Author: Imam Diya al-Din al-Maqdisi (may Allah have mercy on him)
Translation and Benefits: Hafiz Nadeem Zaheer
Virtues of Dhikr:
❀ Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"Every human being from the children of Adam has three hundred and sixty joints. Whoever says, 'Allah is the Greatest,' 'Praise be to Allah,' 'There is no god but Allah,' 'Glory be to Allah,' and 'I seek Allah's forgiveness,' and removes a stone, thorn, or bone from people's path, or enjoins good or forbids evil, will walk that day having performed deeds equivalent to the number of these joints, and (thus) will save himself from the Fire."
[Sahih Muslim: 1007]
Benefits:
↰ This hadith highlights the virtue of dhikr, especially phrases like La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah), Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah), and Astaghfirullah (I seek Allah's forgiveness). It also emphasizes not considering any good deed insignificant and not neglecting it. The importance of enjoining good and forbidding evil is also affirmed, as many traditions from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) encourage and warn in this regard.
❀ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"By Him in whose hand my life is, you must enjoin good and forbid evil, or else Allah will send a punishment upon you. Then you will supplicate to Him, but your supplications will not be answered."
[Tirmidhi: 2169, Hasan]
Benefits:
↰ Therefore, one should save oneself from the Fire through dhikr, respecting the rights of the path, and enjoining good and forbidding evil.
❀ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"Allah is pleased with a servant who, after eating a meal, praises Him for it, or after drinking something, praises Him for it."
[Muslim: 2734]
Benefits:
↰ One should thank Allah after eating and drinking because this not only earns Allah’s pleasure but also increases sustenance. Allah Almighty says:
"If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more."
[Ibrahim: 7]
❀ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"When Allah grants a servant a blessing and he says: 'Alhamdulillah' (Praise be to Allah), he has given what is better than what he received."
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 3805, its chain is Hasan]
Benefits:
↰ The phrase 'Alhamdulillah' is so valuable in the sight of Allah that it is considered better than the blessing itself. This means that the remembrance of Allah is superior to the blessing from Allah.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed by him while he was planting a tree. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "O Abu Hurairah, what are you planting?" I said:
"A tree." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Shall I not tell you of a tree better than this?" Abu Hurairah said:
"Yes, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Say:
'Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar,' for each of these words, a tree will be planted for you in Paradise."
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 807, its chain is weak]
Benefits:
↰ This narration’s chain is weak due to Isa bin Sinan Abu Sinan, who is considered weak by the majority of hadith scholars. However, the virtues of these phrases are also established by authentic hadiths as mentioned earlier.
❀ Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"The dhikr (remembrance of Allah) you do of glorifying, declaring His greatness, and praising Him revolves around the Throne, buzzing like bees, mentioning the name of their reciter before Allah. Does any one of you not want to continue to be mentioned (before Allah)?"
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 3809, its chain is Hasan]
Benefits:
↰ This indicates the virtue of dhikr and the one who remembers Allah.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Busr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a man said:
"O Messenger of Allah, the commands of Islam have become too many for me. Tell me something I can hold onto." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah."
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 3793, its chain is Hasan; Tirmidhi: 3375]
Benefits:
↰ "The commands of Islam have become too many" refers to voluntary acts. It is incorrect to interpret this as referring to obligatory acts like prayer, fasting, zakah, and Hajj. Some claim that even if one neglects obligatory acts, one should never abandon gatherings of dhikr. It should be noted that Allah is not pleased with neglecting obligatory acts in favor of voluntary acts. The virtue of dhikr and the encouragement to keep the tongue moist with it is clearly established in this hadith.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah and Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with them) narrate that both testified to hearing the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: "Any group that remembers Allah will be surrounded by angels, covered by mercy, tranquility will descend upon them, and Allah will mention them to those who are with Him."
[Sahih Muslim: 2700]
Benefits:
↰ This hadith emphasizes the general virtue of dhikr, as those who remember Allah are under His protection, and He mentions them in His exalted assembly. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that Allah says: "I am as My servant thinks of Me. I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me to himself, I remember him to Myself. If he mentions Me in a gathering, I mention him in a gathering better than that."
[Sahih Muslim: 2675, Sahih Bukhari: 7405]
✿ Allah Almighty says: "So remember Me; I will remember you."
[Al-Baqarah: 152]
↰ Some people use this hadith to argue that it is permissible to remember Allah in group gatherings with rhythmic chanting.
↰ However, it has been clarified earlier in several places that interpreting dhikr to mean "chanting in groups" is incorrect. Dhikr includes prayer and recitation of the Quran.
[See Ta Ha: 13, An-Nahl: 44]
↰ Given that dhikr is not limited to specific acts, it cannot be inferred from this hadith that group chanting is permissible, especially since the pious predecessors opposed it.
Furthermore, another hadith in Sahih Muslim explains this. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him."
[Sahih Muslim: 2699]
↰ It is clear that gatherings for dhikr refer to sessions of reciting the Quran, teaching, and discussing knowledge and jurisprudence, not the collective chanting sessions of certain innovators.
◈ Allama Abdul Rahman Mubarakpuri (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "Dhikr here refers to uttering phrases whose virtue or abundance has been encouraged, such as Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, and La ilaha illallah. Similar phrases like Hasbiyallahu and seeking forgiveness are also included. Asking for goodness in this world and the hereafter is also part of it. Persisting in obligatory or recommended acts is also considered dhikr, such as reciting the Quran, reading hadith, teaching knowledge, and performing voluntary prayers."
[Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi 9/314]
↰ To see the condemnation of group dhikr by the Companions and the pious predecessors, refer to Sunan al-Darimi, al-Bid'a wa al-Nahy Anha by Ibn Waddah, and Bid'at in Worship and Their Rejection from the Sunnah.
