ones upon whom your Lord has shown mercy, and such people are very few. So, the complaint is only to Allah, and not to anyone besides Him.
