In the Quran, Allah says: "When My servants ask about Me, I am indeed close to them. I listen to the prayer of every supplicant, when he calls on me. Let them also, with a will, listen to my call, and believe in me, so that they may walk in the right way" (Quran 2:186).
The word dua in Arabic means "calling" - the act of remembering Allah and calling upon Him.
Aside from the daily prayers, Muslims are encouraged to call upon Allah for forgiveness, guidance, and strength throughout the day. Muslims can make these personal supplications or prayers (dua) in their own words, in any language, but there are also recommended examples from the Quran and Sunnah.
As parents, we should try and teach our children this and try to make our home, a place where Allah is remembered.
Supplication or Dua to Allah is of paramount importance in Islam. The benefits of supplication are immense as are its virtues. Supplication is an act of obedience to Allah. By offering supplications, we are actually carrying out Allah’s command.
Allah says: “And your Lord said: Supplicate to Me, I shall answer you.” [Surah Ghâfir: 60]
There are many supplications that the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us to say in different situations. With this in mind, below are some free printable supplications. InshaAllah, the hope is that you will print them and put them in your homes as a reminder to your families.
.....Supplications for when you wake up...
Laa illaha illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay'in Qadeer Subhaanallahi, walhamdu lillaahi, wa laa 'ilaha 'illallahu, wallaahu 'akbar, wa laa hawla wa laa Quwwata 'illaa billaahil-'Aliyyil-'Adheem, Rabbighfir lee.
Translation
There is none worth of worship but Allah alone, who has no partner, His is the dominion and to Him Belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things. Glory is to Allah. Praise is to Allah. There is none worth of worship but Allah. Allah is the Most Great. There is no might and no powers except by Allah’s leave, the Exalted, the Mighty. My Lord, forgive me.
Reference:
Whoever says this will be forgiven, and if he supplicates Allah, his prayer will be answered; if he performs ablution and prays, his prayer will be accepted. Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 3/39, among others. The wording here is from Ibn Majah 2/335.
What to say after completing the prayer
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay'in Qadeer, Allaahumma laa maard'a limaa 'a'tayta, wa laa mu'tiya limaa mana'ta, wa laa yanfa'u thal-jaddi minkal-jadd.
Translation
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, He has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things. O Allah, there is none who can withhold what you give, and none may give what you have withheld; and the might of the mighty person cannot benefit him against you.
Reference:
Al-Bukhari 1/255, Muslim 1/414.
…..What to say after completing the prayer……
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay 'in Qadeer. Laa hawla wa laa quwwata 'illaa billaahi, laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu, wa laa na'budu 'illaa 'iyyaahu, lahun-ni'matu wa lahul-fadhlu wa lahuth-thanaa'ul-hasanu, laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu mukhliseena lahud-deena wa law karihal-kaafiroon.
Translation
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, He has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise and He is Able to do all things. There is no power and no might except by Allah. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and we do not worship any other besides Him. His is grace, and His is bounty and to Him belongs the most excellent praise. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. (We are) sincere in making our religious devotion to Him, even though the disbelievers may dislike it.
Reference:
Muslim 1/415.
What to say after completing the prayer
Subhaanallaahi, walhamdu lillaahi wallaahu 'Akbar, - Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamduwaHuwa'alaaKULLIshay'inQadeer
Translation
Glory is to Allah. , and praise is to Allah , and Allah is the Most Great (each said thirty-three times). None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, He has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise and He is Able to do all things.
Reference:
Muslim 1/418, whoever says this after every prayer will be forgiven his sins even though they are as the foam of the sea.
What to say after completing the prayer
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu yuhyee wa yumeetu wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay'in Qadeer.
Translation
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise. He brings life and He causes death, and He is Able to do all things. (Recite ten times in Arabic after the Maghrib and Fajr prayers.)
Reference:
At-Tirmithi 5/515, Ahmad 4/227. See its checking in Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah's Zddul-Ma'ad 1/300.
Words of remembrance for morning and evening
Allaahumma 'Aalimal-ghaybi wash-shahaadati faatiras-samaawaati wal'ardhi, Rabba KULLI shay 'in wa maleekahu, 'ash-hadu 'an laa 'ilaaha 'illaa 'Anta, 'a'oothu bika min sham nafsee, wa min sharrish-shaytaani wa shirkihi, wa 'an 'aqtarifa 'alaa nafsee soo'an, 'aw 'ajurrahu 'ilaa Muslimin.
Translation
O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the evident, Maker of the heavens and the earth, Lord of everything and its Possessor, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but you. I seek refuge in you from the evil of my soul and from the evil of Satan and his helpers. (I seek refuge in you) from bringing evil upon my soul and from harming any Muslim.
Reference:
Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/142 and AbuDawud.
Words of remembrance for morning and evening
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay'in Qadeer.
Translation
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise and He is Able to do all things. (Recite ten times 1 in Arabic or one time to ward off laziness.) 2
Reference:
1Allah will write ten Hasanaat (rewards) for whoever recites this ten times in the morning, and forgive him ten misdeeds and give him the reward of freeing ten slaves and protect him from Satan. Whoever recites this ten times in the evening will get this same reward. An-Nasa'i, 'Amalul-Yawm wal-Laylah (no. 24). Its chain of transmission is sound (Sahih). Albani 1/272. Abu Hurayrah R.A. narrated that the Prophet SAW said: "Allah will write one hundred Hasanat for whoever says, There is no God but Allah alone, He has no partner. To Allah is possession of everything, and to Him all praise is. He is Capable of all things' ten times in the morning, and forgives him one hundred misdeeds. He will have the reward of freeing a slave and will be protected from Satan throughout the day unto dusk. Whoever says it in the evening will have the same reward." Ahmad 8/704, 16/293. Its chain of transmission is good (Hasan), Ibn Baz, p. 44.
