The Virtue of Dhikr Performed with Serenity
Bayazid Bistami (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
Dhikr Performed with Serenity
“The most virtuous dhikr is not the one repeated frequently, but rather the dhikr performed while guarding against heedlessness and with serenity.”
To truly benefit from the grace (fayz) and spiritual essence (ruhaniyyat) of dhikr, it is necessary to participate in it both heart and mind. For just as prayer requires harmony between body and soul, so too does dhikr. That is, while the tongue utters the remembrance, the heart must also deepen in contemplation of its meaning.
We must constantly be aware of being in the presence (huzur) of Allah, understanding that He sees us at every moment and in every place, even closer than our own jugular vein. It is through this manner of turning to Him that a state of “huzur” is realized in the heart. The term “huzur,” as used by those who are spiritually enlightened (arif), does not refer to physical comfort but rather to the constant remembrance (daimi dhikr) resulting from the certainty of being with Allah.
True People of Dhikr
The spiritual vitality gained by knowing oneself to be in the Divine Presence at every moment elevates dhikr to its highest level. Allah, Most High, presents the true people of dhikr who have attained the perfection of dhikr in a verse:
“Only those who believe are those whose hearts tremble when mention of Allah is made…” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:2)
Thus, the intended meaning of dhikr is not merely repetition with the tongue. Rather, it is the trembling of hearts through contemplation of the meanings associated with the Name being uttered and the heart becoming a vessel of remembrance.
Hz. Mevlana (may Allah be pleased with him) addresses those who perform acts of worship solely in form, devoid of spiritual grace:
“O heedless one! If only when you prostrate, you could turn your face sincerely towards Allah and truly comprehend the meaning of saying, ‘My Lord, the Most High, is free from all imperfection.’ That is to say, not merely a formal prostration, but (a heart prostration that) would elevate you to the heavens!”