The Virtue of Zikr and Its Contributions to Our Lives
According to one perspective, the word “human” shares a root with “forgetfulness.” Forgetfulness is among humankind’s greatest weaknesses. To eliminate the effects of this forgetfulness that naturally envelops humans, it is necessary to constantly keep alive awareness of Allah and servitude to Him. For every repetition strengthens the place for understanding and retention of what is repeated.
HUMAN FORGETFULNESS AND THE NECESSITY OF DAIM ZIKR
Due to its special importance among acts of worship, the word zikr (remembrance of Allah) appears over two hundred and fifty times in the Holy Quran. Achieving true servitude and thereby reaching Allah is realized to the extent that depth is gained in the heart through zikr. The Exalted Lord has said:
“Remember your Lord, supplicating Him in humility and awe, without raising your voice, both during the night and daytime. And do not be among the unmindful.” (Al-A’raf, 205)
“…Indeed, the remembrance of Allah is the most excellent [of deeds].” (Al-Ankabut, 45)
“(True) believers are those who remember Allah frequently while standing, sitting, or lying on their sides.” (Al-Imran, 191)
The heart is like the sultan of the body’s dominion. When it is revived through Zikrullah and attains a light that allows it to distinguish truth from falsehood, it becomes a compass directing the body towards righteousness and good deeds. It gives appropriate instructions to all its limbs. As a result, a state of servitude pleasing to Allah is attained.
The Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- states the virtue of zikr as follows:
“The likeness of one who remembers Allah and one who does not remember Allah is like the likeness of a living person and a dead person.” (Bukhari, Adhan, 1)
Those who remain distant from zikr are under divine threat because they are also distant from the love of Allah. Verses are revealed:
“O you who believe, do not let your wealth and children distract you from remembering Allah. For those who do so, they are among the losers.” (Al-Munafiqun, 9)
“…Woe to those whose hearts have become hardened against the remembrance of Allah! They are clearly in error.” (Az-Zumar, 22)
“Whoever turns away from My remembrance, he will surely go astray.” (Az-Zukhruf, 36)
“Whoever is unmindful of remembering the Most Merciful (Allah), We assign to him a devil, who leads him astray.” (Az-Zukhruf, 36)
“Whoever turns away from My remembrance, he shall surely live a wretched life, and We will resurrect him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” (Taha, 124)
Due to the dangers of neglecting Zikrullah, the Exalted Lord has given us many warnings. A verse is revealed:
“Has the time not come for the hearts to be humbled by Allah’s remembrance for those who have believed, and for whom a guide has come?” (Al-Hadeed, 16)
This verse was revealed to warn a group of companions who were lax after emigration due to hardship and poverty in Mecca, when they attained abundant sustenance and blessings. (See Suyuti, Lübâb, II, 151-152)
When Prophet Moses and Aaron -peace be upon them- were prophets, the Exalted Lord sent them to Pharaoh while saying:
“You and your brother come with signs and clear proofs. And remember Me frequently.” (Taha, 42)
Thus, He warned them not to be distant from zikr, making them an example and a lesson for us.
The Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- said about the necessity of being in a state of Zikrullah and self-accountability at every moment:
“Do not indulge in idle talk, forgetting Allah. For indeed, much talking leads to hardening of the heart. And the most distant of people from Allah is one whose heart is hardened.” (Tirmidhi, Zuhd, 62/2411)
The way for the hearts of believers to be freed from the hardness of heedlessness and to attain a sensitivity worthy of divine pleasure lies in “daim zikr” (constant remembrance). This is not possible for a period or a time, but rather by carrying the awareness of Zikrullah with every breath taken throughout one’s life, so that spiritual alertness may be achieved.
Indeed, Lady Aisha -may Allah be pleased with her- said:
“The Messenger of Allah -peace and blessings be upon him- was in a state of remembrance of Allah at every moment.” (Muslim, Hayz, 117)
Ibn Abbas -may Allah be pleased with him-, while interpreting the verse:
“O you who believe! Remember Allah often!” (Al-Ahzab, 41)
said: “Allah has set a limit for every act of worship that He obligates upon His servants. He has accepted the excuses of those who have an excuse in this regard. But not with zikr. Allah has not set a limit that can be reached regarding zikr. He does not accept the excuse of anyone who neglects zikr except for one whose mind is confused. The Exalted Lord has commanded people to be in a state of remembrance at all times.”
ZIKRULLAH AND SALAT-Ü SELAM: CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR LIVES
The Most Excellent of Creation -peace and blessings be upon him- encouraged remembrance and being in the company of those who remember Allah, saying:
“One who sits with a group remembering Allah from the time of Fajr prayer until sunrise receives more benefit than freeing four slaves from bondage. Similarly, one who sits with a group remembering Allah from the time of Asr prayer until sunset receives more benefit than freeing four people.” (Abu Dawud, Ilm, 13/3667)
On the other hand, the blessings we send upon the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- are also part of remembrance. The Exalted Lord says:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and greet him with peace.” (Al-Ahzab, 56)
The Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- stated the value of sending blessings as follows:
“Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will have mercy on him ten times, forgive ten sins and raise him ten degrees.” (Nasa’i, Sehv, 55)
“On the Day of Resurrection, those closest to me will be those who send the most blessings upon me.” (Tirmidhi, Vitir, 21/484)
In addition to acts of worship such as prayer, tasbih, tahmid, takbir, tahlil and istighfar, reading the Holy Quran and reflecting on its verses is also a form of remembrance.
Footnotes:
[1] Tabari, Jamiu’l-Bayan an Ta’wili Ayi’l-Quran, Beirut 1995, XXII, 22; Qurtubi, XIV, 197.
[2] Muslim, Salat, 70.
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