Ramadan is, in essence, the month of remembrance of Allah. Just as the best deeds are tied to remembrance, the best pilgrims are those who engage in it abundantly, the greatest warriors strive most in remembering Allah, and the most virtuous fasting individuals are those who remain engaged in divine remembrance.
Remembrance (Zikr) is the best means of drawing closer to the Lord. It is a gateway that always remains open between a servant and his Creator—unless the servant himself, through heedlessness, shuts it. Allah Almighty has praised those who engage in remembrance and has regarded it as a means of forgiveness when He says: “يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا” (Al-Ahzab: 41-42) Translation: “O you who have believed! Remember Allah abundantly and glorify Him morning and evening.”
In another place, He has said: ”وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ” (Al-Jumu’ah: 10) Translation: “And remember Allah abundantly so that you may succeed.”
He also says: “وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا” (Al-Ahzab: 35) Translation: “And the men and women who remember Allah abundantly—Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.”
Remembrance (Zikr) is one of the greatest and purest acts in the sight of the Lord. Abu Darda (MABH) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Shall I not inform you of the best of your deeds, the purest in the sight of your Lord, the highest in rank, better than spending gold and silver in charity, and even superior to confronting your enemies, striking their necks, and them striking yours?” The Sahaba said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” He replied, “The remembrance of Allah.”
If you wish to always be safe from the punishment and wrath of the Lord, then engage in abundant remembrance of Allah, for where the remembrance of Allah is present, His punishment does not descend. Mu’adh ibn Jabal (MABH) said: “Nothing is more effective in saving a person from Allah’s punishment than the remembrance of Allah.”
How Should We Engage in Zikr?
In reality, any word or phrase that includes the remembrance of Allah is considered Zikr. Saying Allah is Zikr, saying SubhanAllah is Zikr, and mentioning Allah’s beautiful names (Asma al-Husna) is also a form of Zikr.
The minimum level of Zikr is to recite the supplications that the Teacher of Goodness and the Leader of the Righteous—the Prophet (PBUH)—has taught us. These include morning and evening supplications, supplications before sleeping and upon waking, supplications after prayers, and those for entering and leaving the house, mosque, or private spaces. There are also supplications related to natural events, such as rain and thunder.
Books titled Daily Acts of Worship have been written on this subject, providing a comprehensive guide for benefiting from these supplications.
The best form of Zikr (praying) is saying: «لا إله إلا الله» Translation: “There is no god but Allah.” However, in certain situations, other supplications may take precedence, such as: – سبحان الله: “Glory be to Allah.” – الحمد لله: “All praise is due to Allah.” – الله أكبر: “Allah is the Greatest.” – لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله: “There is no power and no strength except with Allah.”
A remembrance (Zikr) which is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise is narrated in the Sahihayn (two most authentic hadith collections) from Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (MABH), who said: The Prophet (PBUH) said: “O Abu Musa! Or O Abdullah ibn Qais! Shall I not guide you to a treasure from the treasures of Paradise?” I said, “Yes!” He (PBUH) said: لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The Zikr of لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله makes hardships bearable, eases difficulties, and grants a person lofty rank.”
Ibn Qayyim (MABH) narrated that he heard Ibn Taymiyyah say: “When the angels were commanded to carry the Throne, they said, ‘O Lord! How can we carry Your Throne while it is so majestic and great?’ Allah said, لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله.… “When they said it, they were able to carry it.”
The Importance of Zikr (Rosary)
The remembrance of Allah is the food of the heart and the source of its life. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like that of the living and the dead.”
Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Zikr for the heart is like water for a fish. so see how a fish feels when it is taken out of water!”
A man came to Hasan al-Basri and said: “O Abu Sa’id! I complain to you about the hardness of my heart.” Hasan al-Basri replied: “Softening your heart comes with remembrance.” Similarly, when some people complained to Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) about the hardness of their hearts, she said: “Bring it closer to Zikr”—meaning, soften hardened hearts with the remembrance of Allah.
It is reported in the narrations that the palaces of Paradise are built with Zikr. Whenever the person who is remembering Allah stops, the angels stop building. But when they resume the Zikr, the angels continue their work.
Benefits of Zikr (Rosary)
Zikr has countless benefits. As Ibn Qayyim (MABH) stated, he mentioned over seventy benefits of it. Here are some of them:
1. It brings the pleasure of the Lord (Al-Aziz, Al-Jalil).
2. It subdues and destroys Satan.
3. It brings a person to the station of watchfulness (muraqabah) and excellence (ihsan). Without the remembrance of Allah, no one reaches this rank. Just as a person sitting cannot reach his destination, someone heedless of Allah’s remembrance cannot achieve the station of ihsan.
4. Zikr removes worries and distress.
5. Zikr opens the heart and fills the soul with joy.
6. Zikr brings the heart to life and attracts the love of Allah and His Messenger.
7. Zikr benefits its practitioner in times of hardship.
8. Zikr provides safety from regret and fear on the Day of Judgment.
9. Due to Zikr, a person develops independence in the heart, and it strengthens their resolve and determination.
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