2 Whoever recites this in the morning, will have the reward of freeing a slave from the Children of Isma'il. Ten Hasanaat (rewards) will be written for him, and he will be forgiven ten misdeeds, raised up ten degrees, and be protected from Satan until evening. Whoever says it in the evening will have the same reward until morning. Abu Dawud 4/319, 3/957, Ahmad 4/ 60, Ibn Majah 2/331, Ibn Al-Qayyim Zadul-Ma'ad 2/388. Its chain of transmission is sound (Sahih). Al-Albani 1/270.
Words of remembrance for morning and evening
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay'in Qadeer.
Translation
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise and He is Able to do all things. (Recite 100 times in Arabic upon rising in the morning).
Reference:
Whoever recites this one hundred times a day will have the reward of freeing ten slaves. One hundred Hasanaat (rewards) will be written for him and one hundred misdeeds will be washed away. He will be shielded from Satan until the evening. No one will be able to present anything better than this except for someone who has recited more than this. Al-Bukhari 4/95, Muslim 4/2071.
What to say before sleeping
Allaahumma 'Aalimal-ghaybi wash-shahaadati faatiras-samaawaati wal'ardhi, Rabba KULLI shay 'in wa maleekahu, 'ash-hadu 'an laa 'ilaaha 'illaa 'Anta, 'a'oothu bika min sharri nafsee, wa min sharrish-shaytaani wa shirkihi, wa 'an 'aqtarifa 'alaa nafsee soo 'an, 'aw 'ajurrahu 'ilaa Muslimin.
Translation
O Allah, Knower of the unseen and the evident, Maker of the heavens and the earth, Lord of everything and its Master, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but you. I seek refuge in you from the evil of my soul and from the evil of Satan and his helpers. (I seek refuge in you) from bringing evil upon my soul and from harming any Muslim.
Reference:
Abu Dawud 4/317. See also Al-Albani, Sahih-Tirmithi 3/142.
What to say before sleeping
Allaahumma Rabbas-samaawaatis-sab'i wa Rabbal-'Arshil-'Adheem, Rabbanaa wa Rabba KULLI shay 'in, faaliqal-habbi wannawaa , wa munzilat-Tawraati wal-'Injeeli, wal-Furqaani, 'a'oothu bika min sharri KULLI shay 'in 'Anta 'aakhithun binaasiyatihi. Allaahumma 'Antal-'Awwalu falaysa qablaka shay'un, wa 'Antal-'Aakhiru falaysa ba'daka shay'un, wa 'Antadh-Dhaahiru falaysa fawqaka shay'un, wa 'Antal-Baatinu falaysa doonaka shay'un, iqdhi 'annad-dayna wa 'aghninaa minal-faqri.
Translation
O Allah! Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Magnificent Throne. Our Lord and the Lord of everything, splitter of the grain and the date-stone. Revealer of the Torah and the Injeel1 and the Furqan (the Quran), I seek refuge in You from the evil of everything that You shall seize by the forelock.2 O Allah You are the First and nothing has come before you, and You are the Last, and nothing may come after You. You are the Most High, nothing is above you and you are the Most Near and nothing is nearer than you. Remove our debts from us and enrich us against poverty. 3
Reference:
1 The Scripture that was revealed to 'Isa (Jesus).
2 See: Quran Al-'Alaq 96:15, where seizure by the forelock proceeds being cast into Hell.
3 Muslim 4/2084.
Invocations in times of worry and grief
Allaahumma 'innee 'abduka, ibnu 'abdika, ibnu 'amatika, naasiyatee biyadika, maadhin fiyya hukmuka, 'adlun fiyya qadhaa'uka, 'as'aluka biKULLI ismin huwa laka, sammayta bihi nafsaka, 'aw 'anzaltahu fee kitaabika, 'aw 'allamtahu 'ahadan min khalqika, 'awista'tharta bihi fee 'ilmil-ghaybi 'indaka, 'an taj'alal-Qur'aana rabee'a qalbee, wa noora sadree, wa jalaa'a huznee, wa thahaaba hammee .
Translation
O Allah, I am your slave and the son of your male slave and the son of your female slave. My forehead is in Your Hand (i.e. you have control over me). Your Judgment upon me is assured and Your Decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every Name that You have named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught any one of Your creation or kept unto Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen that is with You, to make the Quran the spring of my heart, and the light of my chest, the banisher of my sadness and the reliever of my distress.
Reference:
Ahmad 1/391 and Al-Albani graded it authentic.
Invocations for if you are stricken by in your faith
Huwal-'Awwalu wal-'Aakhiru wadh-Dhaahiru wal-Baatinu, wa Huwa biKULLI shay'in 'Aleem. (Recite the Ayah)
Translation
He is the First and the Last, the Most High and the Most Near. And He is the Knower of all things (in Arabic).
Reference:
Al-Hadid 57:3, Abu Dawud 4/329. Al-Albani graded it good in SahihAbu Dawud, 3/962.