Translation and Benefits: Hafiz Nadeem Zaheer
Virtues of Dhikr:
❀ Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"Every human being from the children of Adam has three hundred and sixty joints. Whoever says, 'Allah is the Greatest,' 'Praise be to Allah,' 'There is no god but Allah,' 'Glory be to Allah,' and 'I seek Allah's forgiveness,' and removes a stone, thorn, or bone from people's path, or enjoins good or forbids evil, will walk that day having performed deeds equivalent to the number of these joints, and (thus) will save himself from the Fire."
[Sahih Muslim: 1007]
Benefits:
↰ This hadith highlights the virtue of dhikr, especially phrases like La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah), Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah), and Astaghfirullah (I seek Allah's forgiveness). It also emphasizes not considering any good deed insignificant and not neglecting it. The importance of enjoining good and forbidding evil is also affirmed, as many traditions from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) encourage and warn in this regard.
❀ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"By Him in whose hand my life is, you must enjoin good and forbid evil, or else Allah will send a punishment upon you. Then you will supplicate to Him, but your supplications will not be answered."
[Tirmidhi: 2169, Hasan]
Benefits:
↰ Therefore, one should save oneself from the Fire through dhikr, respecting the rights of the path, and enjoining good and forbidding evil.
❀ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"Allah is pleased with a servant who, after eating a meal, praises Him for it, or after drinking something, praises Him for it."
[Muslim: 2734]
Benefits:
↰ One should thank Allah after eating and drinking because this not only earns Allah’s pleasure but also increases sustenance. Allah Almighty says:
"If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more."
[Ibrahim: 7]
❀ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"When Allah grants a servant a blessing and he says: 'Alhamdulillah' (Praise be to Allah), he has given what is better than what he received."
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 3805, its chain is Hasan]
Benefits:
↰ The phrase 'Alhamdulillah' is so valuable in the sight of Allah that it is considered better than the blessing itself. This means that the remembrance of Allah is superior to the blessing from Allah.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed by him while he was planting a tree. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "O Abu Hurairah, what are you planting?" I said:
"A tree." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Shall I not tell you of a tree better than this?" Abu Hurairah said:
"Yes, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Say:
'Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar,' for each of these words, a tree will be planted for you in Paradise."
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 807, its chain is weak]
Benefits:
↰ This narration’s chain is weak due to Isa bin Sinan Abu Sinan, who is considered weak by the majority of hadith scholars. However, the virtues of these phrases are also established by authentic hadiths as mentioned earlier.
❀ Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"The dhikr (remembrance of Allah) you do of glorifying, declaring His greatness, and praising Him revolves around the Throne, buzzing like bees, mentioning the name of their reciter before Allah. Does any one of you not want to continue to be mentioned (before Allah)?"
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 3809, its chain is Hasan]
Benefits:
↰ This indicates the virtue of dhikr and the one who remembers Allah.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Busr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a man said:
"O Messenger of Allah, the commands of Islam have become too many for me. Tell me something I can hold onto." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah."
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 3793, its chain is Hasan; Tirmidhi: 3375]
Benefits:
↰ "The commands of Islam have become too many" refers to voluntary acts. It is incorrect to interpret this as referring to obligatory acts like prayer, fasting, zakah, and Hajj. Some claim that even if one neglects obligatory acts, one should never abandon gatherings of dhikr. It should be noted that Allah is not pleased with neglecting obligatory acts in favor of voluntary acts. The virtue of dhikr and the encouragement to keep the tongue moist with it is clearly established in this hadith.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah and Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with them) narrate that both testified to hearing the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: "Any group that remembers Allah will be surrounded by angels, covered by mercy, tranquility will descend upon them, and Allah will mention them to those who are with Him."
[Sahih Muslim: 2700]
Benefits:
↰ This hadith emphasizes the general virtue of dhikr, as those who remember Allah are under His protection, and He mentions them in His exalted assembly. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that Allah says: "I am as My servant thinks of Me. I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me to himself, I remember him to Myself. If he mentions Me in a gathering, I mention him in a gathering better than that."
[Sahih Muslim: 2675, Sahih Bukhari: 7405]
✿ Allah Almighty says: "So remember Me; I will remember you."
[Al-Baqarah: 152]
↰ Some people use this hadith to argue that it is permissible to remember Allah in group gatherings with rhythmic chanting.
↰ However, it has been clarified earlier in several places that interpreting dhikr to mean "chanting in groups" is incorrect. Dhikr includes prayer and recitation of the Quran.
[See Ta Ha: 13, An-Nahl: 44]
↰ Given that dhikr is not limited to specific acts, it cannot be inferred from this hadith that group chanting is permissible, especially since the pious predecessors opposed it.
Furthermore, another hadith in Sahih Muslim explains this. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him."
[Sahih Muslim: 2699]
↰ It is clear that gatherings for dhikr refer to sessions of reciting the Quran, teaching, and discussing knowledge and jurisprudence, not the collective chanting sessions of certain innovators.
◈ Allama Abdul Rahman Mubarakpuri (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "Dhikr here refers to uttering phrases whose virtue or abundance has been encouraged, such as Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, and La ilaha illallah. Similar phrases like Hasbiyallahu and seeking forgiveness are also included. Asking for goodness in this world and the hereafter is also part of it. Persisting in obligatory or recommended acts is also considered dhikr, such as reciting the Quran, reading hadith, teaching knowledge, and performing voluntary prayers."
[Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi 9/314]
↰ To see the condemnation of group dhikr by the Companions and the pious predecessors, refer to Sunan al-Darimi, al-Bid'a wa al-Nahy Anha by Ibn Waddah, and Bid'at in Worship and Their Rejection from the Sunnah.