Dhikr
Dhikr, meaning “remembrance” or “mention,” refers to the remembrance of Allah through the heart, tongue, and actions. It occupies a central place in Islamic spirituality and devotional life and is repeatedly emphasized in the Qurʾān and sunnah. In Islamic teaching, dhikr is not limited to verbal repetition of sacred phrases but includes every act that keeps a believer conscious of Allah. Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ consistently encouraged remembrance of Allah in both private and communal life, presenting dhikr as a means of spiritual purification, inner peace, and nearness to Allah.
The Qurʾān repeatedly commands believers to engage in dhikr. Allah states: “O you who believe, remember Allah with much remembrance” (Qurʾān 33:41). Another verse declares: “Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” (Qurʾān 13:28). The Qurʾān also connects remembrance of Allah with divine remembrance of the believer: “So remember Me; I will remember you” (Qurʾān 2:152). Classical exegetes understood these verses as evidence that dhikr strengthens the relationship between the servant and Allah while protecting the believer from heedlessness (ghaflah).
The sunnah of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ further elaborates the importance and forms of dhikr. Numerous aḥādīth describe the Prophet ﷺ engaging in constant remembrance of Allah throughout the day and night. In one well-known report, he said: “The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like the living and the dead.”³ This ḥadīth emphasizes that dhikr is not merely a ritual act but a sign of spiritual life itself. The Prophet ﷺ also taught foundational phrases of remembrance such as subḥān Allāh (Glory be to Allah), al-ḥamdu lillāh (Praise be to Allah), Allāhu akbar (Allah is Greatest), and lā ilāha illā Allāh (There is no deity except Allah), which became central to Muslim devotional practice.
In conclusion, dhikr constitutes a foundational dimension of Islamic spirituality and worship. The Qurʾān and sunnah present the remembrance of Allah as a means of attaining spiritual vitality, inner tranquility, and sustained faith. Through verbal invocation, ritual prayer, Qurʾānic recitation, and continuous awareness of Allah, believers cultivate an enduring consciousness of the divine presence in all aspects of life. The practice of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ established dhikr as both an individual devotional discipline and a comprehensive ethical-spiritual orientation that shapes the moral and religious life of the Muslim community.
## References
1 Qurʾān 2:152; 13:28; 33:41. 2