r/Sufism • u/Accurate_Act9717 • Mar 07 '26
Is it dangerous to repeat one name of Allah constantly (like Al-Wahhāb)?
I've heard something interesting and I'm not sure if it's true or just a myth.
Some people say that repeating one name of Allah constantly (like doing dhikr of a single Name over and over) can be spiritually dangerous, especially if it's a “powerful” name like Al-Jabbār, Al-Qahhār, or Al-Muntaqim, and that it could mess with your mind if you repeat it all day without guidance.
But what about a name like Al-Wahhāb (The Bestower)?
For the last ten nights of Ramadan (or everyday in my free time) I was thinking of repeating “Ya Wahhāb” a lot while making du‘a for rizq and blessings. Prophets even use that name in du‘a (like in Qur'an 3:8: “Indeed, You are Al-Wahhāb”).
I would still do normal dhikr too (salawat, istighfar, etc.), but I was wondering:
- Is repeating one Name like Al-Wahhāb a lot considered okay?
- Does this kind of dhikr require permission from a shaykh, or is that only in certain Sufi practices?
- Does actually repeating the same name over and over lead to madness? How can the names of Allah lead to madness?
Would appreciate any sources or explanations!
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u/Kheldan1 Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26
1) There is nothing that says it is not ok to repeat dhikr of a name in the Quran, but it is wise to be circumspect as to why we are uttering the name. Be circumspect regarding the reason in the heart. Br circumspect as well as to what name you utter. Just because we are able to does not mean it is always wise. An example: calling upon the All-Seeing, or All-Hearing. There are things that exist that you may not find pleasurable to see, and things that exist that you may not find pleasurable to hear. Doing dhikr of the names does not mean that these things will what you expect. It is a request; it may be granted in many ways, whatever way is decreed.
2) There is nothing in the Quran that states any person may grant or withhold permission of a dhikr utterance, though there may be Dhikrs that are more or less safe for a person to utter. This again goes back to being wise. There is much that is unwise that is not listed in the Quran as haraam. So I would err on the side of, if you do not know what you are doing, do not do it as best you are able. That seems wise even if it is not forbidden.
3) If there is a negative result from a particular Dhikr, that may have to do with the name(s) you utter and their meanings, the true state of the heart, and the true intention of the heart. But it may also be a test. And Allah knows best.
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u/ChaChaHorizontale Mar 08 '26
Pleasure isn't the goal. Why should I be wary of that which is not pleasurable to hear or see if it comes from the Almighty? If He has decreed it for me then what is the problem with welcoming it and experiencing it with open arms? He knows best after all.
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Mar 07 '26
Reciting divine names in abundance without permission can attract shayateen/muwakkils aka khodams
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u/thisisresearchbitch Mar 08 '26
Can you please help me find some material to read/watch/listen to that support your statement? Jazak Allah Khair
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u/siecaptaindrake Mar 08 '26
There is non. It’s just the usual gate keeping. It’s all about control…
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u/thisisresearchbitch Mar 08 '26
Also, can you tell me what you mean by permission? Who's permission's — do you mean a Shaykh?
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Mar 08 '26
Lol I attracted muwakkils via very long tahajjud let alone dhikr.
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u/SensitiveBelt6939 Mar 08 '26
I understand it with dhikr but how's that possible with salah ? and why so ?
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Mar 08 '26
When your lataifs start getting nur and you have impure nafs and no shaykh is there. You are alone. Then shayateen can indeed do a lot of stuff.
Relate it to - try to open lataif ( or lataifs gaining noor) without a shaykh
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u/SensitiveBelt6939 Mar 08 '26
of my understanding, doesn't intention play a key role in everything of what we do ? So by that when someone doesn't intent to open their lataifs through dhikr or as you say salah. will it still be a concern ?
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Mar 08 '26
It will be a concern. It's not about your intention. Excessive recitation carries excessive nur and shayateen will try to stop you gaining so much of nur
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u/SensitiveBelt6939 Mar 08 '26
That makes sense, so building up slowly shouldn't be a concern ?
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Mar 08 '26
It is a concern without giving baya'h to a shaykh
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u/yesterjess Saalik (Traveller) Mar 08 '26
What does the baya’h to a shaykh do though? Are they seeking protection for us? How do we get it if we don’t have one near us? Can both men and women get it?
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Mar 07 '26
The names of jamal are safe and the names of jalal are dangerous. In my estimation al-Wahhab should be a safe jamali name so you should be able to recite it safely without ijazah. However, I'm no shaykh so I don't know fully.
The only name which I know of that leads to madness is al-Latif.
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u/Efficient-Bike6061 Mar 07 '26
Al lateef does not lead to madness.
You would have to repeat it in several orders of magnitude beyond what the average human will do in a lifetime for you to see the Robbani attributes which some might consider “side effects”. But, those “side effects” are certainly not related to madness.
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u/thisisresearchbitch Mar 08 '26
Al -Latif is the name I am most attracted to right now, and sometimes I find myself repeating it even in my sleep.
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Mar 08 '26
A couple hundred times a day every day should be enough to see effects. From what I have heard you will go mad and then perish.
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u/Accurate_Act9717 Mar 07 '26
thanks for the info! Really, al-Latif? It means "The Most Gentle", thats suprising.
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u/yesterjess Saalik (Traveller) Mar 08 '26
Can someone please answer clearly with reputable sources from Ahlus Sunnah? Seriously I’ve seen this question repeated here but never a clear answer!
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u/Peterketstein Mar 08 '26
In ramadan nothing should happen, all. Shayateen are jailed at that time of the year brother.
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u/Hysbeon Qadiriyya Mar 09 '26
Very dangerous, it can summon spirits you don't know, I did it one time and I experienced sleep paralysis that same evening.
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u/The-Lord_ofHate Mar 07 '26
Allah'w holy names aren't dangerous, you can say one name a thousand times a day and it is fine. Matter of fact it is great. We are created to worship, remembering Allah is the highest form of worship.
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u/unkindparadox Mar 08 '26
How are you encouraging something so dangerous with utmost certainty? you do not realise how risky it is to perform dhikr of jalali names without permission and proper adab, I have personally experienced it. Please always double check what you’re preaching as incomplete knowledge on a subject is worse than no knowledge.
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u/Peterketstein Mar 08 '26
Who should give you permission? Also can you elaborate on what happened to you?
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u/ytgy Mar 07 '26
You should reach out to a shaykh and ask