ZIKR

…وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ كَثِيرًا…

…And remember your Lord much...

ZIKR OF ALLAH (SWT):

The term Zikr literally means ‘to call back to memory’ or ‘to have something in conscious mind’. Therefore, when we are told to perform Zikr of Allah (SWT), it actually implies that we have to be conscious of Allah (SWT) at all times. We must always strive to remember Him in all situations and conditions, as we have been instructed to perform His Zikr  in the Qur'an:

“O you who have faith! Remember Allah with frequent remembrance, and glorify Him morning and evening”. (33:41-42)

Abu Musa Ash’ari R.A narrated that the Holy Prophet (SAS) 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)

  

1- VIRTUES OF ZIKR:

• Allah (SWT) remembers him, who remembers Allah (SWT)

“Remember Me and I will remember you, and thank Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me”. (2:152)

Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Holy Prophet (SAS) said, “Allah (SWT) says: ‘My servant! If you remember Me in privacy, I will also remember you in privacy; And if you remember Me in an assembly, I will also remember you in an assembly which is better and greater (than your assembly)’”. (Bukhari)

• It brings tranquillity to the heart

“…for verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest ”. (13:28)

• It qualifies one for great rewards

“…And the men who remember Allah greatly, and the women who remember (Allah greatly) –Allah holds in store for them forgiveness and a great reward”. (33:35)

• It safeguards one from NIFAAQ ‘Hypocrisy’

“The hypocrites indeed seek to deceive Allah, but it is He who outwits them. When they stand up for prayer, they stand up lazily, showing off to the people and not remembering Allah except little, wavering in between: neither with these nor with those. And whomever Allah leads astray, you will never find any way for him”. (4:142-143)

2- TYPES OF ZIKR:

• Salah

“Indeed I am Allah –there is no god except Me. So worship Me, and maintain the Salah for My remembrance”. (20:14)

“Recite what has been revealed to you of The Book and maintain the Salah. Indeed the Salah prevents indecencies and wrongs, and the remembrance of Allah is surely greater. And Allah knows whatever (deeds) you do”. (29:45)

• Tasbeeh and Du’a

“…And remember your Lord greatly, and glorify Him morning and evening”. (3:41)

“Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth (and say) ‘Our Lord, You have not created this in vain! Exalted are You! Save us from the punishment of the Fire”. (3:191)

 • Qur'an : 'A-Z' Zikr

The Holy Qur'an is the ultimate Zikr, as it is purely Allah's Words. Infact, one of its names is Al-Zikr and Allah (SWT) has used this name for the Holy Qur'an in numerous verses.

“Indeed We have sent down the ZIKR (Reminder), and indeed We will preserve it”. (15:9)

“…We have sent down the ZIKR (Reminder) to you so that you may clarify for the people that which has been sent down to them, so that they may reflect”. (16:44)

“Indeed those who defy the ZIKR (Reminder) when it comes to them (should know that) indeed it is a mighty book: falsehood cannot approach it, from before it nor from behind it, (gradually) sent down (revelation) from One all-wise, all-laudable”. (41:41-42)

“No indeed! These (verses of Quran) are a reminder. So let anyone who wishes remember it. In honoured scriptures, exalted and purified, in the hands of the envoys (scribes), noble and pious”. (80:12-16)