ZIKIR REMEMBRANCE ALLAH MOST REWARD SAWAB BEST WAZIFA ZIKIR ALLAH

DHIKR IS THE GREATEST OBLIGATION AND A PERPETUAL DIVINE ORDER
Dhikr of Allah is the most excellent act of Allah’s servants and is stressed over a hundred times in the Holy Qur’an. It is the most praiseworthy work to earn Allah’s pleasure, the most effective weapon to overcome the enemy, and the most deserving of deeds in reward. It is the flag of Islam, the polish of hearts, the essence of the science of faith, the immunization against hypocrisy, the head of worship, and the key of all success.There are no restrictions on the modality, frequency, or timing of dhikr whatsoever. The restrictions on modality pertain to certain specific obligatory acts which are not the issue here, such as Salat. The Shari`a is clear and everyone knows what they have to do. Indeed, the Prophet said that the People of Paradise will only regret one thing: not having made enough dhikr in the world! Are not those who are making up reasons to discourage others from making dhikr afraid of Allah in this tremendous matter?
Allah says in His holy Book: “O Believers, make abundant mention of ALLAH!” (33:41) And He mentions of His servants “Those who remember their Lord standing, and sitting, and lying on their sides” (3:191), in other words at all times of the day and night. He said (3:190-191): “The creation of heaven and earth and the changes of night and day are signs for people who have wisdom: — consider who is described as having wisdom — Those who remember (and recite and call) Allah standing up, sitting, and lying on their sides.” `A’isha said, as narrated by Muslim, that the Prophet mentioned/remembered Allah at all times of the day and night.
The Prophet said: “If your hearts were always in the state that they are in during dhikr, the angels would come to see you to the point that they would greet you in the middle of the road.” Muslim narrated it. Imam Nawawi in his Sharh sahih muslim commented on this hadith saying: “This kind of sight is shown to someone who persists in meditation (muraqaba), reflection (fikr), and anticipation (iqbal) of the next world.”
Mu`adh ibn Jabal said that the Prophet also said: “The People of Paradise will not regret except one thing alone: the hour that passed them by and in which they made no remembrance of Allah.” Narrated by Bayhaqi in Shu`ab al-iman (1:392 #512-513) and by Tabarani. Haythami in Majma` al-zawa’id (10:74) said that its narrators are all trustworthy (thiqat), while Suyuti declared it hasan in his Jami` al-saghir (#7701).
Allah placed His remembrance above prayer in value by making prayer the means and remembrance the goal. He said:
“Lo! Worship guards one from lewdness and iniquity, but verily, remembrance of Allah is greater/more important.” (29:45)
“He is successful who purifies himself, and remembers the name of his Lord, and so prays.” (87:14-15)
“So establish prayer for My remembrance.” (20:14)

[Mu'az ibn Jabal (R.A.A.) said that the last words I heard from the Rasul of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم were, when I asked him: which deeds are most favored by Allah, he said: "To die and your tongue is moist with zikr of Allah." [Tabarani and others], and El-Bazzar reported it, with good chain, as follows: Tell me of the best deeds that are most favored by Allah (bring nearer to Allah)”.]
وقد أخرج الطبراني وغيره من حديث معاذ بن جبل قال آخر كلام فارقت عليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن قلت له: أي الأعمال أحب إلى الله، قال: “أن تموت ولسانك رطب من ذكر الله” ورواه البزار بإسناد حسن بلفظ “أخبرني بأفضل الأعمال وأقربها إلى الله
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“Would you like me to inform you of which deed of yours is of the highest benefit, which is the purest at the sight of Allah, and which will increase your degrees the most, and which is more beneficial for you than giving away gold and silver, and than encountering your enemies on battlefields and cutting off their necks and they cut off yours in the name of Allah?
That is zikr of Allah, the highest.”
[Abu Darda'a (r.a.) narrated that RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "May I tell you what is the best of your deeds, which is the purest in the estimation of your King, the deed which is the highest and noblest among your deeds, and is better for you than spending the gold and silver, and is better for you than encountering your enemies and cut off their necks and they cut off yours (i.e. you meet them in jihad)". The Companions said: O Rasul of Allah do tell us. The RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "It is the zikr of Allah, the Most High". (Reported by Tirmidhi and El-Hakim and said: authentic; and by Ahmed with a good chain). And, imam Malik added in his Muwata'a "Ziad ibn Abi Ziad, and Abu Abdurrahman Mu'adh ibn Jabal, both narrated: "no deed is done by the son of Adam more calculated to save him from punishment of Allah than zikr of Allah".]
وعن أبى الدرداء رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “ألا أنبئكم بخير أعمالكم وأزكاها عند مليككم وأرفعها في درجاتكم وخير لكم من إنفاق الذهب والورق وخير لكم من أن تلقوا عدوكم فتضربوا أعناقهم ويضربوا أعناقك” قالوا بلى، قال: “ذكر الله تعالى”. رواه الترمذي والحاكم وقال إسناده صحيح، ورواه أحمد بإسناد حسن. وزاد فى موطأ مالك قوله” قال زياد بن أبي زياد وقال أبو عبد الرحمن معاذ بن جبل ما عمل بن آدم من عمل أنجى له من عذاب الله من ذكر الله
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“No deed can save you from the punishment of Allah more than zikr of Allah.”
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When asked “Which servant’s degree is of the highest merit at the sight of Allah on the Day of Judgment?” he replied:
“The ones who do zikr of Allah the most!”
When asked, “What about the degree of the veteran who fights in the Name of Allah?”
He replied:
“Even if he fights with infidels and polytheists until his sword shatters and is covered in blood, certainly the degree of the ones who practice zikr of Allah is of still higher merit”.
[Mu`âdh bin Jabal (R.A.A.) narrated that, the Rasul of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "The son of Adam does nothing more calculated to rescue (save) him from punishment of Allah than zikr of Allah." They said: "O Rasul of Allah is it greater than jihad in the cause of Allah?" He replied: "It is indeed more than jihad in the cause of Allah, even if you strike with your sword until it breaks, then you strike with it until it breaks. He repeated it three times."]
وعن معاذ قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما عمل بن آدم من عمل أنجى له من النار من ذكر الله عز وجل قالوا يا رسول الله ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله قال ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله إلا أن تضرب بسيفك حتى ينقطع ثم تضرب به حتى ينقطع قالها ثلاثا
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“It is only by practicing zikr of Allah that a servant may be safeguarded from Satan.”
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“Of all the things you possess, a tongue which practices zikr of Allah, a heart full of gratitude and a life partner who supports your faith are of the highest merit.”
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“The example of people who do zikr of Allah and who don’t is like people who are alive and dead!”
[Abu Musa (r.a.) narrated that the RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "The example of the one who do zikr his Rabb (compared) to the one who does not zikr his Rabb, is like that of a living creature to a dead one". (Agreed upon)].
عن أبى موسى رضي الله عنه قال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم مثل الذي يذكر ربه والذي لا يذكر ربه مثل الحي والميت. متفق عليه
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“Practice zikr of Allah so much so that people should start to question your madness.”
[Abu Saeed El-Khudari narrated that the Rasul of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "indulge in (do as much of) zikr of Allah until they say (he is) mad." (Ahmed, Ibn Habban and El-Hakim who said: authentic chain)].
وعن أبى سعيد الخدرى عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “أكثروا ذكر الله حتى يقولوا مجنون” رواه أحمد وابن حبان في صحيحه والحاكم وقال صحيحة الإسناد
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“Practice zikr of Allah so much so that the hypocrites (munafiqun) should think you are doing it to show off.”
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“The mufarridun have surpassed all.” They asked, “Who are the mufarridun, Rasul of Allah?” He replied, “Those men and women who are devoted to do zikr of Allah abundantly. Zikr puts off their burdens, so that they will come light-footed (agile) in the hereafter.”
[Abu Hurayrahh (r.a.) narrated that Rasul of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم on his way to Makkah, passed by a mountain called Jamadan, so he (RasulAllah) said, "Continue walking (marching), this is Jamadan, the Mufarridun have taken lead (over the rest)". The Companions asked: who are the Mufarridun? He answered, "The men who remember Allah much and the women who do zikr of Allah much". [Muslim].
And, Imam Ahmed reported the Hadith as follows: “… the Companions asked: who are the Mufarridun? He said (RasulAllah) those who debilitate (wear-out) in the zikr of Allah.” And, Tirmidhi reported it as follows: “… who are the Mufarridun? He said those who infatuate with the zikr of Allah; as the zikr puts off their burdens, so that they will come light-footed (agile) in the hereafter.”]
وعن أبى هريرة: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسير في طريق مكة فمر على جبل يقال له جمدان فقال سيروا هذا جمدان سبق المفردون قالوا وما المفردون يا رسول الله، قال الذاكرون الله كثيرا والذاكرات. رواه مسلم. وفى رواية أحمد”…قالوا وما المفردون؟ قال: الذين يهترون في ذكر الله”. وفى رواية الترمذي “…وما المفردون؟ قال المستهترون في ذكر الله، يضع الذكر عنهم أثقالهم فيأتون يوم القيامة خفافا”
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“Satan has his mouth on the hearts of the sons of Adam. When they do zikr of Allah, he moves away. When they stop the zikr due to absence of mind, he swallows their hearts!”
This hadith involves a simile meaning that as a person practices zikr of Allah, the jinn stay away from him and they cannot cloud his judgment by inducing misgivings in his mind; but when he stops zikr, the jinn can exert influence on his mind very easily and control him as they like.
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“It is the highest merit of all the things that Allah inspires his servants to do zikr”.
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“No charitable deed is more meritorious than practicing zikr of Allah.”
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“The people of heaven will not be upset for anything except for the times they spent on Earth without doing zikr.”
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“Whoever does not practice zikr of Allah very much will get distant from faith.”
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“People will feel disappointment on the Doomsday due to every moment they lived without practicing the zikr of Allah.”
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“If a group of people gathers for a meeting, and they leave this meeting without ever doing zikr of Allah, that meeting turns out to be a reason of disappointment for them on the Doomsday.”
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“Whoever practices zikr of Allah will be distant from hypocrisy!”
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Many other hadithes of RasulAllah (peace be upon him) like the ones above, provide us big warnings regarding the practice of zikr.
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Abu Huraira R.A narrated that Rasool Allah said, “Allah Tabaraka wa Ta’ala says when a person moves his lips for Zikr of Allah, I am with him. “ (Bukhari)
Abu Huraira R.A narrated that Rasool Allah said, “Allah Tabaraka wa Ta’ala says I am closer to my slave than his supposition of which he keeps of me. And when he/her does Zikr of Allah, I am with him/her. If he does Zikr in his heart, I do his Zikr near MY proximity (closeness) and if he does Zikr in a gathering, I mention him in a gathering Afdhal (better) than it. (Bukhari)
Abu Musa Ash’ari R.A narrated that Rasool Allah said, “He/She who does Zikr of Allah and he/she who doesn’t, their example is of like an alive and a dead. (Bukhari)
Abdullah Bin Abbas narrated that Rasool Allah said, “The Shaitan sticks to the heart of the child of Adam. When he does Zikr of Allah, he (the Shaitan) runs away from him. And when the child of Adam becomes careless from the Zikr of Allah, the Shaitan begins to put was-wasah (evil suggestions) into his heart. (Bukhari)
Abu Huraira R.A said that Rasool Allah said, “The angels look for those who do Zikr of Allah on the paths. When they find those who are doing Zikr of Allah then they call each other, “Come, your desired has been found.” Then those angels cover those are doing Zikr of Allah up to the skies of this world with their wings. And Allah Rabbul Izzat says about them to those angels “What are my slave doing?” Though Allah knows more than those angels. The angels say, “Those people are doing your Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, and Tamjeed.” Rab Ta’ala says, “Have they seen me?” The angels say, “We swear by your pure Entity, they have not seen you.” Rab Ta’ala says to them, “If they had seen me then what would be their state?” The angels say, “If they could’ve seen you then they would do your Tamjeed and your Tasbeeh even more.”
Rab Ta’ala says, “What slaves are asking from me?” The angels say, “They are asking for Jannat from you.” Rab Ta’ala says, “Have they seen Jannat?” The angels say, “We swear by Your Pure Entity, they have not seen Jannat.” Rab Ta’ala says, “If they had seen Jannat then what would be their state?” The angels say, “If these people had seen jannat then their greed, desire, and inclination for it would increase. Rab Ta’ala says, “What else are they doing?” The angels say, “They are seeking refuge.” Rab Ta’ala says, “From what are they seeking refuge?” The angels say, “They are seeking refuge from Hell.” Rab Ta’ala says, “Have they seen Hell?” The angels say, “Oh Rab, we swear by Your Pure Entity, they have not seen it.” Rab Ta’ala, “If they had seen it then what would be their state?” The angels say, “If they had seen it then they would run even further away from it and fear it even more.
