Soofee Trance: from the actions of Shaitaan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

`Abdullaah Ibn `Urwah Ibn al-Zubair said: ❝I asked my grandmother – Asmaa’ (Bint Abu Bakr) رضي الله عنهما: ‘What was the state of the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when they recited the Qur’aan?’❞

She replied: ❝They would be in the state as Allaah عز وجل described them (in the Qur’aan): Their eyes would overflow with tears and their skins would shiver (when they recited it or heard it).❞

I said: ❝But the people nowadays, when they hear the Qur’aan go into trance.❞

She said: ❝I seek Allaah’s refuge from the Shaitaan.❞

[Reported by Sa`ee Ibn Mansoor “Tafseer min Sunanih”, al- Baihaqee in “Shu`ab al-Imaan” (1900) and al-Shaatibee in “al-`Itisaam” (1/352) with a Saheeh Chain]

Benefits from this narration:

1. In this is a proper guidance – the methodology of the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم – while reciting the Qur’aan. When they used to recite the Qur’aan, their eyes would overflow with tears and their skins would shiver.

2. This narration describes the deviancy of those who call themselves as Soofees and who go into trances, or swoon, or run in circles, or jump up and down when they recite the Qur’aan or do any other form of Dhikr. And Asmaa’ Bint al-Siddeeq seeking Allaah’s refuge from this action is a refutation and confirmation that this action is from Shaitaan and not from the actions of the pious predecessors.

3. This narration teaches us an important lesson: Righteous actions like – al-Zuhd (asceticism), al-Khawf (fear of Allaah), and al-Ikhbaat (humility) – are not to be taken by the appearances of those who display it. Rather, they have to be in accordance with the Kitaab and the Sunnah, and as per the understanding of the Companions رضي الله عنهم أجمعين.