—that they must all raise their voices in unison. The ḥadīth is unrestricted, and the early generations were never known to engage in a synchronized collective recital such as that practiced today by some Sufi orders and others.

The report adds that upon those who gather for remembrance “tranquillity descends.” This tranquillity is the calm assurance of the heart—its humility and turning back to Allah. “Mercy envelops them,” meaning it surrounds them from every side, placing them closer still to Allah’s mercy. “The angels encircle them,” that is, they gather round them in honour and approval of what they are doing. “And Allah mentions them among those who are with Him,” namely, before the Highest Assembly. We have already cited His words, “Whoever remembers Me within himself, I will remember him within Myself; and whoever remembers Me in a gathering, I will remember him in a gathering better than theirs.”

As for the second ḥadīth: The Prophet ﷺ was seated in the mosque with his Companions when three men approached. One of them turned away and did not join the circle. The second found an opening and sat in it. The third sat behind the gathering, as though too shy to push forward and crowd the people. When the Prophet ﷺ finished, he said, “Shall I inform you about these three? One of them sought refuge with Allah, so Allah granted him refuge”—this was the man who took a seat in the circle, and Allah drew him near because his intention to sit with the Prophet ﷺ was sincere, so Allah eased the way for him. “The second felt shy, so Allah was shy with him,” for he neither shoved his way forward nor advanced. “The third turned away, so Allah turned away from him,” and he was not granted the success to sit with that righteous, pure company.

This ḥadīth also affirms the attribute of ḥayāʾ (modesty) for Allah, yet it is nothing like the modesty of created beings; rather, it is a perfect modesty befitting His majesty. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Indeed…"