In today’s blog, I will discuss a very important topic, which is Importance of Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah Almighty) in Islam. Many of us have some ambiguity regarding this matter. I will try to clear up this ambiguity and provide a clear understanding of Dhikr. I will also highlight its identification and significance in Islam. By reading the full blog you will get the answer of a common questions, “What is Dhikr?”. Though I am not an expert on this topic; I am still learning. From this learning perspective, I will try to present this topic to you as beautifully as possible.
I want to make it clear that in my writing, you will mostly find verses from the Quran and Hadith. The reason for this is that I firmly believe that the words of Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) carry more benefits and blessings for you than my own words. Sometimes, my writing may become a bit too informative. This is because I personally enjoy reading detailed and informative content, and I believe many of you do as well. Nonetheless, you are welcome to share your valuable opinions on any matter. I am always ready to learn something good and correct my mistakes. You can connect with me through this email address: welcome@spreadingwisdom.com.
I seek refuge in Allah Almighty from all kinds of harm and pray that He makes my work easy. I also pray that He considers this effort a means of salvation for us in this world and the hereafter. Whatever is good in my writing is entirely a blessing from Allah Almighty, and any faults are due to Satan (Devil) and my own lack of knowledge. JazakAllah. (Thank you).
Remembrance of Dhikr: Identification of Dhikr
Dhikr (ذكر), an Arabic term meaning “remembrance” or “mention”. It is also pronounced “Zikr”. No worries, both are same thing.
Definition of Dhikr
“It refers to the practice of remembering Allah Almighty through various forms of devotional acts. This can include spoken words, silent contemplation, or actions that reflect the presence of Allah in one’s life. Dhikr (remembrance of Allah Almighty) is a fundamental practice in Islam, aimed at fostering a deep connection with Allah and enhancing spiritual awareness”.
The second meaning of the word Dhikr is to give advice and receive education. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala says in the Holy Quran,
- “وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ” “So remind, if the reminder should benefit.” [¹]
Additionally, the term “Dhikr” has several meanings, including Quran, obedience, honor, dignity, etc. All these meanings have been used in the Qur’anic context.
Remembrance of Dhikr: What is Dhikr?
At the beginning of this blog, I mentioned that there is a common misconception about Dhikr (remembrance of Allah Almighty). Many of us think that Dhikr only means verbally remembering Allah Almighty by saying phrases like SubhanAllah (سبحان الله), Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله), La ilaha illallah (لا اله الا الله), etc. However, the concept of Dhikr extends beyond just verbal remembrance. It also encompasses other acts of devotion that remind us of Allah’s presence.
In Islam, Dhikr (remembrance of Allah Almighty) refers to the remembrance of Allah through all aspects of Islamic practices. This means that any act of following Islamic guidelines is a form of Dhikr. For instance, when we perform Salah (prayer), we are engaging in Dhikr, as Allah Almighty Himself mentions in the Holy Quran.
- “وَاَقِمِ الصَّلٰوةَ لِذِكْرِيْ” “And establish Salāh for My remembrance.” [²]
Another example is abstaining from prohibited acts. Allah has made many things forbidden for us in Islam. When we refrain from these forbidden acts out of fear of Allah, it is also considered Dhikr. Thus, staying away from haram (forbidden) activities like consuming alcohol, committing murder, or engaging in other prohibited behaviors is a form of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah Almighty).
Opinions of early islamic scholars about dhikr
Furthermore, the idea that all Islamic guidelines, including Prayer, Fasting, making supplication, etc., constitute Dhikr is not just my personal opinion. This view is supported by many of the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet) and Tabi’een (followers of the Sahabah). Below are some of their statements on this matter.
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala says in the Holy Quran,
- “فَاذْكُرُوْنِيْۤ اَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوْا لِيْ وَلَا تَكْفُرُوْنِ” “So remember Me, and I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and be not ungrateful to Me.” [³]
In the explanation of this verse, the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet) and the Tabi’un (followers of the Sahabah) have stated that Dhikr here refers to all forms of worship and acts of obedience to Allah. Obeying Allah is considered Dhikr from the servant’s side, and Allah’s reward, mercy, peace, and blessings are considered Dhikr from Allah’s side to the servant.