-------How to seek Allah's protection for children-------
The Prophet (SAW) used to seek Allah's protection for Al-Hasan and Al-Husain by saying:
'U'eethukumaa bikalimaatil-laahit-taammati min KULLI shaytaanin wa haammatin, wa min KULLI 'aynin laammatin.
I seek protection for you in the Perfect Words of Allah from every devil and every beast, and from every envious blameworthy eye.
Reference:
Al-Bukhari4/119.
Invocation for entering a market
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, yuhyee wa yumeetu, wa Huwa hayyun laa yamootu, biyadihil-khayru, wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay'in Qadeer.
Translation
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise. He brings life and He causes death, and He is living and does not die. In His Hand is all good, and He is Able to do all things.
Reference:
At-Tirmithi 5/291, and Al-Hakim 1/538. Al-Albani graded it good in Sahih Ibn Majah 2/21 and Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/152.
What to say if something happens to please you or to displease you
When something happened that pleased him, the Prophet (SAW) used to say:
Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee bini'matihi tatimmus-saalihaat.
And if something happened that displeased him, he used to say:
Alhamdu lillaahi 'alaa KULLI haal.
When something happened that pleased him, the Prophet (SAW) used to say:
Praise is to Allah Who by His blessings all good things are perfected.
And if something happened that displeased him, he used to say:
Praise is to Allah in all circumstances.
Reference:
Ibn As-Sunni, 'Amalul-Yawm wal-Laylah, and Al-Hakim who graded it authentic 1/499. See also Al-Albani, Sahihul-Jami' As-Saghir 4/201.
Invocation to be recited while standing at Safa and Marwah
Whenever the Prophet (SAW) approached Mount Safa, he would recite:
'Innas-Safaa wal-Marwata min sha'aa'irillaah. 'Abda'u bimaa bada'allaahu bihi.
He began (his Say) at Mount Safa climbing it until he could see the House. He then faced the Qiblah repeating the words:
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaah, Allaahu 'Akbar
Then he said:
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay'in Qadeer, laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu ilahaahu, 'anjaza wa'dahu, wa nasara 'abdahu, wa hazamal 'ahzaaba wahdahu.
Then he would ask Allah for what he liked, repeating the same thing like this three times. He did at Mount Marwah as he did at Mount Safa.
Whenever the Prophet (SAW) approached Mount Safa, he would recite:
Surely Safa and Marwah are among the signs of Allah. I begin by that which Allah began.
He began (his Say) at Mount Safa climbing it until he could see the House. He then faced the Qiblah repeating the words:
There is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is the Most Great.
Then he said:
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, who has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, He fulfilled His Promise, He aided His slave, and He alone defeated Confederates.
Then he would ask Allah for what he liked, repeating the same thing like this three times. He did at Mount Marwah as he did at Mount Safa.
Reference:
Muslim 2/888.
Invocation to be recited on the Day of Arafat
The Prophet (SAW) said: The best invocation is that of the Day of Arafat, and the best that anyone can say is what I and the Prophets before me have said:
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay'in Qadeer.
The Prophet (SAW) said: The best invocation is that of the Day of Arafat, and the best that anyone can say is what I and the Prophets before me have said:
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.
Reference:
At-Tirmithi. Al-Albani graded it good in Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/184, and also Silsilatul-'Ahadith As-Sahih 4/6.
What to say to foil the devil's plots
'A'oothu bikalimaatil-laahit-taammaatil-latee laa yujaawizuhunna barrun wa laa faajimn min sharri maa khalaqa, wa bara'a wa thara'a, wa min sharri maa yanzilu minas-samaa'i, wa min sharri maa ya'ruju feehaa, wa min sharri maa thara'a fil-'ardhi, wa min sharri ma yakhruju minhaa, wa min sharri fitanil-layli wannahaari, wa min sharri KULLI taariqin 'illaa taariqan yatruqu bikhayrin yaa Rahmaan.
Translation: I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah -which neither the upright nor the corrupt may overcome - from the evil of what He created, of what He made, and of what He scattered, from the evil of what descends from the heavens, and of what rises up to them, from the evil of what He scattered in the earth and of what emerges from it, from the evil trials of night and day, and from the evil of every night visitor, except the night visitor who comes with good. O Merciful One.
Reference:
Ahmad 3/419, with an authentic chain of narration, and Ibn As-Sunni (no. 637). Al-Arna’ut graded its chain authentic in his checking of Al-'Aqidah At-Tahawiyyah p. 133. See also Majma'uz-Zawa'id, 10/127.
The excellence of remembering Allah
Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: Whoever says:
Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa KULLI shay'in Qadeer.
Ten times, Will have the reward for freeing four slaves, from the Children of Isma'il.
Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: Whoever says:
Translation
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.
Ten times, will have the reward for freeing four slaves from the Children of Isma'il.
Reference:
Al-Bukhari 7/67, Muslim 4/2071, sees also invocation no. 93 of this book.
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Monday, 14 December 2009
Sunnah of our Holy Prophet (saw)
Bismi Allahir Rahmanir Raheem. All praise is for Allah, the Most High, the Lord of the Worlds. Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon all the Prophets of Allah, especially our Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa aalihi wa as-haabihi wa sallam).
Muslims realize that Islam is more than a religion, it is a way of life. The demands, expectations, and benefits of being Muslim stem greatly from our ability to worship Allah and remember Him constantly. The aspect of Zikr, the remembrance of Allah, is part of "what sets apart the living from the dead" (Bukhari).