Rab Ta’ala says, “angels, Be witnesses that I have forgiven them.” An angel says, “There is one person amongst them who is not part of those who do Zikr, he is there for some necessity of his/her.” Rab Ta’ala says, “These are such people that even those sitting among them are not deprived.” (Bukhari)

QURANIC VERSES RELATING ZIKR
1. ‘Therefore remember Me, I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and reject not Me.’
2. Remember thy Lord much, and praise Him in the early hours of night and morning.
3. (Talking of the wise men these are) such as remember Allah(swt), standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, and say, (after deliberation) “Our Lord! Thou has not created this in vain. Glory be to Thee! Preserve us from the doom of Fire.”
4. When ye have performed the act of Salaat, remember Allah(swt), , standing, sitting and reclining (We should remember him in all circumstances)
5. Send not away those who call their Lord at morning and evening, seeking His countenance (Pleasure)
6. And call upon Him, making your devotion purely for Him (only)
7. And do thou remember thy Lord within thyself humbly and with awe, below thy breath, at morn and evening. And be thou not of the neglectful.
8. And guideth unto Himself all who turn to Him in penitence; who have believed and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah(swt), . Verily in the remembrance of Allah(swt), do hearts rest content!
9. Lo! I, even I, am Allah. There is no God save Me. So serve me and establish Salaat for My remembrance. Lo! The Hour is surely coming. But I will keep it hidden, that every soul may be rewarded for that which it striven to achieve.
10. (While talking to the unbeliever on the Day of Judgement, they will be asked whether they remember). Lo! There was a party of My servants who said, “Our Lord! We believe therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, for Thou art best of all who show mercy.”
11. But verily, remembrance of Allah (swt), is the most important.
12. (Those) who forsake their beds to call upon their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of what We have bestowed on them. No soul knoweth what joy is kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.
Note: it is mentioned in a hadith that one who prays to Allah(swt), in the last portion of the night gains acceptance of Allah.(swt), If possible, you should remember Allah(swt), at this hour.
13. Verily in the messenger of Allah (swt), ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah(swt), and the Last Day and remembreth Allah(swt), much.
14. (while talking of the virtues of the believers) And men who remember Allah(swt), much and women who remember; Allah(swt), hath prepared for them His forgiveness and a vast reward.
15. O ye who believe! Remember Allah(swt), with much remembrance. And glorify Him morning and evening.
16. Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah.(swt), Such are clearly in error
17. Allah (swt), hath (now) revealed the most beautiful message of the Qu’ran, a Scripture consistent with itself, repeating (its teaching in various aspects). Whereat doth tremble the skins of those who fear their Lord, so that their flesh and their hearts soften to Allah’s(swt), remembrance. Such is Allah’s (swt), guidance, wherewith be guideth whom He will.
18. And he whose sight is dim to the remembrance of the Beneficent, We assign unto him a devil who becometh his comrade

VIRTUES OF ZIKR
Hadith 1
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallaho anho) narrated that Rasulullah (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) has said, “Almighty Allah says, I treat my slave (man) according to his expectations from Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart; if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a better and nobler gathering (i.e. of angels). If he comes closer to Me by one span, I go towards him a cubit’s length, if he comes towards Me by a cubit’s length, I go towards him an arm’s length, and if he walks towards Me, I run unto him.”
Note: There are several points elaborated in this Hadith. The first point is that Allah deals with a man according to his expectations from Him. One should therefore always be hopeful of the mercy and benevolence of Almighty Allah and never be despondent of His blessings. Certainly, we are extremely sinful and justly deserve punishment on account of our evil deeds, yet in no case should we feel despondent of the mercy of Allah, as He may perhaps totally forgive us.
“Lo! Allah forgiveth not if a partner be ascribed unto Him and forgiveth all save that to whom He will.”
But Almighty Allah may or may not forgive; that is why the Ulama say that true belief lies in between hope (of forgiveness of Allah) and fear (of His wrath). The Holy Prophet (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) once visited a young Sahabi, who was breathing his last, and asked him how he was feeling. He replied, “O! Messenger of Allah, I am hopeful of the mercy of Allah, and yet I am afraid of my sins.” Thereupon the Holy Prophet (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) said “When the heart of a believer is filled with these two feelings of hope and fear, Almighty Allah fulfils his hope and saves him from what he is afraid of.”
It is mentioned in one Hadith that a believer thinks of his sin, as if he is sitting under a huge rock that is threatening to fall on him, while for a transgressor his sin is no more than a fly which is easily scared off, i.e., he takes his sins very lightly. In short, one should be appropriately afraid of ones sins, and at the same time remain hopeful of Allah’s mercy.
Hadhrat Mu’aaz (Radhiyallaho anho) died of the plague and, in the moments of death’s agony, he fainted many times. Whenever he regained consciousness for a moment, he would say, “Oh Allah! Thou knowest that I love Thee. By Thy Honour and Glory, Thou knowest this very well.” Just before breathing his last, he said, “0 Death, you are a welcome guest but have come at a time when there is nothing in the house to eat.” Then he said, “0 Allah! Thou knowest very well that I always feared Thee, and today I die hopeful of Thy forgiveness. 0 Allah! I enjoyed life, not in digging canals and planting gardens, but in remaining thirsty in the hot weather, in undergoing hardships for the sake of Islaam, and in taking part in the gatherings engaged in zikr under the supervision of the Ulama.”
Some Ulama have written that the fulfillment of expectations promised by Almighty Allah in the aforesaid Hadith is in its most general sense. It carries assurance not only in respect of forgiveness but also in respect of prayers, health, wealth and safety. For instance when a person prays to Allah and sincerely believes that Allah shall accept his prayer, then his prayer is actually accepted, but if he has doubt (that his prayer would not be accepted], it is not accepted. Thus, in another Hadith it is stated that the prayer of a person is granted so long as he does not say that his prayer is not granted. The same is true in the case of all blessings relating to health, prosperity, etc.
According to one Hadith, if a destitute person discloses his hunger to everybody, he is not relieved of his poverty, but if he shows submission to Gracious Allah, his condition may soon change for the better. However, hoping for the better from Almighty Allah is one thing, and being over-confident of His help and forgiveness is another thing. Almighty Allah has warned us against such an attitude in several verses of the Holy Qur’an e.g.
“Let not the deceiver (the Satan) beguile you in regard to Allah” i.e. one should not be misled by the devil to commit sins just because Allah is the most Merciful and the Forgiver”.
There is another verse,
“Hath he knowledge of the Unseen, or hath he made a pact with the Beneficent. No, never.”
The second point in this Hadith is “Whenever a slave of mine remembers Me, I am with him.” In another Hadith, it is stated, “So long as one’s lips move in My remembrance I remain with him” i.e. Almighty Allah bestows His special care and mercy on him during all this time.
The third point is that Almighty Allah mentions him with a favour to the angels, which signifies the value of zikr. Firstly, this is because Allah created man such that inherently he is liable to be good as well as to go astray, as given below in Hadith No. 8. Submission on his part therefore deserves special appreciation. Secondly, at the time of Aadam’s creation, the Angels (who have no instinct for doing evil) could not understand the creation of man and had contended that he would cause blood-shed and trouble in the world, while they are always there to praise and glorify Almighty Allah.
Thirdly, man’s worship of Allah and submission to His will is more commendable than that of the Angels, because he does so on account of his faith in the unseen which, however, is actually seen by the angels. It is to this fact that Allah refers in the Holy Book: “How would man not have worshipped if he had actually seen the Paradise and the Hell.” It is for this reason that Almighty Allah praises the noble deeds of those who worship and glorify Him without seeing Him.
The fourth point contained in the above-mentioned Hadith is that if a man increases his devotion to Almighty Allah, the increase in His mercy and kindness upon him is proportionately far greater. “Getting near” and “running” signify immediate increase in His blessings and mercy. Thus, it is up to a person that, if he wants to enjoy more kindness and favours from Almighty Allah, he should increase his devotion to Him.
The fifth point in the above mentioned Hadith is that the Angels have been stated to be superior to man, while it is commonly known that man is the best creation of Allah. One reason for this has already been explained in the translation (of the Hadith), that the angels are superior because they are innocent and are unable to commit sins. Secondly, they are superior because they are better than the majority of men, including even the majority of believers; and yet some selected Believers like the Prophets (Alaihimus salaam) are superior to the angels.

Dhikr – Remembrance of God
Dhikr is the means by which Stations yield their fruit, until the seeker reaches the Divine Presence. On the journey to the Divine Presence the seed of remembrance is planted in the heart and nourished with the water of praise and the food of glorification, until the tree of dhikr becomes deeply rooted and bears its fruit. It is the power of all journeying and the foundation of all success. It is the reviver from the sleep of heedlessness, the bridge to the One remembered.
The shaikhs strive to remember their Lord with every breath, as the angels are always in the state of dhikr, praising Allah. One of our shaikhs said, “I remembered You because I forgot You for a moment, and the easiest way for me is to remember You on my tongue.” If the seeker will mention his Lord in every moment, he will find peace and satisfaction in his heart, he will uplift his spirit and his soul, and he will sit in the Presence of his Lord. The Prophet (s) said in an authentic hadith mentioned in Ahmad’s Musnad, “The people of Dhikr are the people of My presence.” So the gnostic is the one who keeps the dhikr in his heart, and leaves behind the attachments of the lower worldly life.
Mention of Dhikr in the Qur’an
Dhikr is mentioned in many places in the Holy Qur’an, and in most verses, what was meant by the word dhikr is tasbih, glorifying; takbir, exalting; tahmid, praising; and praising and praying upon the Prophet (s).
Allah said in Surat al-Baqara, 152: “Remember Me and I will remember you.” [2:152]
He said in Surat ali cImran, 41, “…and remember your Lord much and glorify Him in the evening and in the early morning.” And again, 191, “Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides…” [3:41, 191]
He said in Surat al-Racd, 28, “Those who believe, and whose hearts find their rest in the remembrance of Allah–for, verily, in the remembrance of Allah hearts do find their rest.” [13:28]
And He said in Surat al-Ah zab, 35, “…and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Him…” And again, 41,42, “O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance; and glorify Him morning and evening.” [33: 35, 41-42]
There are many, many other verses of Qur’an mentioning dhikr. Imam Nawawi said in his book, “Futahat ar-Rabbani cala-l- Adhkar an-Nawawiyya,” vol. 1, p. 106-109, “All scholars of Islam have agreed on the acceptance and permissibility of Dhikr by heart and by tongue, for the adult men and women, for children, for the one who has ablution, and for the one without ablution; even for the woman during her menses. Moreover, dhikr is allowed by all scholars in the form of tasbih, tahmid, takbir and praising and praying for the Prophet (s).”
Dhikr polishes the heart and is the source of the Divine breath that revives the dead spirits by filling them with the Blessings of Allah, decorating them with His Attributess, and bringing them from a state of heedlessness to the state of complete wakefulness. If we keep busy with Dhikrullah, happiness and peace will be granted to us. Dhikr is the key to happiness, the key to joy, and the key to Divine Love.
Mention of Dhikr in the Sunnah
According to Bukhari, Abu Musa al-Ashcari related that the Prophet (s) said, “The difference between the one who makes dhikr and the one who doesn’t make dhikr is like the difference between the living and the dead.”
Tirmidhi narrated from Anas (r) that the Prophet (s) said, “If you pass by the Paradises of Heavens stay there.” They asked, “Ya Rasul-Allah, what are the Paradises of Heavens?” He said, “The associations of Dhikr!”
Bukhari narrated in his book from Abu Huraira that the Prophet (s) said, “Allah, Almighty and Exalted, has angels who seek the people of Dhikr. If they find the people of Dhikr they encompass them until they reach the first heaven. And Allah asks his angels, ‘What are my servants doing?’ The angels say, ‘O Allah, they are praising You and glorifying You and they are making Dhikr.’ Allah says, ‘Did they see Me?’ The angels answer, ‘No, they didn’t see You.’ Then Allah asks, ‘How would it be if they were to see Me?’ The angels reply, ‘O Allah, if they were to see You, they would be making more praise of You and more glorification of You and more Dhikr of You.’ And Allah asks ‘What are they asking for?’ The angels say, ‘They are asking for Your Paradise.’ Allah asks, ‘Did they see My Paradise?’ The angels answer, ‘No, Our Lord.’ Allah continues, ‘How would it be if they saw My Paradise?’ The angels reply, ‘They would be more attracted and more eager to reach it.’ Then Allah asks them, ‘Of what are they afraid?’ And the angels say, ‘They are afraid of hellfire.’ and Allah asks, ‘How would it be if they saw my Hellfire?’ and they reply, ‘They would be running more and more away from it and asking more and more protection from it.’ Then Allah said,’ I am making you all My witnesses: that I am forgiving them of all their sins.’ Then one angel asked, ‘O our Lord, there is among these people one who is not from them, he came only to ask for something from one of them.’ Allah said, ‘Those are my beloved ones who are making My Dhikr. Anyone who comes into their circle will be forgiven, and I am forgiving him.’”
