Introduction
Remembering Allah (dhikr) is one of the greatest means of achieving Worshiping, Obeying, Loving and Submitting to Allah SWT. Dhikr is one of the forms of ibadah Allah commanded us to do plenty of.
“يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا”
“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance.”
[Surah Ahzab Verse 41 ]
Engaging in Dhikr involves you thinking of and making mention of Allah at all times, and in every aspect of your lifes. It is a type of Ibadah with no specific time. But it is to be performed constantly so that we stay connected with Allah SWT.
Forms of Dhikr
Dhikr Lisani
Remembrance of Allah with the Tongue. It is a type of dhikr that if you utter, you receive a reward for it. And it is not necessary that you understand or recall the meaning. As long as you do not intend other than its meaning.
Dhikr Qalbi
It is a form of remembrance of Allah with the heart. it entails a feeling of Allah in your heart. Where you’re constantly thinking of Allah in everything that you do.
Dhikr Lisani wa Qalbi
A complete form of dhikr. The remembrance of Allah with the tongue and the heart. While keeping your tongue moist with the Dhikr, you are also fully aware and pondering over the meaning of its words.
Habitual Vs. Conscious
A habitual kind of dhikr is when you say it heedlessly without really being intentional about it. Just like that, you say Subhanallah, or Astagfirullah because you are just used to saying it.
A conscious type of dhikr is when for example you think about the ugliness of your past sins, and this leads you to ponder and have regret. The fruit of this thought leads you to say Astagfirullah.
Shaytan may cast doubt in your heart and you may start thinking like: ‘I am uttering سُبْحَانَ الله a hundred times but I am not thinking about it. Is there even a point? Yes! there is still a point because it is better than nothing.
Just do as much dhikr as you can. Anytime you recall, continue where you stopped. Once you are able to achieve that You begin to gradually graduate. From Dhikr Lisani to Dhikr Qalbi and finally to the top of the ladder.
‘Dhikr of the heart and tongue leads one to know Allah, inspires love, encourages modesty, and leads to fear and self-examination. It keeps one from falling short in obedience to Him and prevents one from taking sins lightly.’
(Ibn al-Qayyim)
What Dhikr Entails
Dhikr entails remembering Allah SWT when you wake up in the morning. Before eating, after eating, upon leaving the house, starting to do anything, on entering various places, and before performing so many other activities.
Our Prophet Muhammad (saw) has taught us supplications for every occasion and activity in our lives. If you are able to hold on to it with proper understanding, everything you do Inshallah will amount to the remembrance and worship of Allah SWT.
With a little effort, these can be learned. But if for any reason you cannot remember the appropriate one, then even saying Bismillah and being conscious of Allah amounts to dhikr.
And will be a source of barakah (blessing) in everything we do.
Benefits
The benefits of being in constant remembrance of Allah cannot be highlighted enough. We should all strive to make it a priority in our lives and hold on so dearly too.
Think of it as a shield. Although some of us take it for granted. Work on actively changing your mindest about it.
Dhikr leads to success:
Ponder over the story of Musa (AS). When Allah SWT told them to go out with his signs. He reminded them also to not slack in his remembrance. At the end of their mission you see how victorious they were.
“ٱذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَأَخُوكَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِى وَلَا تَنِيَا فِى ذِكْرِى”
“Go, you and your brother, with My signs and do not slacken in My remembrance.”
[Surah Taha Verse 42]
Dhikr Brings Life to the Heart:
The more we engage in the remembrance of Allah, the more our hearts become softer. If our hearts are empty of Allah’s remembrance, we get faced with a lot of feelings that we cannot even define.
Restlessness, constantly feeling sadness, and a lack of proper direction in our lives. And just not knowing where to put our heads.
“The parable of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like the parable of the living and the dead.”
(Bukhārī)
Dhkir is the best of all deeds:
Remembrance of Allah is an all-embracing term that, includes the ritual acts of worship, and covers an array of activities of the tongue and heart.
One of the companions RA asked: “O Messenger of Allah, the laws of Islam have become many for me, so tell me
something which I can cling on to.” He SAW replied: “Always keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.”
(Tirmidhi)
Theres a lot to be said about dhikr but the bottom line is: Be intentional about Always keeping your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.
Conclusion
It is very important that we remember Allah at all times, both in private and when amongst people. The men and women who remember Allah have been specially mentioned in the Quran amongst the categories of people that are dear to Allah.
May Allah make us of those who remember Allah much. Ameen
If you found this little reminder beneficial please share it with others who might benefit. Also, share with us more tips on dhikr that has helped you in any way.