"Remembrance Of Allah"
'Dhikr Allah'
"O believers! Remember Allah as a frequent remembrance,
and glorify Him morning and evening."
Al- Quran [al-Ahzaab, 33:41-42]
"Therefore, remember Me, and, I will remember you,
be grateful to Me and never deny Me."
Al- Quran [al-Baqarah, 2:152]
Assalamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
Allahu Ta'ala says in the glorious Qur'an:
"O man (Insan)! What has lured you away from your gracious Lord [Rabbikal-Kareem] ?"
(Ya ayyuha al-insanu ma gharraka bi-rabbika al-kareem?) [Surah al-Infitaar - 82:6]
This world, the Dunya, will take a person away from Allah, who busies himself in the worldly businesses and who does not remember Allah in any time. Allah says:
"He who turns away from the remembrance of Rahman (Allah, the Compassionate) ,
We assign a Satan (Shaytan) for him, who becomes his intimate companion - and
turns such people away from the Right Path, while they think that they are guided aright."
[az-Zukhruf - 43:36-37]
We have reached to a point where even our Salah (prayer) is empty of Allah's remembrance. Allah said: "... worship Me and establish Salah for My remembrance." [Ta-ha, 20:14]. But unfortunately our Salah (prayer) is filled with the thoughts of this world rather than the Remembrance of Rahman.
If the worldly businesses take us away from Dhikr Allah ( Allah's Remembrance) , we will forget Him. And the one who has forgotten Allah, Allah will also forget him and He might not listen to his supplications (Du'a). So, what could be a cause of the unacceptance of our Du'a? Our hearts are preoccupied with Dunya rather than His Remembrance. Allah will say to those who forget Allah and do not prepare for the Akhirah: "Now taste the reward for your forgetting the meeting of this Day - We too have forgotten you now..." [32:14]. Therefore,
"O believers! Let neither your riches nor your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah.
Those who will do so, it is they who shall be the real losers."
[al-Munafiqoon - 63:9]
Allah mentions in the Quran about those true Muslims who prefer the hereafter over this Dunya. These people make Dhikr, perform Salah and observe other duties; and their worldly businesses do not affect their worship. Qur'an says:
"In houses, which Allah has ordered to be raised,
in them His Name is glorified in the mornings and
in the afternoons or the evenings,
(By) men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them
from the Remembrance of Allah (thikri Allahi),
nor from performing As-Salat (prayer),
nor from giving the Zakat.
They fear a Day (the Day of Judgement)
when hearts and eyes will be overturned."
[An-Noor - 24:36-37]
If we remember Allah, Allah will also remember us (listen to us). Allah says: "Therefore, remember Me, and, I will remember you, be grateful to Me and never deny Me." [al-Baqarah, 2:152]. Allah's remembrance (Dhikr Allah) should be observed in the Masajid and also when we are outside the Masajid. In fact, Allah's remembrance should be in the hearts of the believers at all times. And His glorification should be on our tongues at all times as well. Allah says:
"O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance,
and glorify Him morning and evening."
[al-Ahzaab, 33:41-42]
"And remember your Lord within yourself (deep in your soul, fee nafsika),
humbly and with fear without loudness in words
in the mornings, and in the afternoons and
be not of those who are neglectful.
[al-A'araaf - 7:205]
Who has created the sun, the moon, the heavens and this earth! It is Allah, therefore, Subhan Allah! Who has guided us to Islam, provided us with sustenance (food, drink, clothes etc)! It is Allah, therefore, Alhamdu-lillah! Who is the Most Powerful, the Majestic, Maliki Yawmi-Deen! Allahu Akbar! Who forgives the mistakes and the sins? It is Allah, we say Astaghfirullah. Therefore, a Muslim can remember his Rabb at all the times; while in the Masajid and while in the midst of this world. Rahman says:
"Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,
- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding,
- Men who celebrate the praises of Allah,
standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides,
and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth,
(with the thought): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You!
Give us salvation from the Chastisement of the Fire."
[Aal-e-Imran - 3:190-191]
Once we start to praise Allah with our hearts, then shall we be able to feel the sweetness of Rahman's Dikhr. For example, many of us pray Salah without knowing the meanings of what we say, and many of us know the meanings but we do not concentrate on what we say. We should pray with the certainty that we are standing in front of Rabbul 'Aalameen, standing with sincerity and devotion, with fear and hope of His Mercy. When we say anything in As-Salah, we should express that it is said directly to Him (Allah). We say:
{ Subhana ka-Allah humma
(You are Glorified, O Allah!)
wabi hamdika
(and Praised! )
watabara kasmuka
(Your Name is Blessed!)
