What is Required for Zikr to be Accepted? Important Considerations in Acceptable Remembrance

What are the considerations for an acceptable remembrance (Zikr)?

The light of zikr is proportional to the state of the one remembering. That is, the acceptance and benefit of zikr is affected by the condition, purity, and sincerity of the heart of the person performing it. For an acceptable zikr;

1. Staying Away from Haram (Prohibited Acts): First and foremost, one must avoid all prohibited acts and also stay away from doubtful matters. This is the first step in purifying the heart.
2. Purifying Oneself from Worldly Concerns: All worldly preoccupations and desires that distance a servant from Allah must be removed from the heart. It’s important not to be caught up in worldly anxieties when setting aside time for zikr.
3. Remembering with the Heart: Furthermore, remembrance should not remain merely on the tongue; the heart must deepen in reflection upon the meaning of the remembrance. Rather than simply reciting it with the mouth, one must engage in remembrance by thinking about and trying to feel the meaning of the zikr. This is important for understanding the spirit of the remembrance.