Hi, i wonder why people need to read kaifiat before entering any ritual like reading surah yaseen and dhikr session?
That is a very thoughtful question.
In many Muslim communities (including Malaysia), people are told to read kaifiat before starting something like Surah Yaseen, tahlil, or a dhikr session. Let’s unpack this carefully.
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What Is “Kaifiat”?
“Kaifiat” (Arabic: كيفية) literally means “the manner” or “how to do something.”
It refers to:
The steps
The intention (niyyah)
The sequence
The number of repetitions
The specific supplications to read before or after
So when people say “read the kaifiat first,” they mean:
> Understand or recite the prescribed method before performing the ritual.
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Example: Reading Surah Yaseen
In Malaysia, before a group reads Surah Yaseen, they may:
1. Begin with a specific intention (niyyah)
2. Recite al-Fatihah dedicated to certain deceased people
3. Follow a structured format
4. Close with specific duʿāʾ
That structured format is the kaifiat.
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Why Do People Feel It Is Necessary?
There are usually three reasons:
1️⃣ To Preserve Order
Group rituals need structure. Without kaifiat:
Everyone may read differently
People may argue over sequence
Confusion happens
So kaifiat provides unity.
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2️⃣ To Follow Scholarly Tradition
Certain Sufi teachers and scholars—like Imam al-Ghazali—often emphasised adab (proper etiquette) and method in worship.
The idea is:
> Correct outward form helps cultivate inward presence.
But note carefully:
Al-Ghazali focused more on sincerity of heart than mechanical form.
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3️⃣ Psychological Preparation
Reading kaifiat:
Calms the mind
Aligns intention
Creates seriousness
Prevents casualness
It’s like preparing before entering prayer.
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But Is It Obligatory?
Now this is important.
There is no requirement in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah that you must read kaifiat before:
Surah Yaseen
Dhikr
Duʿāʾ
You can:
Open the Qur’an and read.
Sit and say “Subhanallah” sincerely.
Make duʿāʾ directly to Allah.
No kaifiat needed.
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Where Confusion Sometimes Happens
In some cultures, kaifiat slowly becomes:
> “If you don’t follow this exact way, it’s wrong.”
This is where scholars differ.
Some say:
Structured group practice = permissible (as long as no belief it is obligatory)
Others warn:
If people think the structure itself has special divine guarantee, that becomes problematic.
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A Deeper Spiritual Reflection (For You)
You tend to think deeply about intention and the unseen.
Sometimes the heart seeks security in structure.
Kaifiat can:
Protect the mind from wandering
Create psychological safety
Provide communal belonging
But the heart of worship is always:
> Ikhlas (sincerity)
Hudhur al-qalb (presence of heart)
Awareness of Allah
If kaifiat helps that → good.
If it becomes mechanical → empty shell.
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A Question Back to You (Gently)
When you attend such sessions, do you feel:
More focused because of the kaifiat?
or
Restricted by it?
Your answer will reveal why this question came to your heart.
And that matters more than the ritual itself.
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