wata'ala jad-duka
(Your Majesty is Exalted! )
wala ilaha ghairuk"
(and none has the right to be worshipped but You!) }
"Allahu Akbar"
(Allah is the Greatest)
"Sub-hana Rabbi Yal Atheem"
(Glory be to my Lord who is the very Greatest)
"Samee 'Allah hu liman hameeda"
(Allah listens to the one who praises Him)
"Rab-bana lakal hamd"
(Our Lord, all the praises be to You)
"Sub-hana Rabbi yal A'ala"
(Glory be to my Lord, the Most High)
Ibn 'Umar (radi Allahu anh) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) told them:
"A servant of Allah said 'My Lord! All praise is for You as much as Your Glory and Sublime Majesty rightly deserve. ' This was too much for the two angels to record. They did not know how to record it. So they soared to the heaven and said, 'Our Lord! Your servant has said something which we don't know how to record?' Allah asked them--and, of course, He knew what the servant had said--'What did My servant say?' They said, 'He has said, "My Lord! All praise is for You as much as Your Glory and Sublime Majesty rightly deserve." Allah said to them, ' Write it down as My servant has said until he should meet Me and I reward him for it'.' (Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Majah)
May Allah forgive us and accept our good deeds. May Allah guide us to the best ways in which we should Praise Him, Glorify Him. May Allah keep our hearts attached to Him. Once our hearts are filled with the Dhikr of Rahman, insha'Allah, we will have no interest of whatsoever in this Dunya. The light of Allah's Dhikr fills up the heart and the heart becomes satisfied with what it needs. Allah says "Beware! It is the remembrance of Allah which provides tranquility to the hearts!" [ala bithikri Allahi tatmainnu alquloobu!] (13:28). Anything other than His Remembrance or this Dunya will not satisfy our hearts!
"Therefore, remember Me, and, I will remember you, be grateful to Me and never deny Me." [al-Baqarah, 2:152]
Allah's Messenger (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said:
Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, thus stated: I am near to the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers Me. And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My Heart, and if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his (remembrance) , and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near Me by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands. And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him. [Sahih Muslim]
While many aspects of Zikr are specifically defined for us, such as Hajj once in our lifetime, fasting in Ramadan once a year, praying in congregation at least once a week (on Friday) and praying five times a day, the times between are not meant to be void of thoughts of Allah.
Here are some ways to incorporate and ensure Zikr in our everyday lives:
1- If you want or need or desire something, regardless of what it is, ask Allah for it first
Allah says in the Holy Quran, "Call on Me. I will answer your prayer, but those who are too arrogant to serve me will surely find themselves humiliated in Hell" (40:60). Taking the time to remember and ask Allah, serves not only as humbling experiences, but forces you to realize that Allah wants us to remember Him, to ask of Him, and put our trust in Him.
Whether it is in times of distress or in times of joy, creating a habit of sincere supplication toward Allah increases your Zikr According to Abu Huraira, "The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, reported that, whoever wants Allah to answer his prayers during difficult times, should supplicate to Him more and more in times of ease."
2. Be aware of your words
It becomes second nature for many Muslims to say "Assalam Alaikum" (Peace and blessings be upon you) when they meet a fellow Muslim, or to say Alhumdu lillah (all thanks be to Allah) without ever really thinking about what it means. While it is good to say these words, if we put our hearts into them, we will be humbling ourselves and performing Zikr at the same time.
So use words like Insha Allah (God willing), Maa shaa Allah, when you are praising something and Bismillah (in the name of God) before you begin anything. Being aware of Allah at all times will help keep you from doing something unIslamic.
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said, "Renew your faith." "How can we renew our faith?" they asked. The Prophet replied, "say always, 'La ilaha ill-Allah' (there is none worthy of worship except Allah).".
Jabir reported that the Prophet said, "the best remembrance of Allah is to repeat La ilaha illa Allah and the best prayer is Alhumdu lillah (all praise is due to Allah).".
3.Surround yourself with those that remember Allah
What we discuss when we are in congregation can also be Zikr. Said b. Jubair said, "anyone engaged in obeying Allah is in fact engaged in the remembrance of Allah."
Some early scholars according to Fiqh us-Sunnah said, "the gatherings of Zikr are the gatherings where the lawful and the prohibited things are discussed, for instance, selling, buying, prayers, fasting, marriage, divorce, and pilgrimage."
The Prophet reportedly told ibn Umar that, "There are some angels of Allah who go about looking for such assemblies or circles of Zikr, and when they find them they surround them."
"When any group of men remember Allah, angels surround them and mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him" (Abu Huraira and Abu Said Al Khudri).
Thus, surrounding yourself with other people remembering Allah contributes and heightens the purpose of Zikr, which is to purify ones heart and soul and to awaken the human conscience.
4. Do charity
Often times, we need to see how blessed we are, by helping those who are not as fortunate. Whether it is volunteering at a homeless shelter, teaching small children or visiting with the elderly, by taking time out of our lives to help others for the sake of Allah, we better ourselves.
The Holy Quran says, remembrance of Allah "is wider than Prayer: it includes silent contemplation, and active service of Allah and His Creatures. The regular Prayers and regular charity are the social acts performed through the organized community" (24:37).
We also need to realize the role we should play in our communities such as cleaning up a park, planting trees or helping our neighbors. By doing charity for those around us, we realize all the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah and remember Him in a more appreciative manner.
The Prophet said, "Charity is obligatory every day on every joint of a human being. If one helps a person in matters concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage onto it, all will be regarded as charity. A good word, and every step one takes to offer compulsory congregational prayer, is regarded as charity; and guiding somebody on the road is regarded as charity (Abu Huraira).
Keeping the importance of charity in mind and performing it for the sake of Allah, keeps Him in our thoughts and heart at all times.
Types of Zikr
There are three types of Zikr:
1. Practical
2. Verbal
3. Silent
1. Practical
Practical Zikr, also known as "Zikr-e-Faily", is performed with one's obedient actions. It comprises of obedience to:
i) The commandments of Allah (swt)
i.e. Prayer, Fasting, Hajj, umrah, Zakaat, charity etc
ii) The Sunnah of our Holy Prophet (saw)
i.e. eating, drinking, sleeping, walking, talking, dressing etc.
