Sufi Zikir Ceremony
A zikir is a litany formula that usually follows an Islamic prayer, but which can also be practiced at other times. The Arabic word “dhikr,” which literally means "mention," "remembrance," "evocation," or "recollection," is part of the Malay Indonesian vocabulary, sometimes written as dzikir. This concept and meditation tool is commonly linked with Sufi practices. Certain words or names of God are repeated as litanies after prayer, in accordance with the Prophet Muhammad's tradition, or the teachings of Sufi orders. The most common zikir formulas are "God is holy" (Subhanallah), "All praise to God" (Alhamdulillah), "God is most great" (Allahuakbar), and "There is no god but God" (Lailaha-illallah), repeated in either a low or a high voice.
The purpose of this practice is to increase piety. Since in Islam God is considered unimaginable and unthinkable, the zikir plays an important role in bringing one closer to or into union with God. Some zikir formulas also involve body movement and special breathing patterns, performed while counting beads. Correct practice is achieved when the practitioner consciously feels comfortable and at peace, which is sometimes inaccurately analogized with a state of trance. To be performed effectively, the zikir must be learned under the guidance of a teacher who can explain, among other things, the doctrines behind the words and the difference between the nature and essence of God.