In Bukhari and Muslim it is narrated from Abu Huraira that the Prophet (s) said, “As my servant thinks about Me so will I be for him. I am with him if he will remember Me. If he calls on Me in himself I will call him in Myself, and if he calls on Me in a group of people, I mention him in a better group in My presence. If he approaches Me one handspan, I will approach him one arm’s length; if he approaches Me one arm’s length, I will approach him by a cubit; if he comes to Me walking, I will come to him running.”
Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah narrated on the authority of Abi Darda that the Prophet said, “Do you want me to tell you of your best deeds, and the most honored and praised and sanctified to Your Lord, and the highest in its reward; better than spending gold and better than meeting your enemy and cutting their necks in the jihad?” They said, “Yes, Ya Rasulallah.” He said, “Dhikrullah.”
The Prophet (s) said, “Everything has its polish and the polish of hearts is dhikrullah.”
Mu’adh bin Jabal (r) said, “Nothing saves you from Allah’s punishment except Dhikrullah.”
There are many, many other hadith about the benefits and blessings of Dhikr such that it is impossible to quote all of them here.
From the Sayings of Imams and Scholars about Dhikr
Ibn cAbbas (r) said “Allah, Almighty and Exalted, put a limit on all the obligations that He ordered human beings except for Dhikr. For it there is no limit.”
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya said in his book, Al-Wabil as-Sa’ib, p. 52, “There is no doubt that the heart oxidizes, just as copper and silver oxidize. Its polishing is the dhikr, which will make it like a white mirror. The oxidation of the heart is due to heedlessness and sin. Its polishing is by means of two actions: repentance and dhikr. If someone’s heart is cloudy, the reflections of images will be unclear, he will see falsehood as truth and truth in the image of falsehood (batil). When there is too much oxidization on the heart, the heart will be darkened, and in the darkness the images of the Truth and Reality never appear. The best way to polish it is through Dhikrullah.”
Ibn cAta’illah as-Sakandari said, “By Dhikr you leave behind heedlessness and forgetfulness, and you keep your heart Present with Allah, Almighty and Exalted. The best way to approach His Presence is by reciting the name ‘Allah,’ in the heart or on the tongue, or by reciting any of His Names.” [Miftah al-Falah, p. 4]
Abul Qasim al-Qushayri said, “Dhikr is the strongest support in the way of Allah, ‘Azza wa Jall. No one can reach the Divine Presence except by continuing to recite Dhikr.” [Risalat al-Qushayriyya]
Mulay al-cArabi ad-Darqawi said, “Do not say, ‘I am nothing’; neither say, ‘I am something.’ Do not say: ‘I need such and such a thing’; nor yet: ‘I need nothing.’ But say: ‘Allah,’ and you will see marvels.” [Letters of a Sufi Master]
We see from what has been mentioned that all guides and perfect shaikhs advised the seeker in the Way of Allah to make continuous dhikr in all states of their lives and to keep the company of the people in associations of Dhikr. We see that the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (s) and the scholars are all in accordance on this matter.
The Types of Dhikr
Dhikr can be can be done both silently or aloud. The Prophet (s) encouraged people to do both kinds. Among the scholars of shari’ah and the Sufi shaikhs, some preferred the loud dhikr and some preferred the silent dhikr.
Loud Dhikr
Bukhari narrated that Abu Huraira (r) reported that the Prophet (s) said, “If My servant mentions Me in himself, I will mention him in Myself. If he mentions Me in a group, I will mention him in a group in My presence.” We understand from this hadith that to mention Allah in a group indicates loud dhikr. Some scholars determined from this that using loud dhikr is permitted.
Bukhari narrated in his book of hadith, that Ibn ‘Abbas (r) said, “In the time of the Prophet (s) the people used to raise their voices in Dhikr.”
Bukhari narrated in his book of hadith, that Abu Ma’bad (r), the freed slave of Ibn ‘Abbas (r), said: “Ibn ‘Abbas told me, ‘In the lifetime of the Prophet (s), it was the custom to celebrate Allah’s praises aloud after the obligatory congregational prayers.’” Ibn ‘Abbas (r) continued, “When I heard the Dhikr, I would know that the congregational prayer had ended.”
Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi related that as-Sa’ib (r) preported that the Prophet (s) said, “Jibril came to me and ordered me to order my Companions to raise their voices in takbir.”
It is narrated by Bukhari and Muslim and mentioned by Jalaluddin as-Suyuti, from other collections, that ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (r) said, “I asked the Prophet (s) one time, ‘O Messenger of Allah, guide me to the shortest way to Allah’s Presence, and the easiest way to worship, and the best way for Allah, Almighty and Exalted. The Prophet (s) said, ‘O ‘Ali, you have to be continuously making Dhikrullah, silently and aloud.’ I replied, ‘O Prophet (s), all human beings are making dhikr. Give me something special.’ The Prophet (s) said, ‘O ‘Ali, the best of what I, and all prophets before me, said is, la ilaha illallah. If all the heavens and earth were placed on one side of the balance and la ilaha illallah were placed in the other, la ilaha illallah would be heavier. Judgment Day will never come as long as there are people on this earth saying la ilaha illallah.’ Then I said, ‘How should I recite.’ The Prophet (s) said, ‘Close your eyes and listen to me reciting la ilaha ill-Allah three times. Then you say it three times and I will listen to you.’ Then the Prophet (s) said it and I repeated it in a loud voice.”
In the narration of Imam Ahmad and Tabarani this hadith is continued, describing how the Prophet taught his Companions the dhikr. “‘Ibada bin Samit said that the Prophet (s) said, ‘Is there any stranger among you?’ And we said, ‘No, Ya Rasul-Allah.’ He said, ‘Close the door.’ Then he said, ‘Raise your hand and repeat after me La ilaha illallah’ We raised our hand and said, la ilaha illallah. Then the Prophet (s) said, ‘Praise be to Allah that He sent me to this world with this kalimah, and He ordered me with it, and He promised me the Paradise with it, and He never changes His Promise.’ Then the Prophet (s) said, ‘Be happy! Allah has forgiven you.’”
Jalaladin as-Suyuti mentioned in an article called “Natijat al-Fikr fi Jahri-dh-Dhikr,” the Benefits of Loud Dhikr, twenty-five authentic hadiths which mention doing loud dhikr.
Silent Dhikr
Allah mentioned in Surat al-Acraf, 205, “And remember thy Lord in thy self with humility and fear, and without loudness of speech, in the mornings and evenings; and be not of the neglectful.” [7:205]
Imam Ahmad narrated, “Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet (s) said that Allah says, ‘I am with my servant when he remembers Me and by his remembrance of Me his lips move.” Commenting on this hadith, Imam Nawawi said, “Allah is with the one who remembers Him and calls Him in his heart, and calls Him on his tongue, but we must realize that the dhikr of the heart is more perfect. The rememberer made dhikr of the tongue in order to reflect the occurrence of the dhikr in his heart. When the love of Allah and His Remembrance overwhelms the heart and the spirit, the tongue is moved and the seeker brought near.”
Sheikh Amin al-Kurdi said in The Enlightenment of Hearts (Tanwir al-Qulub) p. 522: “The dhikr by tongue, which combines sounds and letters, is not easy to perform at all times, because buying and selling and other such activities altogether divert one’s attention from such dhikr. The contrary is true of the dhikr by heart, which is named that way in order to signify its freedom from letters and sounds. In that way nothing distracts one from his dhikr, as the poet says:
With the heart remember Allah, secretly from creation, wordlessly and speechlessly.
That remembrance is best of all: out of it flowed the sayings of the saints.
“That is why our Naqshbandi masters have chosen the dhikr of the heart. Moreover, the heart is the place where the Forgiver casts his gaze, and the seat of belief, and the receptacle of secrets, and the source of lights. If it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is unsound, the whole body is unsound, as was made clear for us by the chosen Prophet (s).
“Something that confirms this was narrated on the authority of cA’isha (r): ‘Allah favors dhikr above dhikr seventyfold (meaning, silent dhikr over loud dhikr). On the Day of Resurrection, God will bring back human beings to His account, and the Recording Angels will bring what they have recorded and written, and Allah Almighty will say: See if something that belongs to my servant was left out? The angels will say: We left nothing out concerning what we have learnt and recorded, except that we have assessed it and written it. Allah will say: O my servant, I have something good of yours for which I alone will reward you, it is your hidden remembrance of Me.’ Bayhaqi narrated it.
“Also on the authority of cA’isha: ‘The dhikr not heard by the Recording Angels equals seventy times the one they hear.’ Bayhaqi narrates it.”
Beautiful Dhikr
A collection of various forms of dhikr and tasbih from the Sunnah.
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ – SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah and Praise Him).
Whoever says (the above) at morning and evening time, one hundred times, none shall come on the Day of Resurrection with anything better except someone who has said the same or more.[1]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ – SubhanAllah wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah and Praise Him).
Whoever says (the above) a hundred times during the day, his sins are wiped away, even if they are like the foam of the sea.[2]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ – SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah and Praise Him)
Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Shall I tell you the words that Allah loves the most?” I said: “Yes, tell me, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “The words dearest to Allah are: subhanAllah wa bihamdihi.[3]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ – SubhanAllahi ‘l-`adheem wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah, The Supreme, and Praise Him)
A palm tree is planted for the reciter [of the above] in Paradise.[4]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ الْعَظِيمِ – SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi, Subhan-Allahi ‘l-`adheem (Glory be to Allah, and Praise, Glory be to Allah, the Supreme)
Prophet Muhammad said: “Two words are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, they are loved by the Most Merciful One.”[5]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ – SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)
Whoever recites [the above] one Hundred times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him or a thousand bad deeds are wiped away.[6]
لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ – La Hawla wa la Quwatta illa Billah (There is no Might or Power except with Allah)
[the above is] a treasure from the treasures of Paradise.[7]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ – SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)
The above are mentioned as the four most beloved words to Allah. It does not matter with which one of them is begun.[8]
Abu Sa`id reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Perform the enduring goods deeds (al-baaqiyaat al-SaliHaat) more frequently.” They asked, “What are these enduring good deeds?” The Prophet replied: Takbir [Allahu Akbar], Tahlil [la ilaha illallah], Tasbih [Subhan'Allah], alhamdulillah, and la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.[9]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ – SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)
Prophet Muhammad said: “For me to say (the above) is dearer to me and all that the sun rises upon (ie the whole world).”[10]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ – SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)
(The above) are the good deeds which endure [al-baqiyaatuS-SaliHaat]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ – SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)
Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet said: “During the Night Journey I met Ibrahim (alayhis salam) who said to me: ‘O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Community, and tell them that the Paradise is of pure land, its water is sweet, and its expanse is vast, spacious and even. And its seedlings are SubhanAllah, walhamdulilah, wa la ilaha ilAllah, waAllahu Akbar (the above).’”[11]
الْحَمْدُللّهِ – Alhamdulilah (All Praise is for Allah) – Verily the best supplication is (above).[12]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ – La illaha ilAllah(u) (There is No God But Allah)
The best form of remembrance is (above).[13]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ – La illaha ilAllah(u) (There is No God But Allah)
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said: “When a servant of Allah utters the words la ilaha illallah (there is no God except Allah) sincerely, the doors of heaven open up for these words until they reach the Throne of Allah, so long as its utterer keeps away from the major sins.”[14]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ – La illaha ilAllah(u) (There is No God But Allah)
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said, “Renew your faith.” “How can we renew our faith?” they asked. The Prophet replied: “Say always: la ilaha illallah.”[15]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ – La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy’in Qadeer (There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is Able to do all things)
Whoever says the above ten times, will have the reward for freeing four slaves from the Children of Isma’il .[16]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ – La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy’in Qadeer (There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is Able to do all things)
Whoever says the above one Hundred times, has the reward of freeing ten slaves, a hundred good deeds are recorded for him and a hundred bad deeds are wiped away and he has gained refuge from the devil that day until evening and none shall come with anything better except someone who has done more.[17]
لَآ اِلهَ اِلاَّ اللّهُ وَاحِدًا اَحَدًا صَمَدًا لَّمْ يَتَّخِذْ صَاحِبَةً وَّ لاَ وَلَدًا وَّ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَّوْ كُفُوًا اَحَدٌ – La illaha ilAllahu, Wahidda(n), Ahada(n), Samada(n), lam yatakhidh sahiba(n). Wa la walada, wa la yak(n)ul-lahu kufuwan Ahad (There is no God except Allah, the One and Only, the Eternal, Who has not taken a partner nor a son. And there is none like unto Him)
Whoever says the words above ten times, then 40,000 (forty thousand) good deeds will be recorded for him.[18]
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ – Astaghfirullah al-’Adheemal-ladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilaih (I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Mighty, Whom there is none worthy except Him, the Living, The Eternal, and I repent unto Him)
Whoever says the above words, Allah will forgive him even if he deserted the army’s ranks.[19]
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّى لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَ أَنْتَ ، خَلَقْتَنِى وَ أنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ أنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ ما اسْتَطَعْتُ ، أعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِ مَا صَنَعْت ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَ أبُوءُ بِذَنْبى فَاغْفِرْ لِى فإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ – Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana ‘ala ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu, A’udhu bika min Sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u Laka bini’matika ‘alaiya, wa Abu Laka bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta (O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.)