2. Verbal
Verbal Zikr, also known as "Zikr-e-Lisani", is observed with one's tongue. It comprises of:
i) Loud zikr; i.e. Azan, Takbir, Collective zikr etc
ii) Low tone zikr, i.e. Tasbihat, masnoon duas etc
3. Silent
Silent Zikr, also known as "Qalbi Zikr", "Zikr-e-Khafi" and "Daimi Zikr" is performed within one self.. There are many stages to silent zikr. The first and foremost of which is Qalbi Zikr: Remembrance of Allah (swt) from within the heart.
According to the Quran, the miraculous properties of the earth, the sky shading-over without support, the innumerable species of creatures residing within, the alternation of day and night and the unfailing, vast, miraculous universal system, all point towards the greatness of their Creator; but only for the one blessed with wisdom, “Those who constantly remember Allah, standing, sitting or reclining.” A human being will always be in one of these postures. This Divine verse implies that they are always engaged in Allah's Zikr under all conditions, at all times. Religious scholars have thus concluded that the alluded to verse doesn't refer to oral Zikr because the tongue cannot do Allah's Zikr all of the time; it has to translate many other human requirements, besides doing Zikr. Even if somebody doesn't speak a word except Allah's Zikr, his tongue will certainly remain quiet during his sleep. The only organ that can permanently perform Allah’s Zikr is the human heart and only Zikr-e Qalbi (Zikr by the heart) can fulfil the condition of constant Zikr. Once the heart learns Allah's Zikr, it never stops at any time, under any circumstances.
(Qalbi zikr is zikr of the heart it is where your heart does the zikr of Allah over and over again. To do this zikr just concentrate on you heart and with every beat imagine it is saying Al-lah, Al-lah,Al-lah. then you can do this through out the entire day and your entire life until you can hear with your own ears your heart saying Allah. Dahmi zikr is with your breath. When you breath in you say Allah and when you breath out you say hu. Once you have learned both types of zikr continue doing them for ever and the rest of you life. If you can multi task then do both. Dahmi and qalbi zikr and if you want to be more advanced in doing zikr then instead of doing both zikrs with just saying Allah you can change dahmi zikr to la illaha when you breath in and illah Allah when you breath out whilst your qalb is continuously saying Allah. Note: when you recite the zikr it should be in your head only not out loud. Soon you will naturally with your own ears hear your heart with every beat and your breath with every breath you take it will be doing the zikr of the name of Allah without you having to think about it.)
If we look into the Quran we will find that the word “ Zikr ” occurs 268 times in the Quran and has 63 derivatives used in the Book, the Quran. This word “ Zikr ” has many connotations in Islam. Its almost opposite is “ Nissiyane ” (forgetting). This verb occurs 45 times in the Quran; and 28 of its derivatives have also been mentioned in the sacred Book.
The root of Zikr is Za-Kaf-Ra . Some of its meanings are:
Az-Zikro Wattazk'aro : It means to preserve something, to keep alive in mind; this word is used opposite to NASYUN , which means to forget (6:68)
At tazkerato : It means
To remind something which is needed
The Quran has also been called As-Zikro because it contains the history and Causes or Laws for the rise and fall of nations
Zikrun also means to remain steadfast in the battlefield and thus ensures the supremacy of Divine Laws. The Divine Laws are also called Zikrullah (39:23). It has also been used in the context of dignity, honour, respect, fame and saying something good (43:44)
Verse (2:152) says Faz Kurunee Azkur Kum -‘You keep in view My Laws and I shall protect your rights and grace you with dignity and honour'
In short Zikr means
1.To remain steadfast in the battle field
2. Ponder over the secrets of nature
3.Take lesson from the previous history of nations
4.Keep in view the Divine Laws and take decisions accordingly
5.Propagate or give publicity to the Divine Laws
6.These are the steps which install peace of mind (13:28) and not the rotation of beads or retreating to the caves or hujras
Keep these meanings in view, study the Quran and grasp the places where this word has been used. You will understand the real perspective and get the action verbs commanding you to do the things practically.
Who says islam is demanding.Its so easy to folow. You can do zikr all the time, just saying assalamualaykum is a zikr..wow. helping someone is a charity.its so easy . we can do it without any effort and one day it will become a way of our life without our knowing it. and then allah will start bestowing us with his mercy and he will show us the straight path. all we need to do is start doing zikr and small charities. make it a way of our lives. and inshallan all pieces will start falling into place automatically. all you need is an intention...that will be your deciding factor, that always is.
Muslims realize that Islam is more than a religion, it is a way of life. The demands, expectations, and benefits of being Muslim stem greatly from our ability to worship Allah and remember Him constantly. The aspect of Zikr, the remembrance of Allah, is part of "what sets apart the living from the dead" (Bukhari).
"Remembrance Of Allah"
'Dhikr Allah'
"O believers! Remember Allah as a frequent remembrance,
and glorify Him morning and evening."
Al- Quran [al-Ahzaab, 33:41-42]
"Therefore, remember Me, and, I will remember you,
be grateful to Me and never deny Me."
Al- Quran [al-Baqarah, 2:152]
Assalamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
Allahu Ta'ala says in the glorious Qur'an:
"O man (Insan)! What has lured you away from your gracious Lord [Rabbikal-Kareem] ?"
