The Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr)

Authored by: Fadhilat al-Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Hammad (may Allah preserve him)

✦ The Liveliness of Dhikr ✦​

‏مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ رَبَّهُ وَالَّذِي لاَ يَذْكُرُ مَثَلُ الْحَىِّ وَالْمَيِّتِ
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 6407]

"The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like that of the living and the dead."

✦ Benefits ✦​

① Dhikr of Allah is a source of light and life, whereas forgetfulness of Allah brings darkness and death. One who neglects the remembrance of Allah is likened to the dead.

② Allah has commanded the believers:
"O you who believe, remember Allah abundantly."
[al-Aḥzāb: 41]

③ Forms of Dhikr include:

• Recitation of the Qur’an
• Study of Hadith
• Sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ
• Mindful remembrance of Allah in all situations

④ The best form of Dhikr is to remember Allah consistently in fulfilling commands and avoiding prohibitions.

✦ The Superior Deed ✦​

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Shall I not inform you of the best of deeds, most rewarding in the sight of your Lord, which raises your ranks, is better than spending gold and silver, and better than facing your enemy and striking their necks while they strike yours?"

The Companions replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!"
He said:
"It is the remembrance of Allah."
[Musnad Aḥmad, 6/446]

✦ The Best Deed at the Time of Death ✦​

In another ḥadīth, a Bedouin came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked:

"O Messenger of Allah, which deed is the best?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:

"That your tongue remains moist with the remembrance of Allah when death approaches you."
[Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, al-Zuhd, 2329]