The above du’a is known as the Sayyid al-Istighfar and is the most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah. Whoever says it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.[20]
If someone implements ten verses of the Qur’an, He/She will not be considerate amongst the negligent on the Day of Judgment.[21]
If someone implements one hundred verses of the Qur’an, He/She will be considered among the obedient on the Day of Judgment.[22]
If someone implements one thousand verses of the Qur’an, He/She will be amongst the extremely rich on the Day of Judgement.[23]
——————————————————————————–
[1] Sahih Muslim, #4:42071.
[2] Sahih al-Bukhari; #7:168, Sahih Muslim; #4:2071.
[3] Muslim and at-Tirmidhi.
[4] at-Tirmidhi; 5:511, al-Hakim.
[5] Sahih al-Bukhari; #7:67, Sahih Muslim, #4:2071.
[6] Sahih Muslim; #4:2073.
[7] Sahih al-Bukhari; al-Fath al-Bari #11:213, Sahih Muslim #4:2076.
[8] Sahih Muslim; #3:1685.
[9] an-Nasa’i and Hakim, who said its chain is sahih.
[10] Sahih Muslim; #4:2072.
[11] at-Tirmidhi and Tabarani whose version adds: “There is no power nor strength save through Allah”.
[12] Sahih Muslim; #4:2073.
[13] Sahih Muslim; #4:2073.
[14] at-Tirmidhi, who says it is hasan gharib. al-Mundhiri included in al-Targhib #2:414.
[15] Ahmad with a fair chain of authorities.
[16] Sahih al-Bukhari; 7:67, Sahih Muslim; #4:2071.
[17] Sahih al-Bukhari; #4:95, Sahih Muslim; #4:2071.
[18] Ahmad.
[19] Abu Dawud 2/85, at-Tirmidhi 5/569, Al-Hakim who declared it authentic and adh-Dhahabi agreed with him 1/511.
[20] Sahih al-Bukhari 8, 75 #318.
[21] Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban – sahih.
[22] Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban – sahih.
[23] Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban – sahih.
QURANIC VERSES RELATING ZIKR
1. ‘Therefore remember Me, I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and reject not Me.’
2. When (during the Hajj) ye pass on in the multitude from ‘Arafaat’, remember Allah by the sacred monument. Remember Him as He hath guided you, although before this ye of those gone astray.
3. And when ye have completed your Hajj rites, then remember Allah as ye remember your fathers, or with a more lively remembrance. There are men who say, “Our Lord! Give unto us, your bounties in this world,” but they will have no portion in the Hereafter”
There are men (also) who say, “Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire.” For them, there is in store a goodly portion (in both worlds) out of that which they have earned. Allah is swift at reckoning.”
It is related in a hadith that the ‘Duaa’ of three persons is not rejected, rather it is surely accepted. (1) He who remembers Allah profusely (2) Wronged person (3) Ruler who avoids tyranny.
1. (During the Hajj) remember Allah all through the appointed days.
2. Remember thy Lord much, and praise Him in the early hours of night and morning.
3. (Talking of the wise men these are) such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, and say, (after deliberation) “Our Lord! Thou has not created this in vain. Glory be to Thee! Preserve us from the doom of Fire.”
4. When ye have performed the act of Salaat, remember Allah, standing, sitting and reclining (We should remember him in all circumstances)
5. (The Hypocrites) when they stand up to worship, they perform it languidly and to be seen by men, and are mindful of Allah but little.
6. Satan seeketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drink and games of chance, and to turn you from remembrance of Allah, and from His worship. Will ye then leave off (these bad habits)?
7. Send not away those who call their Lord at morning and evening, seeking His countenance (Pleasure)
8. And call upon Him, making your devotion purely for Him (only)
9. Call upon your Lord humbly and in secret. Lo! He loveth not transgressors. Work not confusion in the Earth after the fair ordering thereof, and call on Him in fear and hope. Lo! The mercy of Allah is nigh unto the good.
10. Allah’s are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them.
11. And do thou remember thy Lord within thyself humbly and with awe, below thy breath, at morn and evening. And be thou not of the neglectful.
12. “They only are the (true) believers whose hearts feel a tremor when Allah is mentioned, and when the revelations of Allah are recited unto them, they find their faith strengthened, and who trust in their Lord. Thereafter mentioning the observance of Salaat by them it is stated. Such in truth are the believers they shall enjoy dignified positions with their Lord and blessed with His forgiveness and generous sustenance.”
13. And guideth unto Himself all who turn to Him in penitence; who have believed and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts rest content!
14. Say (unto mankind): Call upon Allah, or Call upon the Beneficent, by whatever name you call upon him, it is well. His are the most beautiful names.
15. And remember thy Lord when thou forgettest.
16. Restrain thyself along with those who call upon their Lord at morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and let not thin eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp of this worldly life; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who followeth his own lust and whose case has gone beyond all bounds.
17. On that day, We shall present Hell to the disbelievers, plain to view; those whose eyes had been under a veil from remembrance of Me.
18. A mention of the mercy of thy Lord unto His servant Zakariyya; when he cried unto his Lord a cry in secret.
19. And I shall pray unto my Lord. It may be that (And I have every hope), with prayer unto my Lord, I shall not be unblest.
20. Lo! I, even I, am Allah. There is no God save Me. So serve me and establish Salaat for My remembrance. Lo! The Hour is surely coming. But I will keep it hidden, that every soul may be rewarded for that which it striven to achieve.
21. And be not faint in remembrance of Me. (This is a piece of advice for Prophet Moses and Haroon (Alayhis Salam).
22. And (mention) Noah (Alayhis Salam) when he cried of old; We heard his prayer. (before times of Ibrahim (Alayhis Salam)
23. And (mention) Ayub (Alayhis salam) when he cried unto his Lord, “Lo! Adversity afflicteth me, and Thou are Most Merciful of all who show mercy.
24. And Zan-Nun Younus (Alayhis Salam), when he went off in anger (displeased with his community) and deemed that We had no power over him; but he cried out in the darkness (of the whale) saying “There is no God save Thee; be Thou glorified! Lo! I have been a wrong-doer
25. And (mention) Zakariah (Alayhis salam) when he cried unto his Lord, “My Lord! Leave me not childless, though Thou art the best of inheritors.”
26. Lo! They (the Prophets mentioned before) used to vie one with the other in good deeds, and they cried unto Us in longing and in fear, and were submissive to Us.
27. And give good tidings to the humble: whose hearts fear when Allah is mentioned.
28. (While talking to the unbeliever on the Day of Judgement, they will be asked whether they remember). Lo! There was a party of My servants who said, “Our Lord! We believe therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, for Thou art best of all who show mercy.”
But ye chose them for a laughing-stock, until this (past time) caused you to forget remembrance of Me, while ye laughed at them. Lo! I have rewarded them this day for as much as they were steadfast; and they verily are the triumphant.
29. (While praising men with perfect faith) Men whom neither merchandise nor sale beguileth from remembrance of Allah and constancy in prayer and paying to the poor their due.
30. But verily, remembrance of Allah is the most important.
31. (Those) who forsake their beds to call upon their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of what We have bestowed on them. No soul knoweth what joy is kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.
Note: it is mentioned in a hadith that one who prays to Allah in the last portion of the night gains acceptance of Allah. If possible, you should remember Allah at this hour.
32. Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day and remembreth Allah much.
33. (while talking of the virtues of the believers) And men who remember Allah much and women who remember; Allah hath prepared for them His forgiveness and a vast reward.
34. O ye who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify Him morning and evening.
35. And Noah (Alayhis Salam) verily prayed unto Us, and We are the best Who grant prayers.
36. Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah. Such are clearly in error
37. Allah hath (now) revealed the most beautiful message of the Qu’ran, a Scripture consistent with itself, repeating (its teaching in various aspects). Whereat doth tremble the skins of those who fear their Lord, so that their flesh and their hearts soften to Allah’s remembrance. Such is Allah’s guidance, wherewith be guideth whom He will.
38. Therefore pray unto Allah, making devotion pure for Him (only), however much the disbelievers may be averse.
39. He is the Living One, there is no Allah save Him. So pray unto Him, making devotion pure for Him (only)
40. And he whose sight is dim to the remembrance of the Beneficent, We assign unto him a devil who becometh his comrade.
41. Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. Thou seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship), seeking bounty from Allah and His acceptance. Their mark is on their foreheads from the traces of prostration. Such is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel-like as sown corn that sendeth forth its shoot and strengtheneth it and riseth firm upon its stalk, delighting the farmers. In the same manner, the Companions of the Prophet (sallallaho alaihe wasallam) were weak in the beginning and then grew in strength day by day, that He may enrage the disbelievers with (the sight of) them. Allah hath promised, unto such of them as believe and do good works, forgiveness and immense reward.

42. Is not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe to submit to Allah’s reminder?
43. (There is a mention of the hypocrites.) The devil hath engrossed them and so hath caused them to forget remembrance of Allah. They are the devil’s party. Lo! Is it not the devil’s party who will be the losers?
44. And when the (Friday) prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah’s bounty, (with the permission to engage yourself in worldly pursuits but even then) and remember Allah much, that ye may be successful.
45. O ye who believe! Let not your wealth nor your children distract you from remembrance of Allah. Those who do so, they are the losers. (These things will not last beyond the grave and Allah’s remembrance will prove useful in the Hereafter.)
46. And Lo! Those who disbelieve would fain disconcert thee with their eyes when they hear the message. ‘The Qur’an and they say, “Lo! He is indeed mad.”
Note: using the eyes in this manner indicates their extreme enmity. Hasan Basri (Rahmatullah alaih) advises blessing on a person, affected by malignant looks, after reciting this verse.
47. And whose turneth away from the remembrance of His Lord; He will thrust him into ever-growing torment.
48. And when the devotee of Allah, Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) stood up in prayer to Him, they crowded on him, almost stifling him. Say (unto them, O Muhammad), I pray unto Allah only, and ascribe to Him no partner.
49. So remember the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to him whole-hearted devotion. (All other attachments should be reversed at that time and devotion to Allah should dominate).
50. Remember the name of thy Lord at morning and evening; and worship Him (a portion) of the night, and glorify Him through long night, in Tahajjud Salaat. Lo! These people who oppose you love the fleeting life, and put behind them (the remembrance of) a grievous day.
51. He is successful who purifieth himself (of evil manners) and remembereth the name of his Lord, so prayeth.

Beautiful dhikr we can make everyday
SubhanAllahi wa BiHamdihi
(glory be to Allah and I praise him)
Whoever says (the above) at morning and evening time, one hundred times, none shall come on the day of resurrection with anything better except someone who has said the same or more.
[muslim]
other authentic narrations also say that the one who repeats the above dhikr 100 times a day, his/her sins will be wiped away, even if they are like the foam of the sea.
[bukhari]
SubhanAllahil Adheem wa biHamdihi
(Glory be to Allah, the supreme, and I praise him)
A palm tree is planted for him in paradise.
[tirmidhi]
SubhanAllah
(Glory be to Allah)
Whoever says the above 100 times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him, and a thousand bad deeds are wiped away.
[Muslim]
SubhanAllah, walHamdullilah, wa La Ilaha Illa Allah, waAllahu akbar.
(Glory be to Allah, All praise is for Allah, there is no God but Allah, Allah is the greatest)
The above are mentioned as the 4 most beloved words to Allah s.w.t.
[Muslim]
The prophet s.a.w said that to say (the above) is dearer to him than all that the sun rises upon (i.e the whole world).
[Muslim]
Alhamdullilah
(All praise is for Allah)
-Verily the best supplication is above.
