Dhikr (or Zikr) is among the greatest acts of worship in Islam, encompassing tasbih (glorification), tahlil (declaring Allah's oneness), tahmid (praise), takbir (magnification), and dua (supplication). The remembrance of Allah is considered one of the easiest and most virtuous forms of worship, as it can be performed at any time and place, without specific conditions except for the recommended state of purity.
"So remember Me; I will remember you." (Quran 2:152)
Dhikr holds a prominent place in Islam, mentioned repeatedly in both the Quran and the Sunnah:
In the Quran: Dhikr appears in more than 200 places throughout the Quran, indicating its immense importance. Allah says: "O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance" (Quran 33:41).
In the Sunnah: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember his Lord is like the example of the living and the dead" (Bukhari). He also said, "Shall I not inform you of the best of your deeds, and the purest of them with your Lord, and the highest of them in your ranks, and what is better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks and they strike your necks?" They said, "Yes, indeed, O Messenger of Allah." He said, "The remembrance of Allah." (Tirmidhi)
Dhikr in Islam comes in various forms and expressions:
1. Tasbih: "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah) - declaring Allah free from any imperfection or deficiency.
2. Tahmid: "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah) - praising Allah for His attributes and actions.
3. Tahlil: "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no deity except Allah) - affirming Allah's exclusive divinity.
4. Takbir: "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is Greatest) - affirming Allah's greatness and magnificence.
5. Hawqala: "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" (There is no might nor power except with Allah) - acknowledging that all power and strength belong to Allah alone.
6. Istighfar: "Astaghfirullah" (I seek Allah's forgiveness) - seeking forgiveness from Allah.
7. Dua: Supplication to Allah, asking for one's needs.
Among the recommended remembrances in Islam are the morning and evening adhkar, recited after Fajr (dawn) prayer and after Asr (afternoon) prayer, including:
"We have entered a new morning, and all dominion belongs to Allah. Praise be to Allah. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. To Allah belongs the dominion, and to Him belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things. My Lord, I ask You for the good of this day and the good of what follows it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of this day and the evil of what follows it. My Lord, I seek refuge in You from laziness and the misery of old age. My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the torment of the Hell-fire and from the torment of the grave." (Muslim)
At sunset, "morning" (asbahna) is replaced with "evening" (amsayna). Other recommended remembrances include:
The Master of Forgiveness-Seeking: "O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no deity except You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I abide by Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil that I have done. I acknowledge Your blessing upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You." (Bukhari)
Ayatul Kursi (The Verse of the Throne): "Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." (Quran 2:255)
One important form of remembrance is mentioning Allah's Beautiful Names. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred minus one; whoever memorizes them will enter Paradise." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Some of Allah's Beautiful Names include:
| # | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allah | The One and Only Deity worthy of worship |
| 2 | Ar-Rahman | The Most Gracious, whose mercy encompasses all creation |
| 3 | Ar-Raheem | The Most Merciful, who bestows mercy on whom He wills |
| 4 | Al-Malik | The King, the Sovereign who controls all affairs |
| 5 | Al-Quddus | The Most Holy, Pure and Perfect, free from any imperfection |
It is recommended for Muslims to learn Allah's Beautiful Names and their meanings, and to call upon Allah using them. Allah says, "And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them." (Quran 7:180)
Remembrance of Allah has great importance in a Muslim's daily life, forming a continuous spiritual practice that connects one to Allah at all times:
After Prayers: Such as saying Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar 33 times each after every obligatory prayer, and reciting Ayatul Kursi.
Before Sleep and Upon Waking: Such as reciting the Mu'awwidhat (protective surahs) and tasbih before sleep, and saying "All praise is due to Allah who gave us life after He caused us to die, and to Him is the resurrection" upon waking.
During Meals: Such as saying "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) before eating and "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah) after finishing.
When Entering and Leaving Home: Such as saying "In the name of Allah we enter, and in the name of Allah we leave, and upon our Lord we rely" when entering.
During Distress: Such as "There is no deity except Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing. There is no deity except Allah, Lord of the Great Throne. There is no deity except Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth and Lord of the Noble Throne." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Dhikr offers numerous spiritual and psychological benefits, including:
Tranquility and Inner Peace: Allah says, "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (Quran 13:28). Dhikr brings tranquility and peace to the soul.
Strengthening the Connection with Allah: Dhikr strengthens the bond between the servant and the Lord, making Muslims more conscious of Allah's presence in all their states.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Modern studies have shown that practices of remembrance and meditation help reduce stress and anxiety and improve mental health.
Increasing Faith: Dhikr increases a Muslim's faith and certainty, bringing them closer to Allah.
Protection from Satanic Whispers: Dhikr is a strong shield against Satan's whispers and temptations, as Allah says, "And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing." (Quran 7:200)
Islamic spirituality, or Tasawwuf, places great emphasis on dhikr as one of the most important means of drawing closer to Allah and purifying the soul:
Dhikr Circles: Collective dhikr gatherings became widespread in Sufi practices, where practitioners gather to remember Allah with raised voices in specific ways.
Awrad and Ahzab: Sufi sheikhs developed special litanies and compilations of prayers and remembrances that their disciples would commit to daily.
Dhikr of the Heart: Sufis emphasized the remembrance of the heart or silent remembrance, which is keeping Allah present in one's heart without verbal utterance.
It is important to adhere to the lawful forms of dhikr found in the Quran and Sunnah, and to avoid innovations and contradictions that may be found in some Sufi practices.
For those wishing to establish a habit of dhikr in their daily lives:
Dhikr is among the greatest and easiest acts of worship, available to Muslims at any time and place. It represents a constant relationship between the servant and the Lord, strengthening the spirit, purifying the heart, and elevating the soul. Regular remembrance of Allah places the Muslim in Allah's company and protection, bringing happiness and tranquility in this life and the next.
"The men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward." (Quran 33:35)