(Ya ayyuha al-insanu ma gharraka bi-rabbika al-kareem?) [Surah al-Infitaar - 82:6]
This world, the Dunya, will take a person away from Allah, who busies himself in the worldly businesses and who does not remember Allah in any time. Allah says:
"He who turns away from the remembrance of Rahman (Allah, the Compassionate) ,
We assign a Satan (Shaytan) for him, who becomes his intimate companion - and
turns such people away from the Right Path, while they think that they are guided aright."
[az-Zukhruf - 43:36-37]
We have reached to a point where even our Salah (prayer) is empty of Allah's remembrance. Allah said: "... worship Me and establish Salah for My remembrance." [Ta-ha, 20:14]. But unfortunately our Salah (prayer) is filled with the thoughts of this world rather than the Remembrance of Rahman.
If the worldly businesses take us away from Dhikr Allah ( Allah's Remembrance) , we will forget Him. And the one who has forgotten Allah, Allah will also forget him and He might not listen to his supplications (Du'a). So, what could be a cause of the unacceptance of our Du'a? Our hearts are preoccupied with Dunya rather than His Remembrance. Allah will say to those who forget Allah and do not prepare for the Akhirah: "Now taste the reward for your forgetting the meeting of this Day - We too have forgotten you now..." [32:14]. Therefore,
"O believers! Let neither your riches nor your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah.
Those who will do so, it is they who shall be the real losers."
[al-Munafiqoon - 63:9]
Allah mentions in the Quran about those true Muslims who prefer the hereafter over this Dunya. These people make Dhikr, perform Salah and observe other duties; and their worldly businesses do not affect their worship. Qur'an says:
"In houses, which Allah has ordered to be raised,
in them His Name is glorified in the mornings and
in the afternoons or the evenings,
(By) men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them
from the Remembrance of Allah (thikri Allahi),
nor from performing As-Salat (prayer),
nor from giving the Zakat.
They fear a Day (the Day of Judgement)
when hearts and eyes will be overturned."
[An-Noor - 24:36-37]
If we remember Allah, Allah will also remember us (listen to us). Allah says: "Therefore, remember Me, and, I will remember you, be grateful to Me and never deny Me." [al-Baqarah, 2:152]. Allah's remembrance (Dhikr Allah) should be observed in the Masajid and also when we are outside the Masajid. In fact, Allah's remembrance should be in the hearts of the believers at all times. And His glorification should be on our tongues at all times as well. Allah says:
"O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance,
and glorify Him morning and evening."
[al-Ahzaab, 33:41-42]
"And remember your Lord within yourself (deep in your soul, fee nafsika),
humbly and with fear without loudness in words
in the mornings, and in the afternoons and
be not of those who are neglectful.
[al-A'araaf - 7:205]
Who has created the sun, the moon, the heavens and this earth! It is Allah, therefore, Subhan Allah! Who has guided us to Islam, provided us with sustenance (food, drink, clothes etc)! It is Allah, therefore, Alhamdu-lillah! Who is the Most Powerful, the Majestic, Maliki Yawmi-Deen! Allahu Akbar! Who forgives the mistakes and the sins? It is Allah, we say Astaghfirullah. Therefore, a Muslim can remember his Rabb at all the times; while in the Masajid and while in the midst of this world. Rahman says:
"Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,
- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding,
- Men who celebrate the praises of Allah,
standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides,
and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth,
(with the thought): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You!
Give us salvation from the Chastisement of the Fire."
[Aal-e-Imran - 3:190-191]
Once we start to praise Allah with our hearts, then shall we be able to feel the sweetness of Rahman's Dikhr. For example, many of us pray Salah without knowing the meanings of what we say, and many of us know the meanings but we do not concentrate on what we say. We should pray with the certainty that we are standing in front of Rabbul 'Aalameen, standing with sincerity and devotion, with fear and hope of His Mercy. When we say anything in As-Salah, we should express that it is said directly to Him (Allah). We say:
{ Subhana ka-Allah humma
(You are Glorified, O Allah!)
wabi hamdika
(and Praised! )
watabara kasmuka
(Your Name is Blessed!)
wata'ala jad-duka
(Your Majesty is Exalted! )
wala ilaha ghairuk"
(and none has the right to be worshipped but You!) }
"Allahu Akbar"
(Allah is the Greatest)
"Sub-hana Rabbi Yal Atheem"
(Glory be to my Lord who is the very Greatest)
"Samee 'Allah hu liman hameeda"
(Allah listens to the one who praises Him)
"Rab-bana lakal hamd"
(Our Lord, all the praises be to You)
"Sub-hana Rabbi yal A'ala"
(Glory be to my Lord, the Most High)
Ibn 'Umar (radi Allahu anh) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) told them:
"A servant of Allah said 'My Lord! All praise is for You as much as Your Glory and Sublime Majesty rightly deserve. ' This was too much for the two angels to record. They did not know how to record it. So they soared to the heaven and said, 'Our Lord! Your servant has said something which we don't know how to record?' Allah asked them--and, of course, He knew what the servant had said--'What did My servant say?' They said, 'He has said, "My Lord! All praise is for You as much as Your Glory and Sublime Majesty rightly deserve." Allah said to them, ' Write it down as My servant has said until he should meet Me and I reward him for it'.' (Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Majah)
May Allah forgive us and accept our good deeds. May Allah guide us to the best ways in which we should Praise Him, Glorify Him. May Allah keep our hearts attached to Him. Once our hearts are filled with the Dhikr of Rahman, insha'Allah, we will have no interest of whatsoever in this Dunya. The light of Allah's Dhikr fills up the heart and the heart becomes satisfied with what it needs. Allah says "Beware! It is the remembrance of Allah which provides tranquility to the hearts!" [ala bithikri Allahi tatmainnu alquloobu!] (13:28). Anything other than His Remembrance or this Dunya will not satisfy our hearts!
