In Islam, Zikr is one of the most excellent acts, pleasing to Allah. So says the Quran:
o Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah, for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction. (Quran, Surat Ar-Ra’d)
o And to Allah belong the most Beautiful Names, so call on Him by them and leave (the company of) those who practice deviation concerning His names. (Quran, Surat al Araaf)
o He is successful who purifies himself, and remembers the name of his Lord, and so prays. (Quran, Surat Al-A’la)
o And remember your Lord within yourself, in humility and in fear, below your breath, in the mornings and evenings, and do not be among the heedless. (Quran, Surat al Araaf)
o You who believe, remember Allah with much remembrance. (Quran, Surat al Ahzaab)
o Those who remember their Lord standing, and sitting, and lying on their sides. (Quran, Surat Al-Imran)
o In houses, which Allah has allowed to be raised to honor and for His Name to be remembered in them; He is glorified there day and night by men whom neither trade nor sale can divert from the remembrance of Allah. (Quran, Surat An-Nur)
o Recite to them what has been revealed to you in the book and be steadfast in prayer. Lo! worship preserveth from lewdness and iniquity, but verily remembrance of Allah is more important. (Quran, Surat al- Ankaboot)
o You who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumma, proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed. (Quran, Surat Jumma)
The Prophet stated:
o Keep your tongue always moist with Zikr Allah.
o Remember / mention Allah as much as you want, until people say that you are crazy and mad.
o Those who do zikr of Allah will come to their Creator fluttering.
o The Hour will not rise before Allah, Allah is no longer said on earth.
According to Imam Nawawi, “Know that the narrations of hadith are unanimous in the repetition of the name of Allah.
The repetition of the words ‘Allah, Allah ‘ is the practice inherited from the Prophet and the Companions.”
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said: “I love repeating ‘Subhan Allah, wal hamdu lillah, wa la ilaha Ill-Allah, wa Allah-o-Akbar (Glorified is Allah, All praise is due to Allah, There is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest)’ more than all that the sun shines upon.”
According to another statement of the Prophet, “When a group of persons remembers Allah, angels surround them, mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him.”
Once the Prophet went to a group of his Companions sitting in a circle, and enquired: “What made you sit here?” They said: “We are here to Remember and Glorify Allah.” The Prophet asked if this was the only purpose of their sitting there. They replied: “We are here for this very purpose only.” The Prophet then said that Angel Gabriel had come to him, to inform that Allah was stating before the angels that “He is proud of you!”
o The Prophet would emphasise to his Companions: “Shall I tell you about the best of deeds, the most pure in the sight of your Lord, about the one that is of the highest order and far better for you than spending gold and silver, even better for you than meeting your enemies in the battlefield.” The Prophet would then underscore: ‘ZIKR of ALLAH.”
The author is the chairman of Overseas Pakistani Community Global Foundation, Africa (OPGFA)