[Muslim]
La Illaha IllAllah(u)
(There is no God but Allah)
-The best form of rememberance is above
[Muslim]
La Illaha IllAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka Lah, Lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, Wa huwa ‘ala kuli shay’in Qadeer
(there is no God but Allah, who has no partner, his is the dominion, and to him is all praise, and he is able to do all things)
-Whoever says the above 100 times has the reward of freeing 10 slaves, a hundred good deeds are written for him and a hundred bad deeds are wiped away, and he has gained refuge from the devil that day until the evening, and none shall come with anything better except one who has done more.
[Bukhari, Muslim]
Astaghfurillah al-Adheemal-ladhi la illaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilay.
(I seek the forgiveness of Allah the almighty, whom there is none worthy except him, the Living, the Eternal, and I repent unto him)
Whoever says the above, Allah s.w.t will forgive him even if he deserted the army’s ranks.
[Abu Dawud, at-tirmidhi, declared authentic by Al Hakim and Al Dhahabi]
Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana ‘ala ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu, A’udhu bika min Sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u Laka bini’matika ‘alaiya, wa Abu Laka bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta.
(O Allah you are my Lord, there is no God but You, You created me and I am your slave, and i am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with you from all evil I have done. I acknowledge before you all the blessings you have bestowed upon me, and I confess to you all my sins. So I entreat you forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.)
The Prophet s.a.w said “The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is (the above), The Prophet s.a.w added. “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.”
[Bukhari, 75:318]

ISTIGHFAAR ( to seek Forgiveness )
Istighfar is alsi an important type of dhikr. Allah comanded the holy prophet saw to seek forgiveness from him which is called istighfar, he has said :
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّاباً
then glorify the praise of your lord and seek for his forgiveness. surely he is ever lenting. (an Nasr 110:3)
Allah gave the same command to general body of believer by sayin:
وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْراً وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْراً وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“and whatever good you forward for your souls, you shall find itwith Allah better and greater in recompense. and seek forgiveness of Allah. Surely Allah is forgiving, merciful. ( al Muzammil 73:20)
According to Hazrat Abu Sa’id Khudri R.a the prophet Saw said : (when he wasthrown out) the devil said: by your might, my lord, i shall continues to lead your servants astray as long as ther souls are intheir bodies.”
Allah saw said: by my Might, Glory and Exalted station, i shall continue to pardon them as long as they ask my Forgiveness. ( Ahmed)
the holy Prophey saw has said: Whoever recites even if he has abscnded from jihad, he will be forgiven
ASTAGHFIRULLAH ALLAZI LAAILAAHA ILLAA HUWAL HAYYUL QAYYUMU WA ATOOBU ILAIHI
” i seek the forgiveness of Allah, besideswhom there is no god (is is he alone), the ever-living, the eternal and I repent to him.”
According to a hadith if anyone cherishes that his deed of records make him happy he must make a frequenr recital of istighfar.
the words of Istighfar are as given above but if soneone does not remember them he may say simply frequently:
ALLAHUMMAGHFIRLEE ( My lord Forgive me)
The Prophet said, “Nobody who enters Paradise likes to go back to the world even if he got everything on the earth, except a Mujahid who wishes to return to the world so that he may be martyred ten times because of the dignity he receives (from Allah).”

VIRTUES OF ZIKR
A Sahabi once said, “0, Rasulullah, (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM), I know that the commandments of Sharee-at are many, but of these tell me the one that I may practice assiduously throughout my life.” The Prophet, (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM), replied, “Keep your tongue always moist (i.e. busy) with the zikr of Allah.” According to another Hadith, Harat Mu’aaz (Radhiyal-laho anho) has said, “Once at the time of my departure from Rasulullah (Sallallahu ALAIHI WASALLAM), I asked him to advise me of that action which is most pleasing to Almighty Allah: whereupon he replied, “At the time of your death, your tongue should be busy with zikr of Almighty Allah.”
Note: By “my departure”, Hadhrat Mu’aaz (Radhiyal-laho anho) refers to the occasion when he was appointed by the Holy Prophet (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) as the Governor of Yemen and sent there for teaching and propagating Islaam. It was at the time of that farewell that Rasulullah (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) had given him some parting instructions.
By saying that “the commandments of Sharee-at are many”, the Sahabi had meant that although observance of every commandment is imperative, to specialize and attain perfection in each and every one is difficult; and so he wanted that Rasulullah (SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM), may recommend him something of over-riding importance which he might hold fast to, and practice at all times and in all conditions of sitting, standing or walking.
According to another Hadith, a person who possesses the following four things is truly blessed, from the worldly as well as spiritual point of view:—
1. A tongue ever absorbed in the zikr of Almighty Allah.
2. A heart filled with gratitude of Allah.
3. A body capable of undergoing hardships.
4. A wife who does not betray her husband’s trust in respect of her chastity and his wealth.
The phrase “moist tongue” according to some Ulama means excessive utterance (of zikr) and, idiomatically, it is used to convey excessive glorification and praise. But in my (the author’s) humble opinion it can have another meaning as well. It is always very sweet and pleasant to talk of one’s beloved, as is the common feeling and experience of every lover. On this basis, the phrase “moist tongue” would, therefore mean that one should glorify with love the name of Almighty Allah, so as to feel love’s sweetness in the mouth.
I have observed many times that when some of my religious elders do zikr aloud, the flavour of the sweetness enjoyed by them is so transmitted to the listeners that their mouths also feel the sweetness and they share the ecstasy likewise. But this phenomenon is possible only where there is a genuine yearning for zikr, and the tongue is accustomed to excessive zikr. It is stated in one Hadith that the proof of one’s love for Almighty Allah lies in one’s love for the zikr of Allah, and in the same way lack of zikr betrays lack of attachment with Almighty Allah.
Hadhrat Abu Darda (Radhiyallaho anho) said that those who keep their tongues wet with the zikr of Allah, will enter paradise smiling.
The Prophet said, “Nobody who enters Paradise likes to go back to the world even if he got everything on the earth, except a Mujahid who wishes to return to the world so that he may be martyred ten times because of the dignity he receives (from Allah).”

A collection of various dhikrs from the sunnah.
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ
SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi
(Glory be to Allah and I Praise Him)
Whoever says (the above) at morning and evening time, one hundred times, none shall come on the Day of Resurrection with anything better except someone who has said the same or more
[Muslim; 4:42071]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ
SubhanAllah wa biHamdihi
(Glory be to Allah and I Praise Him)
a hundred times during the day, his sins are wiped away, even if they are like the foam of the sea
[Sahih al-Bukhari; 7:168, Muslim; 4:2071]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ
SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi
(Glory be to Allah and I Praise Him)
Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Shall I tell you the words that Allah loves the most?” I said: “Yes, tell me, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “The words dearest to Allah are: subhanAllah wa bihamdihi
[Muslim and at-Tirmidhi]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ
SubhanAllahil adheem wa biHamdihi
(Glory be to Allah, The Supreme, and I Praise Him)
a palm tree is planted for him in Paradise
[at-Tirmidhi; 5:511, al-Hakim]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ الْعَظِيمِ
SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi, SubhanAllahil adheem
(Glory be to Allah, and Praise, Glory be to Allah, the Supreme)
Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: “Two words are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, they are loved by the Most Merciful One”
[Sahih al-Bukhari; 7:67, Muslim; 4:2071]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ
SubhanAllah
(Glory be to Allah)
one Hundred times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him or a thousand bad deeds are wiped away
[Muslim; 4:2073]
لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ
La Hawla wa la Quwatta illa Billah
(There is no Might or Power except with Allah)
mentioned in hadith as “a treasure from the treasures of Paradise”
[Sahih al-Bukhari; al-Fath al-Bari; 11:213, Muslim; 4:2076]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ
SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar
(Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)
- The above are mentioned as the four most beloved words to Allah. It doesnt matter which of them is begun with
[Muslim; 3:1685]
Abu Saiid reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Perform the enduring goods deeds (al-baqiyat al-salihat) more frequently.” They asked, “What are these enduring good deeds?” The Prophet replied: Takbir [Allahu Akbar], Tahlil [la ilaha illallah], Tasbih [Subhan'Allah], alhamdu lillah, and la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
[an-Nasa'i and Hakim, who said its chain is sahih]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ
SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar
(Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)
- Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘For me to say (the above) is dearer to me and all that the sun rises upon (ie the whole world)
[Muslim; 4:2072]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ
SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah
(Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)
- The good deeds which endure are (the above)
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ
SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah
(Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)
- AbdAllah ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet said: “During the Night Journey I met Ibrahim (alayhis salam) who said to me: O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Community, and tell them that the Paradise is of pure land, its water is sweet, and its expanse is vast, spacious and even. And its seedlings are SubhanAllah, walhamdulilah, wa la ilaha ilAllah, waAllahu Akbar (the above)
[at-Tirmidhi and Tabarani whose version adds: "There is no power nor strength save through Allah"]
الْحَمْدُللّهِ
Alhamdulilah
(All Praise is for Allah)
- Verily the best supplication is (above).
[Muslim; 4:2073]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ
La illaha ilAllah(u)
(There is No God But Allah)
- The best form of remembrance is (above).
[Muslim; 4:2073]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ
La illaha ilAllah(u)
(There is No God But Allah)
- Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:
“When a servant of Allah utters the words la ilaha illallah (there is no God except Allah) sincerely, the doors of heaven open up for these words until they reach the Throne of Allah, so long as its utterer keeps away from the major sins.
[at-Tirmidhi, who says it is hasan gharib. al-Mundhiri included in al-Targhib 2:414]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ
La illaha ilAllah(u)
(There is No God But Allah)
- Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Renew your faith.” “How can we renew our faith?” they asked. The Prophet replied:
“Say always: la ilaha illallah.”
[Ahmad with a fair chain of authorities]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy’in Qadeer
(There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is ABle to do all things)
- whoever says the above ten times, will have the reward for freeing four slaves from the Children of Isma’il (alayhis salam)
[Sahih al-Bukhari; 7:67, Muslim; 4:2071]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy’in Qadeer
(There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is ABle to do all things)
- whoever says the above one Hundred times, has the reward of freeing ten slaves, a hundred good deeds are recorded for him and a hundred bad deeds are wiped away and he has gained refuge from the devil that day until evening and none shall come with anything better except someone who has done more.
[Sahih al-Bukhari; 4:95, Muslim; 4:2071]
لَآ اِلهَ اِلاَّ اللّهُ وَاحِدًا اَحَدًا صَمَدًا لَّمْ يَتَّخِذْ صَاحِبَةً وَّ لاَ وَلَدًا وَّ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَّوْ كُفُوًا اَحَدٌ
La illaha ilAllahu, Wahidda(n), Ahada(n), Samada(n), lam yatakhidh sahiba(n). Wa la walada, wa la yak(n)ul-lahu kufuwan Ahad
(There is no God except Allah, the One and Only, the Eternal, Who has not taken a partner nor a son. And there is none like unto Him)
Whoever says the words above ten times, then 40,000 (forty thousand) good deeds will be recorded for him
[Ahmad]
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Astaghfirullah al-’Adheemal-ladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilai
(I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Mighty, Whom there is none worthy except Him, the Living, The Eternal, and I repent unto Him)
Whoever says the above words, Allah will forgive him even if he deserted the army’s ranks
[Abu Dawud 2/85, at-Tirmithi 5/569, Al-Hakim who declared it authentic and ath-Thahabi agreed with him 1/511]
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّى لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَ أَنْتَ ، خَلَقْتَنِى وَ أنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ أنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ ما اسْتَطَعْتُ ، أعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِ مَا صَنَعْت ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَ أبُوءُ بِذَنْبى فَاغْفِرْ لِى فإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana ‘ala ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu, A’udhu bika min Sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u Laka bini’matika ‘alaiya, wa Abu Laka bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta
(O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.)
The above du’a is known as the Sayyid al-Istighfar and is the most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah.
Whoever says it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.
[Sahih al-Bukhari 8, 75 #318]
If someone implements ten verses of the Qur’an, He/She will not be considerate amongst the negligent on the Day of Judgment
[Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban - sahih]
If someone implements one hundred verses of the Qur’an, He/She will be considered among the obedient on the Day of Judgment.
[Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban - sahih]
If someone implements one thousand verses of the Qur’an, He/She will be amongst the extremely rich on the Day of Judgement.
[Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban - sahih]
Beautiful Dhikr
A collection of various forms of dhikr and tasbih from the Sunnah.
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ – SubhanAllah wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah and Praise Him).
