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Fatwa CenterMeeting regularly as a group to recite Du'aa, Quranic verses, etc.
Question
Many of our female family members, including my sisters, cousins and others meet on every Monday evening and together we recite Du'a, Surah Ya-Sin, etc. as well prayers for the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. Our main aim is to remember God by reciting Du'a, etc. but at the same time it also helps by bringing most of our family members together at least once a week in this busy and hectic life. This Meeting, we hope brings us reward from God, through our reciting of Du'a and at the same time bringing the family members together.
I would be grateful if you would advise us if such a gathering as above is alright as we hear from other sources that it is Bid'a.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
In principle gathering to mention Allaah is something recommended by Islamic Law. For instance, the Prophet 
said: "When people assemble in one of the houses of Allaah (mosques), reciting the Book of Allaah and learning and teaching the Quran (among themselves), tranquillity would descend upon them,…" [Muslim]
So gathering to mention Allaah is something praised; however, it is more appropriate to follow the way of the righteous predecessors in gathering to seek religious knowledge. As regards gathering in a way that is mentioned in the question and the like, if it is done occasionally and is not a habit, then there is no harm in it as long as it does not contradict the Sunnah, because the masses of people would think that this way of mentioning Allaah is the Sunnah and that the Prophet and his companions 
used to mention Allaah in this way.
So if this matter is taken as a habit, then it becomes an innovation, and it is better to avoid mentioning Allaah in the manner mentioned in the question. It is reported that Ibn Mas'ood 
said: "Follow the guidance [of the Prophet and his companions ] and do not innovate as this will suffice you [you were taught about everything, and you do not need to innovate]."
So we advise you to use this gathering in order to learn the matters pertaining to your religion by inviting a caller to Islam to give you a lecture, and it is more appropriate if you invite a learned woman who is knowledgeable about the matters of her religion.
Allaah knows best.
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