- Imam Tabari commented on this, saying, “O believers, by obeying the commands I have given you and avoiding what I have forbidden, you are remembering Me through your obedience. In return, I will remember you by granting you My mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.” [⁴]
Here’s another commentary regarding this matter,
- “Abdullah ibn Rabi’ah reported that Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that remembering Allah encompasses His Tasbih (saying SubhanAllah), Tahleel (saying La ilaha illallah), praising Him, reciting the Quran, and refraining from what He has prohibited, all of which are forms of Dhikr. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) also said that Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), and other acts of worship are all forms of Dhikr of Allah.” [⁵]
- “The renowned woman companion of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace And Blessings Be Upon Him), Umm Darda, said that when you perform Salah, it is Dhikr of Allah; when you fast, it is Dhikr of Allah; any good deed you do is Dhikr of Allah; and any evil deed you avoid is also Dhikr of Allah. However, among all these, the best form of Dhikr is saying SubhanAllah (سبحان الله) (Glory be to Allah).” [⁶]
Remembrance of Dhikr: Types of Dhikr
I think now you have understood the concept of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah Almighty) in Islam. Now, moving back to the types of Dhikr in Islam. There are mainly three types of Dhikr in Islam:
- Verbal Dhikr: Includes recitation of Quranic verses, making supplication (Du’a), praising Allah Almighty, etc.
- Silent Dhikr: Includes reflecting on the attributes and greatness of Allah in silence, thinking deeply about Allah’s creations and blessings, etc.
- Physical Dhikr: includes Praying (Salah), Fasting, Doing good deeds etc.
Importance of Dhikr in Islam from the quran
The importance of Dhikr in Islam is tremendous. If you look at the verses of the Quran and the hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), you can understand the importance of Dhikr in Islam. Firstly, I will present several verses from the Qur’an that highlight the importance of Dhikr. Then, I will present Hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In doing so, I will try to emphasize the Qur’anic verses and Hadiths more than my own words, Insha’Allah. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran,
- “وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ” “And the remembrance of God (Allah) is greater.” [⁷]
- “وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ” “And remember God (Allah) often, so that you may succeed.” [⁸]
- “يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا – وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا” “O you who believe, remember Allah abundantly, and proclaim His purity at morn and eve.” [⁹]
- “وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ بُكْرَةً وَّاَصِيلًا” “And pronounce the name of Allah morning and evening.” [¹⁰]
- “وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهٖ فَصَلّٰي” “And pronounces the name of his Lord, then offers prayer.” [¹¹]
- “وَاذْكُرُوا اللّٰهَ فِيْۤ اَيَّامٍ مَّعْدُوْدٰتٍ” “Recite the name of Allah during the given number of days.” [¹²]
More verses about Dhikr
- “اَلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوْبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللّٰهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوْبُ” “The ones who believe and their hearts are peaceful with the remembrance of Allah. Listen, the hearts find peace only in the remembrance of Allah.” [¹³]
- “فَاِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ الصَّلٰوةَ فَاذْكُرُوا اللّٰهَ قِيٰمًا وَّقُعُوْدًا وَّعَلٰي جُنُوْبِكُمْ” “Once you have finished your Salāh, then remember Allah while standing, sitting, and reclining.” [¹⁴]
- “وَاذْكُرْ رَّبَّكَ كَثِيْرًا وَّسَبِّحْ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْاِبْكَارِ” “Remember your Lord much; and proclaim His purity in the evening and the morning.” [¹⁵]
- “الَّذِيْنَ يَذْكُرُوْنَ اللّٰهَ قِيٰمًا وَّقُعُوْدًا وَّعَلٰي جُنُوْبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُوْنَ فِيْ خَلْقِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ ۚ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هٰذَا بَاطِلًا ۚ سُبْحٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ” “Those who remember Allah standing and sitting, and (lying) on their sides, and ponder on the creation of the heavens and the earth (and say) ‘Our Lord, You have not created all this in vain. We proclaim Your purity. So, save us from the punishment of Fire.'” [¹⁶]
I think I already gave you lots of verses from the Holy Quran about the importance of Dhikr. There are also lots of verses you can find in the Holy Quran about this matter. Now let’s check out some of the Hadith in this regard.
You can read this post also to know the importance of quran, The Importance of The Qur’an in Human Life
Importance of Dhikr in Islam from the Hdith
- Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The example of the one who celebrates the Praises of his Lord (Allah) in comparison to the one who does not celebrate the Praises of his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one.” [¹⁷]
Praising Allah itself is a form of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah Almighty).
- Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “There are two expressions which are very easy for the tongue to say, but they are very heavy in the balance and are very dear to The Beneficent (Allah), and they are, ‘Subhan Allah Al-`Azim and ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi.'” [¹⁸]
- Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever says, ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,’ one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.” [¹⁹]
- Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.'” [²⁰]
- Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was traveling along the path leading to Mecca when he happened to pass by a mountain called Jumdan. He said: “Proceed on, it is Jumdan, the Mufarradun have gone ahead.” They (the Companions of the Prophet) said: “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), who are the Mufarradun?” He said: “They are those males and females who remember Allah much.” [²¹]
Some additional hadith about dhikr
- Abu Ad-Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that: the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Should I not inform you of the best of your deeds, and the purest of them with your Master, 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: “Of course.” He said, “The remembrance of Allah [Most High].” [Then] Mu’adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “There is nothing that brings more salvation from the punishment of Allah than the remembrance of Allah.” [²²]
- It was narrated from Abdullah bin Busr that a Bedouin said to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): “The laws of Islam are burdensome for me. Tell me of something that I will be able to adhere to.” He said: “Always keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.” [²³]
- Agharr Abi Muslim reported: I bear witness to the fact that both Abu Huraira and Abu Sa’id Khudri were present when Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “The people do not sit but they are surrounded by angels and covered by Mercy, and there descends upon them tranquility as they remember Allah, and Allah makes a mention of them to those who are near Him.” This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu’ba with the same chain of transmitters. [²⁴]
my last thought
I assure you that you will find lots of Hadith other than these in the various books of Hadith where Dhikr is emphasized very significantly. So please do your own research if you want to know more about Dhikr. You can read this post also,The Importance Of Hadith In Human Life
I am concluding today’s blog here. I hope that through this blog, you have been able to benefit at least a little. I have tried my best to ensure that this blog is useful for both you and me. I don’t know how successful I have been. However, if you gain even the slightest benefit from my blog, please pray for me to Almighty Allah. If there are any mistakes in my writing, I hope you will view them with a forgiving eye.
For any errors, please email me at this address: welcome@spreadingwisdom.com
May Allah grant endless blessings to both you and me in this world and the hereafter. Ameen.
For more blog like this, you can visit “My Blog” section.
footnote
- Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:55
- Surah Ta Ha 20:14
- Surah Al-Baqarah 2:152
- Tabari, Commentary of Tabari, 2/37
- Tabari, Commentary of Tabari, 20/165
- Tabari, Commentary of Tabari, 20/157
- Surah Ankabut, 29:42
- Surah Juma’h, 62:10
- Surah Ah’jab, 33:41-42
- Surah Al-Insan 76:25
- Surah Al-A’la 87:15
- Surah Al-Baqarah 2:203
- Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28
- Surah An-Nisa’ 4:103
- Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:41
- Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:191
- Sahih Sahih al-Bukhari, 6407 In-Book Reference: Book 80, Hadith 102 USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 8, Book 75, Hadith 416 (deprecated numbering scheme)
- Sahih Sahih al-Bukhari, 6406 In-Book Reference: Book 80, Hadith 101 USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 8, Book 75, Hadith 415 (deprecated numbering scheme)
- Sahih Sahih al-Bukhari, 6405 In-Book Reference: Book 80, Hadith 100 USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 8, Book 75, Hadith 414 (deprecated numbering scheme)
- Sahih Sahih al-Bukhari, 7405 In-Book Reference: Book 97, Hadith 34 USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 9, Book 93, Hadith 502 (deprecated numbering scheme)
- Sahih Sahih Muslim, 2676 In-Book Reference: Book 48, Hadith 4 USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 35, Hadith 6474 (deprecated numbering scheme)
- Hasan (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 3377 In-Book Reference: Book 48, Hadith 8 English Reference: Vol. 6, Book 45, Hadith 3377
- Hasan (Darussalam) Sunan Ibn Majah, 3793 In-Book Reference: Book 33, Hadith 137 English Reference: Vol. 5, Book 33, Hadith 3793
- Sahih Sahih Muslim, 2700 a, b In-Book Reference: Book 48, Hadith 50 USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 35, Hadith 6520 (deprecated numbering scheme)