Whoever says (the above) a hundred times during the day, his sins are wiped away, even if they are like the foam of the sea. [Sahih al-Bukhari; #7:168, Sahih Muslim; #4:2071]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ – SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah and Praise Him)
Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Shall I tell you the words that Allah loves the most?” I said: “Yes, tell me, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “The words dearest to Allah are: subhanAllah wa bihamdihi. [ Muslim and at-Tirmidhi.]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ – SubhanAllahi ‘l-`adheem wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah, The Supreme, and Praise Him)
A palm tree is planted for the reciter [of the above] in Paradise. [at-Tirmidhi; 5:511, al-Hakim]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ الْعَظِيمِ – SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi, Subhan-Allahi ‘l-`adheem (Glory be to Allah, and Praise, Glory be to Allah, the Supreme)
Prophet Muhammad said: “Two words are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, they are loved by the Most Merciful One.” [Sahih al-Bukhari; #7:67, Sahih Muslim, #4:2071]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ – SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)
Whoever recites [the above] one Hundred times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him or a thousand bad deeds are wiped away. [Sahih Muslim; #4:2073.]
لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ – La Hawla wa la Quwatta illa Billah (There is no Might or Power except with Allah)
[the above is] a treasure from the treasures of Paradise. [Sahih al-Bukhari; al-Fath al-Bari #11:213, Sahih Muslim #4:2076]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ – SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)
The above are mentioned as the four most beloved words to Allah. It does not matter with which one of them is begun. [Sahih Muslim; #3:1685]
Abu Sa`id reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Perform the enduring goods deeds (al-baaqiyaat al-SaliHaat) more frequently.” They asked, “What are these enduring good deeds?” The Prophet replied: Takbir [Allahu Akbar], Tahlil [la ilaha illallah], Tasbih [Subhan'Allah], alhamdulillah, and la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ – SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)
Prophet Muhammad said: “For me to say (the above) is dearer to me and all that the sun rises upon (ie the whole world).” [Sahih Muslim; #4:2072]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ – SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)
(The above) are the good deeds which endure [al-baqiyaatuS-SaliHaat]
سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ ، والْحَمْدُللّهِ ، وَ لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ ، وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ – SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)
Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet said: “During the Night Journey I met Ibrahim (alayhis salam) who said to me: ‘O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Community, and tell them that the Paradise is of pure land, its water is sweet, and its expanse is vast, spacious and even. And its seedlings are SubhanAllah, walhamdulilah, wa la ilaha ilAllah, waAllahu Akbar (the above).’” [at-Tirmidhi]
الْحَمْدُللّهِ – Alhamdulilah (All Praise is for Allah) – Verily the best supplication is (above). [Sahih Muslim; #4:2073]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ – La illaha ilAllah(u) (There is No God But Allah)
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said: “When a servant of Allah utters the words la ilaha illallah (there is no God except Allah) sincerely, the doors of heaven open up for these words until they reach the Throne of Allah, so long as its utterer keeps away from the major sins.” [at-Tirmidhi]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ – La illaha ilAllah(u) (There is No God But Allah)
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said, “Renew your faith.” “How can we renew our faith?” they asked. The Prophet replied: “Say always: la ilaha illallah.” [Ahmad]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ – La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy’in Qadeer (There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is Able to do all things)
Whoever says the above ten times, will have the reward for freeing four slaves from the Children of Isma’il . [Sahih al-Bukhari; 7:67, Sahih Muslim; #4:2071]
لا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ – La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy’in Qadeer (There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is Able to do all things)
Whoever says the above one Hundred times, has the reward of freeing ten slaves, a hundred good deeds are recorded for him and a hundred bad deeds are wiped away and he has gained refuge from the devil that day until evening and none shall come with anything better except someone who has done more. [Sahih al-Bukhari; #4:95, Sahih Muslim; #4:2071]
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ – Astaghfirullah al-’Adheemal-ladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilaih (I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Mighty, Whom there is none worthy except Him, the Living, The Eternal, and I repent unto Him)
Whoever says the above words, Allah will forgive him even if he deserted the army’s ranks. [Abu Dawud 2:85, at-Tirmidhi 5:569]
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّى لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَ أَنْتَ ، خَلَقْتَنِى وَ أنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ أنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ ما اسْتَطَعْتُ ، أعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِ مَا صَنَعْت ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَ أبُوءُ بِذَنْبى فَاغْفِرْ لِى فإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ – Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana ‘ala ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu, A’udhu bika min Sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u Laka bini’matika ‘alaiya, wa Abu Laka bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta (O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.)
The above du’a is known as the Sayyid al-Istighfar and is the most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah. Whoever says it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.[Sahih al-Bukhari 8, 75 #318]
If someone implements ten verses of the Qur’an, He/She will not be considerate amongst the negligent on the Day of Judgment. [Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban]
If someone implements one hundred verses of the Qur’an, He/She will be considered among the obedient on the Day of Judgment. [Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban]
If someone implements one thousand verses of the Qur’an, He/She will be amongst the extremely rich on the Day of Judgement. [Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban]


Dhikr ( remembrance of Allah) is the greatest thing in our life and a well
tried excellent method for purification of our heart. It eradicates all diseases
from heart, produces in it the love of Allah and creates the consciousness of His
Greatness; it brings us divine peace and satisfaction. Allah the Almighty Himself
asked us to remember Him as much as possible. Says the Holy Quran:
” O ye who believes remember Allah very often and glorify Him morning
and evening.” (33:41-2)
Another verse says Quran says
” And when Salaat is finished then ye may disperse through the land and
seek of the Bounty of Allah and celebrate the Praises of Allah much and
often; they ye may prosper ( here as well as in the next world.) (62-10)
In another verse the Holy Quran says the Dhikr imparts tranquility and peace to
the mind and the soul.
” Behold in the Remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (13-28)
In a verse, men of Faith have specifically been warned not to forget Dhikr by
getting absorbed in the wealth and the family
” O ye who believe let not your riches or your children divert you from the
Remembrance of Allah if any act thus, the loss is their own.” (63:9)
Allah the Almighty shows His kindness to those who remember Him. He said:
” Then do ye remember Me I will remember you.” (2-152)
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) says:
“Allah says when anyone remembers Me and his lips move in Dhikr I am
by his side.”
In a verse of the Holy Quran mentioning the qualities of pious servants and their
reward, Allah says:
” Men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from
Remembrance of Allah nor from regular Salaat, nor from regular practice
of Zakaat. (24-37)
To quote a few Hadith about Dhikr, the Holy Prophet ( Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
says:
” There is a polish for everything, for the hearts it is Dhikr of Allah.”
He has also said:
” Those who remember Allah and those who do not are like those who are
alive and those who are dead.” (i.e. who remember Allah and celebrate,
His praises are alive and those who do not are dead.)
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) was once asked who would be
the most exalted among the servants of Allah on the Last Day, He (Sallallahu
‘Alaihi Wasallam) replied
” Those who remember Allah, be they men or women.”
The Holy Prophet ( Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once advised one of his
companions.
” Keep your tongue always employed in repeating the name of Allah.”
Negligence towards Dhikr causes more and more retrogression. Those who
close their hearts and tongues to Allah are deprived of all divine virtues, their
hearts get hardened and they – become close associates of the devils. Look what
the Holy Quran says:
” He who turns away from the remembrance of His Lord He will cause him
to undergo a severe Penalty.” (72-17)
In another verse it has been sad:
” If anyone withdraws himself from the Remembrance of Allah Who is
Most Gracious, He will appoint for him an evil one to be intimate
companion to him” ( 43-36)
In another verse it has been said:
” Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against remembering of Allah,
they are manifestly wandering” (39-22)
May Allah save us all form wandering
The highest and the required degree of Dhikr is to acquire such a solemn state of
mind and heart in which we remain continuously full of remembrance of Allah and be never without His thought. The state of permanent and all pervading God’s
consciousness is achieved only through continuously engaging the tongue and
heart in Dhikr and devout servant of Allah no doubt, achieve this state. The daily
five Salaats are no doubt the remembrance of Allah but Dhikr has got a wider
sense. It includes all sorts of the praises, be they with tongue of heart i.e.
Salaats, the recitation of Holy Quran, the other prayers, the repetition His sacred
names and devoted contemplation on the signs of Allah and the like come under
Dhikr.
We are surrounded by evil forces that are trying to deviate us from the right path.
To save ourselves from their grips we must remember Allah in every possible
way. The more we remember Him the more benefited we are. The real Dhiker is
that in whatever profession, state or cirumstances a Muslim may be, he should
do his best to observe the commands of Allah that are intended for such a
situation
” O ye who believe ! Let not your wealth and your children distract you from rembracne of Allah. (63:9)
Thus whoever observes the commandments of Allah applicable to any given time
under all circumstances and observe his responsibilities toward his family and in
other worldly affairs like buying and selling, carries out the Dhikr of Allah even
while engages in them.
The Methods of Dhikr, Remembrance of Allah
There are a number of hadiths which are directly relevent to the methods
of dhikr used by various Sufi turuq. I have grouped them below, under
the titles “Posture is Irrelevent to Dhikr,” “Dhikr in Assembly and in a
Circle,” “Dhikr Saying `La ilaha illa Allah,’” “Dhikr by saying `Allah,’”
and “No Limits to doing Dhikr.”
Posture is Irrelevent to Dhikr
The Qur’an says in meaning:
Lo! In the creation of the Heavens and the earth and in the night and day
are tokens (of His sovereignty) for men of understanding, such as
remember Allah, in standing, sitting, and reclining. [Qur'an 3:190-191]
What this part of the Qur’an establishes is that posture is not important in
performing dhikr – standing, sitting, or reclining. Presumably other
postures are also okay, so criticisms about posture during dhikr is
irrelevent.
Ibn `Umar reported, “The Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, peace be upon him, said, `When you pass by a garden of paradise, avail yourselves of it.’ The Companions
asked, `What are the gardens of Paradise , O Messenger of Allah?” The
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, peace be upon him, replied, `The assemblies of dhikr. There are some angels of Allah who go about looking for such assemblies of dhikr, and when they find them they surround them.’”
[Quoted from Fiqh us-Sunnah compiled by As-Sayyid Sabiq, vol. 4, ch.
6.]
There is also this important hadith about dhikr in general, and dhikr in an
assembly:
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who
said that the Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: Allah the Almighty says:
I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of
Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to
Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention
of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me a hand’s
span, I draw near to him an arm’s length; and if he draws near to Me an
arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. And if he comes to
Me walking, I go to him at speed.
[It was related by al-Bukhari, and also by Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn
Majah. From "Forty Hadith Qudsi," selected and translated by Ezzeddin
Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies (Dar Al-Koran Al-Kareem, Lebanon ,
1980), hadith no. 15.]
Doing Dhikr by saying “La ilaha illa Allah”
One of the ways of doing dhikr is by saying “La ilaha illa Allah.” Here are
some hadiths which mention this….
Hazrat Jabir relates that he heard the Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam having said:
“The best remembrance of Allah is `La ilaha illa Allah.’”
[From Tirmidhi, also related in the Riyadh us-Saliheen of Imam Nawawi]
Another hadith about saying `La ilaha illa Allah’ for dhikr is this….
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said,
“Renew your faith.” “How can we renew our faith?” they asked. The
Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Say always, `La ilaha illa Allah’.”
[From Ahmad, with a sound isnad. Quoted in Fiqh us-Sunnah compiled
by as-Sayyid Sabiq, vol. 4, ch. 6.]
Doing Dhikr by saying “Allah”
Regarding using the names of Allah in dhikr, the hadith I am aware of at
present regarding this topic is the following….
The Prophet said, “The Hour will not arise before `Allah, Allah’ is no
longer said on earth.”
[Sahih Muslim]
No Limits to doing Dhikr
Now, some criticize those on the Sufi path for doing too much dhikr.
However, Ibn Abbas (r.a.) is related as having said there is no limit to
dhikr.
The following quote I took from the book “Fiqh us-Sunnah” by as-Sayyid
Sabiq. The saying of Ibn Abbas goes….
Ali b. Abi Talha relates that Ibn Abbas said, “All obligations imposed
upon man by Allah are clearly marked and one is exempted from them in
the presence of a genuine cause. The only exception is the obligatin of
dhikr. Allah has set no specific limits for it, and under no circumstances
is one allowed to be negligent of it. We are commanded to `remember
Allah standing, sitting, and reclining on your sides,’ [Qur'an 3:191] in the
morning, during the day, at sea or on land, on journey or at home, in
poverty and in prosperity, in sickness or in health, openly and secretly,
and, in fact, at all times throughout one’s life and in all circumstances.”
Dhikr is a very blessed practice, praised in the Qur’an and hadiths.
May Allah help bring us satisfaction in our hearts through remembrance
of Him.
Say: “Truly Allah leaves to stray whom He will, but He guides to Himself
those who turn to Him in penitence — Those who believe, and whose
hearts find satisfaction in the remebrance of Allah, for without doubt in
the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction. [Qur'an 13:27-28]
Dhikr is a form of worship that comes after the ritual Prayer (salah) and reading
Qur’an in importance. While salah has to be performed at certain times and
under certain conditions of purity, dhikr can be made any time, any place. It can
be done by repeating certain formulas to extol and praise Allah, or it can be just
thoughts of Allah in one’s heart.
