Al-sallamu Al-laikoum Recently, I have met this pious guy, who showed a method of calling one of the names of Allah for some certain times (Silently, with "khisho'o") and then ask Allah for any of my desires. Does that consider as an innovation? beside, is it permissible to recites "Asma Allahu al husna" as many as we wish, as a worshiping? Jazzakoum Allahu khair

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.

Restricting the mention of Allaah to a definite number has two cases:

1-      If specifying a definite number is reported from the Prophet like saying Subhaanah Allaah, Al-hamdu Lillaah and Allaahu Akbar, thirty three times each after the obligatory prayer; in this case one should follow the number which is specified.

2-      Specifying the mention of Allaah with a number which is not reported from the Prophet ; in this case fixing a number on a regular basis becomes a religious innovation.

Therefore, if the specified number which your friend told you is Islamicly determined, then you may act upon it, otherwise you should not restrict yourself to this.

Moreover, it should be noted that specifying a given mention of Allaah or a saying a given Name of Allaah before supplicating Allaah is a matter which requires religious evidence for it to be permissible.

What is religiously confirmed is that a Muslim should start his supplication by glorifying Allaah without limiting this to a given Name, exalting the mention of the Prophet and then one should supplicate for his needs.

For more benefit on silent mention of Allaah, please refer to Fatwa 90985.