Islam does not require anyone to torture himself in order to reach a high stage
of spirituality. Nor does he have to shun everything of this world. Rather, one
can be close to Allah (God) by frequently remembering Him with his lips and
heart, even as he is busy with his daily tasks.
Dhikr can also take a more distinct form such as tasbeeh, which is extolling
Allah. This is usually done by counting on the fingers or on prayer beads (called
sibhah) and repeating phrases such as “Subhan Allah” (Allah is Sublime), “Al-
Hamdulillah” (all praise to Allah) and “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greatest) thirtythree
times each. Then the Muslim says, “Laa ilaha illa Allah. Wahdhu. La
Shirika lahu. Lahu al-mulk, wa lahu al-hamd, wa hua ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.”
(There is no god but Allah. He is One. He has no partner. To Him is the
dominion and all praise, and He has power over all things.)
Subhanallah) “Glory be to Allah.!”.
(Walhamdulillah) “Praise be to Allah !”.
(Wa la’ilaha,illal-laah) “No (true) god except Allah
(Wallahu akbar) “Allah is the Greatest !”
(Wa la hawla wa la quwwata ’illa bil-lahi) ‘There is no power nor strength save by Allah !”.
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“And the remembering (praising) of (you by) Allah (in front of the angels) is greater indeed [than your remembering (praising) of Allah in prayers]” (29:45)
“Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying). I will remember you.” (2:152)
“And remember your Rubb by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear and without loudness in words, in the mornings and in the afternoons, and be not of those who are neglectful.” (7:205)
“And remember Allah much, that you may be successful.” (62:10)
“Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women… (up to)… And the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues. Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e., Jannah).” (33:35)
“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and `Asr prayers].” (33:41,42)
1408. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim [Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection)'.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith affirms that man’s actions carry weight. On the Day of Judgement, his actions will be cast into the Balance. At that time Allah will endow these actions with weight, or according to some scholars, those records which register man’s actions will be weighed. This is quite possible for the reason that Almighty Allah is Capable of weighing things without even their physical form. This discussion apart, when actions will be cast into the Balance, the formula mentioned in the Hadith, the utterance of which is very easy, will prove weighty. Every Muslim should make it a practice to repeat them frequently.
1409. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The uttering of the words: “Subhan-Allah (Allah is free from imperfection), Al-hamdu lillah (all praise is due to Allah), La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah) and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)’ is dearer to me than anything over which the sun rises.”
[Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith hightlights the fact that the formulas which mention the Praise and Glory of Allah, His Majesty and Oneness are liked by the Prophet (PBUH) more than anything in the world, because this is one of the virtues which will survive and will be rewarded, while the world and all that it has will perish.
1410. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “He who utters a hundred times in a day these words: `La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli sha’in Qadir (there is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him; His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent),’ he will have a reward equivalent to that for emancipating ten slaves, a hundred good deeds will be recorded to his credit, hundred of his sins will be blotted out from his scroll, and he will be safeguarded against the devil on that day till the evening; and no one will exceed him in doing more excellent good deeds except someone who has recited these words more often than him. And he who utters: `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise)’ one hundred times a day, his sins will be obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the ocean.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: Here sins mean minor sins and those which do not relate to the rights of people. This point has already been elaborated in the preceding Ahadith.
1411. Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said: “He who utters ten times: `La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahulmulku wa lahulhamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli sha’in Qadir (there is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent),’ he will have a reward equal to that for freeing four slaves from the progeny of Prophet Isma`il.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: “Slaves from the progeny of Isma`il” is a simile for very precious slaves. That is, it has the same reward to which the emancipation of four very precious slaves is eligible.
1412. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, “Shall I tell you the expression that is most loved by Allah?” It is `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi’ (Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise)’.”
[Muslim].
1413. Abu Malik Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Wudu’ is half of Salat, and the expression: `Subhan-Allah (Allah is free from imperfection)’ fills the Balance, and the expression: `Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah)’ fills the space between the heavens and the earth.”
[Muslim].
Commentary: “Tuhur” is purification or Wudu’, while “Tahur” is water or something which is used for purification. According to some scholars, `Faith” means Salat. This is also the sense in which it has been used in the Qur’an: “And Allah would never make your Faith to be lost (i.e., your prayers).” [2:143]. Thus when Salat is the Faith, the purification is a prerequisite for Salat. Salat is not valid without purification. Some scholars are of the opinion that Faith here means Faith in general, as the Shari`ah defines it: To sincerely accept and believe in all that the Prophet (PBUH) came with, i.e., sincere acceptance of Allah and His Prophet (PBUH).
“Purification is half of the Faith” means the acceptance that purification is the most important article of Faith. It is like the saying of the Prophet (PBUH) that “Hajj is `Arafah”, which means that `Arafat (the place where the pilgrims stay on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah) is the most important element of the Hajj. Thus, this Hadith stresses the importance and merits of purification and offers an inducement for it. It also mentions the eminence of the invocations mentioned in the Hadith by saying that if they are given a form, they will fill the space between the heavens and the earth. In other words, it is a description of the infinite vastness of the Mercy and Grace of Allah.
1414. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said to him, “Teach me a few words to recite frequently.” He (PBUH) said, “Say: “La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu; Allahu Akbar kabiran, wal-hamdu lillahi kathiran, wa subhan-Allahi Rabbil-`alamin; wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil-`Azizil-Hakim (there is no true god except Allah the One and He has no partner with Him; Allah is the Greatest and greatness is for Him. All praise is due to Him. Allah, the Rubb of the worlds is free from imperfection; there is no might and power but that of Allah, the All-Powerful and the All-Wise.)”’ The bedouin said: “All of these for my Rubb. But what is for me?” Thereupon he (Messenger of Allah (PBUH)) said, “You should say: `Allahummaghfir li, warhamni, wahdini, warzuqni (O Allah! Grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, direct me to righteousness and provide me subsistence)’.”
[Muslim].
1415. Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) concluded his prayer, he would beg forgiveness from Allah thrice and then would recite: “Allahumma Antas-Salamu, wa minkas-salamu, tabarakta ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram (O Allah, You are the Grantor of security, and security comes from You. You are Blessing, O You Who have majesty and nobility)!” (Imam) Al-Awza`i, one of the narrators of this Hadith, was asked: “How forgiveness is to be sought?” He answered: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to say: `Astaghfirullah! Astaghfirullah! (I beseech Allah for forgiveness, I beseech Allah for forgiveness)’.”
[Muslim].
1416. Al-Mughirah bin Shu`bah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to say at the conclusion of prayer: “La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli shai’in Qadir. Allahumma la mani`a lima a’tayta, wa la mu`tiya lima mana`ta, wa la yanfa`u dhal-jaddi, minkal-jaddu (there is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him, His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent. O Allah! None can deny that which You bestow and none can bestow that which You hold back; and the greatness of the great will be of no avail to them against You).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: “Al-Jaddu” means good luck and richness. That is, good fortune and prosperity will not be of any avail before Allah. What will really benefit a person before Him are Faith and virtuous deeds. The prayer quoted in this Hadith makes a special mention of His Oneness.
1417. It has been reported that `Abdullah bin Zubair (May Allah be pleased with them) used to recite after Taslim at the conclusion of every Salat (prayer): “La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli shai’in Qadir. La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah. La ilaha illallahu, wa la na`budu illa iyyahu, Lahun-ni`matu, wa lahul-fadlu, wa lahuth-thana’ul-hasan. La ilaha ilallahu, mukhlisina, lahud-dina, wa lau karihal-kafirun (there is no true god except Allah; He is One. To Him belongs the dominion and to Him is all praise, and He is Powerful over all things. There is no power and might except with (the help of) Allah. There is no God but Allah and we worship none except Him, to Him belongs the bounty and to Him belongs the grace, and to Him belongs all excellent praise; there is no deity but Allah. We reserve our devotion exclusively for Him though the disbelievers may detest it).” Ibn Az-Zubair said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to celebrate Allah’s Greatness in those terms after every Salat (prayer).
[Muslim].
Commentary: The invocation mentioned in this Hadith is ordained by the Prophet (PBUH) and was his practice. To recite Shahadah repeatedly after Salat and to offer benediction and salutations to the Prophet (PBUH) collectively is a self-invented formula and is not consonant with the practice of the Prophet (PBUH). It is, therefore, a heresy and will have no merit. Every Muslim has to follow only the preachings and practice of the Prophet (PBUH).
1418. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The poor Emigrants came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: “The wealthy have gone with the highest ranks and lasting bliss.” He asked: “How is that?” They replied: “They offer Salat (prayer) as we offer it; they observe fast as we do; (and as they are wealthy) they perform Hajj and `Umrah, and go for Jihad, and they spend in charity but we cannot, and they free the slaves but we are unable to do so.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Shall I not teach you something with which you may overtake those who surpassed you and with which you will surpass those who will come after you? None will excel you unless he who does which you do.” They said: “Yes, please do, O Messenger of Allah” He (PBUH) said, “You should recite: Tasbih (Allah is free from imperfection), Takbir (Allah is Greatest), Tahmid (Praise be to Allah) thirty-three times after each Salat.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Abu Salih, the subnarrator of the Hadith said, when Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) was asked about the manner of reciting Tasbih, Tahmid and Takbir, he said, “Recite: “Subhan-Allah, wal-hamdulillah, wallahu Akbar’, till all are recited thirty-three times.
Commentary: This Hadith has already been mentioned, but with a slightly different wording with reference to Sahih Muslim. The elaboration made by Abu Salih apparently seems to indicate that all the three words should be recited in combination while other religious scholars have shown preference for reciting them separately. The purpose is, however, attained in either way. There does arise one question here: Should one recite each of these words thirty-three times or in all for thirty-three times? The wording of the Hadith does not make this clear. Other Ahadith, (which will follow soon) make it clear that each of these words is to be recited for thirty-three times. This is how their aggregate will come to ninety-nine. The Hadith that follows makes this point lear.
1419. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “He who recites after every prayer: Subhan-Allah (Allah is free from imperfection) thirty-three times; Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah) thirty-three times; Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest) thirty-three times; and completes the hundred with: La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli shai’in Qadir (there is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent), will have all his sins pardoned even if they may be as large as the foam on the surface of the sea.”
[Muslim].
1420. Ka`b bin `Ujrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “There are some words, the reciters of which will never be disappointed. These are: Tasbih [saying `Subhan-Allah' (Allah is free from imperfection)], thirty-three times, Tahmid [saying `Al-hamdu lillah' (praise be to Allah)] thirty-three times and Takbir [saying `Allahu Akbar' (Allah is Greatest)] thirty-four times; and these should be recited after the conclusion of every prescribed prayer.”
[Muslim]
Commentary: “Muaqqibat” means the words of Praise and Glorification of Allah which are recited after Salat. This Hadith says that the words “Allahu Akbar” should be recited thirty-four times.
1421. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to seek (Allah’s) protection after prayers in these words: “Alla-humma inni a`udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa a`udhu bika min an uradda ila ardhalil-`umur, wa a`udhu bika min fitnatid-dunya, wa a`udhu bika min fitnatil-qabr (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from cowardice, miserliness and from being sent back to a feeble age; and, seek refuge with You from the trials of this life and those of the grave).”
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: Some religious scholars are of the opinion that it is better to observe reciting this Du`a after concluding prayers, and that it is better to combine both. Some scholars say that the Prophet (PBUH) used to recite this Du`a just before Taslim, while he used to recite the Du`a mentioned earlier after Taslim.
1422. Mu`adh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) took hold of my hand and said, “O Mu`adh! By Allah I love you, so I advise you to never forget to recite after every prayer: “Allahumma a`inni ala dhikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni `ibadatika (O Allah, help me remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in an excellent manner).”
[Abu Dawud].
Commentary: This Hadith stresses the fact that one should seek the Help of Allah for His remembrance, thanksgiving and worship, because one cannot do anything without His Help and Support. It also shows the superiority of Mu`adh (May Allah be pleased with him) and the Prophet’s love for him.
1423. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “When anyone of you has done his Tashahhud during Salat (prayer), he should seek refuge in Allah against four things and say: “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min `adhabi jahannam, wa min `adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the torment of Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the mischief of Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).”
[Muslim].
Commentary: “Trials of life” means ordeals which one has to face in life and which can harm his Faith and body. “The trials of death” means the troubles which one has to face before death. “Masih” means Mumsuh-ul-`Ain, one who is squint. Ad-Dajjal (deceiver, impostor) refers to that man with a squint who will appear before the Day of Judgement. This is why he is called Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal. He will make claim of godhood and in order to test the Faith of people, Allah will get some supernatural works done from him. The pious ones would, however, recognize him and will save themselves from his trap. This will be a great trial indeed and one must seek refuge with Allah from it.
1424. `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was in Salat (prayer), he used to supplicate towards the end of prayer after Tashahhud and before the concluding salutations: “Allahum-maghfir li ma qaddamtu wa ma akh-khartu, wa ma asrartu, wa ma a`lantu, wa ma asraftu, wa ma Anta a`lamu bihi minni. Antal-Muqqadimu, wa Antal-Mu’akh-khiru. La ilaha illa Anta (O Allah! Forgive my former and latter sins, which I have done secretly and those which I have done openly, and that I have wronged others, and those defaults of mine about which You have better knowledge than I have. You Alone can send whomever You will to Jannah, and You Alone can send whomever You will to Hell-fire. None has the right to be worshipped but You.”
[Muslim].
1425. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) used to recite frequently in his bowing and prostration: “Subhanak-Allahumma, Rabbana wa bihamdika. Allahum-maghfir li (O Allah! You are free from imperfection and I begin with praising You. Forgive my sins).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
1426. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to recite in his bowing and prostration: “Subbuhun Quddusun, Rabbul-mala’ikati war-ruh [You are the Most Glorious. The Most Holy. You the Rubb of the angels and of Jibril
[Muslim].
Commentary: “Subbuh” and “Quddus” are two attributive Names of Allah which denote His Perfect Purity and Uniqueness. “Ar-Ruh” means Jibril (Gabriel). Although he, too, comes in the category of angels but his special mention is made here to emphasize his majesty and honour. In short, the recitation of the prayers mentioned in this Hadith is in keeping with the practice of the Prophet (PBUH).
1427. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Glorify your Lord in Ruku` (bowing posture) and exert yourself in supplication in prostration. Thus your supplications are liable to be accepted.”
[Muslim].
1428. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “A slave becomes nearest to his Rubb when he is in prostration. So increase supplications while prostrating.”
[Muslim].
Commentary: Both the Ahadith mentioned above, evidently show that there is greater possibility of acceptance of an invocation which is made in prostration. Therefore, one must do it in the voulntary Salat.
1429. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to say in his prostration: Allahum-maghfir li dhanbi kullahu: diqqahu wa jillahu, wa `awwalahu wa akhirahu, wa alaniyatahu wa sirrahu (O Allah! Forgive all my sins, the small and the great, first and the last, the open and the secret).”
[Muslim].
Commentary: Although the Prophet (PBUH) was innocent and free of sins, he used to pray for the forgiveness of his shortcomings out of his gratitude to Allah’s Might and Majesty. Thus, this Hadith has a great lesson for us. In spite of being innocent, he was always fearful of the Wrath of Allah, while we, despite being embodiments of sins, are fearless of Allah.
1430. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: One night I missed the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) from his bed. I searched for him. When I found him he was in bowing or prostrating posture and was reciting: Subhanaka wa bi hamdika. La ilaha illa Anta (You are free from imperfection and I begin praising You. There is no true god except You).”
Another narration is: My hand fell over his feet while he was in prostration with his feet erect. He was supplicating: “Allahumma inni a`udhu biridaka min sakhatika, wa bi-mu`afatika min `uqubatika, wa a`udhu bika minka, la uhsi thana’an `alaika, Anta kama athnaita `ala Nafsika (O Allah! I seek protection against Your Wrath in Your Pleasure. I seek protection in Your Pardon against Your chastisement, I am not capable of enumerating praise of You. You are as You have lauded Yourself).”
1431. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) when he asked, “Is anyone of you unable to earn a thousand good deeds?” One of those present asked: “How can one earn thousand good deeds in a day?” He (PBUH) replied, “By saying: Subhan Allah a hundred times, then one thousand good deeds will be recorded for him or one thousand sins will be blotted out from his record.”
[Muslim].
Commentary: One thousand good deeds in return for saying the word “Subhan-Allah” is a minimum reward under the promise that says i.e., ten-fold reward would be given for each good deed. The words “Au yuhattu” is open to disagreement among the religious scholars. Some of them have mentioned it with “Au” which means one gets one thousand good deeds or a thousand sins are forgiven; while others have mentioned this Hadith with the word “Wa yuhattu”, that is, one is given a thousand virtues and a similar number of sins are pardoned.
1432. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Every morning charity is due from every joint bone of the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah’s Glorification (i.e., Subhan-Allah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of praise of Him (i.e., Al-hamdu lillah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of profession of Faith (i.e., La ilaha illallah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of His Greatness (i.e., Allahu Akbar) is an act of charity; and enjoining good is an act of charity and forbidding what is disreputable is an act of charity; and two Rak`ah prayer which one offers in the forenoon (Ad-Duha) will suffice for all this.”
[Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith has already been mentioned. See Hadith No. 118. It brings into prominence the distinction of the two Rak`ah of Ad-Duha as it is a means to express one’s gratitude to Allah for 360 joints in one’s body. Similarly, the Praise and Glorification of Allah, the declaration of His Oneness, enjoining good and forbidding vices are all Sadaqah of man’s body.
1433. Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with her) reported, the Mother of the Believers: The Prophet (PBUH) came out from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Are you still in the same position as I left you.” I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet said, “I recited four words three times after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier. These are: Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, `adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinatah `arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi [Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the weight of His Throne and equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise)].”
[Muslim].
Commentary: The recitation of the words quoted in this Hadith is highly meritorious and rewarding because they are full of Praise and Glorification of Allah.
1434. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The similitude of one who remembers his Rubb and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the dead.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: Lack of remembrance of Allah is akin to death. When a person dies, he is unable to do anything. Similarly, a person who does not remember Allah goes so far from Him that he cannot do anything which can benefit him.
1435. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Allah the Exalted says: `I am as my slave expects me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me inwardly, I will remember him inwardly, and if he remembers Me in an assembly, I will remember him in a better assembly (i.e., in the assembly of angels).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: “I am as my slave expects me to be” means that one should have the conviction that He accepts repentance, grants pardon, relieves people of their tensions and emancipates them from their troubles. Along with this conviction one should do good deeds which please Allah and avoid such deeds which have been prohibited by Him. With this conduct, one should hope for the best from Allah. This approach is similar to that of a cultivator who ploughs his land, sows the seed, waters it, takes every possible care of it and then cherishes hope for a good crop. It can also be linked to the endeavours of a person who intends to become a scholar, or a physician or an engineer. The first and foremost requirement to pursue his ambition is to study the books through which he can gain the required knowledge. For every work one intends to do, one has to first make a foundation and then acquire the means essential for it. It is only then that one can hope to achieve one’s aim.
Similar is the case of associating good hopes with Allah. Unless a person does not furnish the foundation of Faith and good deeds for it, it will be unwise to associate good hopes with Allah. A slave who rather than serving his master runs away or annoys him and still hopes that his master being so kind will not take him to task for his excesses would be called stupid by the people. The same is true of Allah, who is certainly the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful and Forgiving. But for whom is He so? The answer is for His faithful and obedient slaves and not for those who are followers of Satan. For Satan and his followers, Allah’s Decision is that: “I will fill Hell with you (Iblis) and those of them (mankind) that follow you, together.” (38:85).
1436. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The Mufarridun have gone ahead.” He was asked, “Who are the Mufarridun?” He (PBUH) replied, “Those men and women who frequently celebrate the remembrance of Allah.”
[Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith highlights the following two points: First, the eminence of plentiful remembrance of Allah. People who have this quality will be ahead of others in reward on the Day of Judgement. Second, people who remember Allah and are obedient to Him, be they men or women, will be rewarded equally. In the matter of reward no distinction will be made on the basis of their gender.
1437. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, “The best way to celebrate the remembrance of Allah is to say: La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah).”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: Since the Shahadah is the basis of Islam, its repetition in abundance has the greatest eminence. Some religious scholars regard only La ilaha illallah as eminent, while others hold that the second part of it (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) is also included in it. Thus, in their opinion both these parts of the Shahadah should be recited together.
1438. `Abdullah bin Busr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One of the Companions said, “O Messenger of Allah. There are many injunctions of Islam for me. So tell me something to which I may hold fast.” He said, “Keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allah.”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: Shara’i` is the plural of Shari`ah Shari`ah is in the sense of Mashru`ah, that is the Divine injunctions. These Divine injunctions are of various kinds, i.e., some of them are obligatory, some desirable and some voluntary. The obligatory ones are compulsory and their compliance is indispensable. What is termed as Mustahabbat (desirables) are also highly important for gaining the Pleasure of Allah. Similarly, voluntary acts are a means of getting close to Allah. Ordinary people are sometimes puzzled by the abundance of the latter and want to adhere to the first two, that is obligations and what comes in the category of desirables. A desire to this effect is mentioned in this Hadith. The Prophet (PBUH) answered the query in this matter by saying to the inquirer, “Keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allah.” Keeping the tongue wet with the remembrance of Allah here means its abundant recitation. In other words, one should make the remembrance of Allah a permanent feature. If one is not able to do many voulntary good works, which some people find difficult, the remembrance of Allah will make up the deficiency in that regard.
1439. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “For him who says: `Subhan-Allahi wa bi hamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection, and I begin with praising Him, and to Him),’ a palm-tree will be planted in Jannah.”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: Jannah is so vast that we cannot even imagine its vastness. The planting of trees in return for the Praise and Glorification of Allah is, therefore, neither something difficult nor surprising. So, there should not be any hesitation in accepting it as a fact. Some people take it is as a metaphor for a plentiful reward.
1440. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “I met Ibrahim (PBUH) on the Night of Ascension (Al-Asra), and he said to me: `O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Ummah, and tell them that Jannah has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain levelled land. The plants grow there by uttering: Subhan-Allah, Al-hamdu lillah, La ilaha illallah and Allahu Akbar (Allah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allah; there is no true god except Allah; and Allah is Greatest).”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: Qi`an is the plural of Qa` which means plain levelled land that does not have any tree. Trees grow on the plain land of Jannah in return for remembrance and Glorification of Allah. The more one remembers Allah, the greater is the number of trees which grow on the piece of land that will be awarded to him.
1441. Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Rubb, which exalt you to the high ranks, which are more efficacious than spending gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than you should encounter your enemies whom you will smite their necks and they will smite your necks?” They said, “Certainly.” He (PBUH) said, “Remembrance of Allah the Exalted.”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: This Hadith also tells us about the eminence of remembrance of Allah, as the basis of every good deed is remembrance of Allah and expression of one’s devotion and obedience to Him. Without these two, even the greatest virtue is useless and is of no value. Thus, we must always bear it in mind that remembrance of Allah is superior to everything else.
1442. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and I went to see a woman. She had date-stones or pebbles in front of her, and she was counting and reciting Tasbih. [`Subhan-Allah' (Allah is free from imperfection)]. He said, “Shall I not inform you of what is easier or better than this for you?” You should say: `Subhan-Allahi `adada ma khalaqa fis-sama’, wa subhan-Allahi `adada ma khalaqa fil-ardi, wa subhan-Allahi `adada ma baina dhalika, wa subhan-Allahi `adada ma Huwa Khaliqun, wallahu Akbaru mithla dhalika, wal-hamdu lillahi mithla dhalika, wa la ilaha illallahu mithla dhalika, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi mithla dhalika (Subhan-Allah, equal to the number of what He created in the heaven; and Subhan-Allah, equal to the number of His creatures in the earth; and Subhan-Allah, equal to the number in between them; and Subhan-Allah equal to the number of those He will create).’ Then say: `Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is Greatest) in the same way. Then say: `Al-hamdu lillah’ (praise be to Allah) in the same way. Then say: `La ilaha illallah’ (there is no true god except Allah) in the same way. Then say: `La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah’ (there is no change of a condition nor power except by Allah) in the same manner.”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: Sheikh Al-Albani has accepted this Hadith as Hasan because of the defect in its authority. He has stated that the original narration of it is without any reference to gravels and stones (of fruits) and that is “Sahih” and has been mentioned by Imam Muslim in his Sahih with reference to Jawairiyah (May Allah be pleased with her). (See Riyad-us-Saliheen, edited by Sheikh Al-Albani).
1443. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, “Shall I not guide you to a treasure from the treasures of Jannah?” I said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” Thereupon he (PBUH) said, “(Recite) `La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah’ (There is no change of a condition nor power except by Allah).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: In this Hadith the invocation “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” has been regarded a treasure of Jannah or one of the most precious stores of Jannah. The reason for its high eminence seems to be that through it, one makes a confession of his utter weakness and helplessness and attributes all power and authority to Allah, and this is very much liked by Allah. This statement is an outright admission that man has no power and if he can prevent himself from any mischief or do any good deed, it is only by the Will of Allah and His Permission.