"Therefore, remember Me, and, I will remember you, be grateful to Me and never deny Me." [al-Baqarah, 2:152]
Allah's Messenger (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said:
Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, thus stated: I am near to the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers Me. And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My Heart, and if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his (remembrance) , and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near Me by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands. And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him. [Sahih Muslim]
While many aspects of Zikr are specifically defined for us, such as Hajj once in our lifetime, fasting in Ramadan once a year, praying in congregation at least once a week (on Friday) and praying five times a day, the times between are not meant to be void of thoughts of Allah.
Here are some ways to incorporate and ensure Zikr in our everyday lives:
1- If you want or need or desire something, regardless of what it is, ask Allah for it first
Allah says in the Holy Quran, "Call on Me. I will answer your prayer, but those who are too arrogant to serve me will surely find themselves humiliated in Hell" (40:60). Taking the time to remember and ask Allah, serves not only as humbling experiences, but forces you to realize that Allah wants us to remember Him, to ask of Him, and put our trust in Him.
Whether it is in times of distress or in times of joy, creating a habit of sincere supplication toward Allah increases your Zikr According to Abu Huraira, "The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, reported that, whoever wants Allah to answer his prayers during difficult times, should supplicate to Him more and more in times of ease."
2. Be aware of your words
It becomes second nature for many Muslims to say "Assalam Alaikum" (Peace and blessings be upon you) when they meet a fellow Muslim, or to say Alhumdu lillah (all thanks be to Allah) without ever really thinking about what it means. While it is good to say these words, if we put our hearts into them, we will be humbling ourselves and performing Zikr at the same time.
So use words like Insha Allah (God willing), Maa shaa Allah, when you are praising something and Bismillah (in the name of God) before you begin anything. Being aware of Allah at all times will help keep you from doing something unIslamic.
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said, "Renew your faith." "How can we renew our faith?" they asked. The Prophet replied, "say always, 'La ilaha ill-Allah' (there is none worthy of worship except Allah).".
Jabir reported that the Prophet said, "the best remembrance of Allah is to repeat La ilaha illa Allah and the best prayer is Alhumdu lillah (all praise is due to Allah).".
3.Surround yourself with those that remember Allah
What we discuss when we are in congregation can also be Zikr. Said b. Jubair said, "anyone engaged in obeying Allah is in fact engaged in the remembrance of Allah."
Some early scholars according to Fiqh us-Sunnah said, "the gatherings of Zikr are the gatherings where the lawful and the prohibited things are discussed, for instance, selling, buying, prayers, fasting, marriage, divorce, and pilgrimage."
The Prophet reportedly told ibn Umar that, "There are some angels of Allah who go about looking for such assemblies or circles of Zikr, and when they find them they surround them."
"When any group of men remember Allah, angels surround them and mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him" (Abu Huraira and Abu Said Al Khudri).
Thus, surrounding yourself with other people remembering Allah contributes and heightens the purpose of Zikr, which is to purify ones heart and soul and to awaken the human conscience.
4. Do charity
Often times, we need to see how blessed we are, by helping those who are not as fortunate. Whether it is volunteering at a homeless shelter, teaching small children or visiting with the elderly, by taking time out of our lives to help others for the sake of Allah, we better ourselves.
The Holy Quran says, remembrance of Allah "is wider than Prayer: it includes silent contemplation, and active service of Allah and His Creatures. The regular Prayers and regular charity are the social acts performed through the organized community" (24:37).
We also need to realize the role we should play in our communities such as cleaning up a park, planting trees or helping our neighbors. By doing charity for those around us, we realize all the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah and remember Him in a more appreciative manner.
The Prophet said, "Charity is obligatory every day on every joint of a human being. If one helps a person in matters concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage onto it, all will be regarded as charity. A good word, and every step one takes to offer compulsory congregational prayer, is regarded as charity; and guiding somebody on the road is regarded as charity (Abu Huraira).
Keeping the importance of charity in mind and performing it for the sake of Allah, keeps Him in our thoughts and heart at all times.
Types of Zikr
There are three types of Zikr:
1. Practical
2. Verbal
3. Silent
1. Practical
Practical Zikr, also known as "Zikr-e-Faily", is performed with one's obedient actions. It comprises of obedience to:
i) The commandments of Allah (swt)
i.e. Prayer, Fasting, Hajj, umrah, Zakaat, charity etc
ii) The Sunnah of our Holy Prophet (saw)
i.e. eating, drinking, sleeping, walking, talking, dressing etc.
2. Verbal
Verbal Zikr, also known as "Zikr-e-Lisani", is observed with one's tongue. It comprises of:
i) Loud zikr; i.e. Azan, Takbir, Collective zikr etc
ii) Low tone zikr, i.e. Tasbihat, masnoon duas etc
3. Silent
Silent Zikr, also known as "Qalbi Zikr", "Zikr-e-Khafi" and "Daimi Zikr" is performed within one self.. There are many stages to silent zikr. The first and foremost of which is Qalbi Zikr: Remembrance of Allah (swt) from within the heart.
According to the Quran, the miraculous properties of the earth, the sky shading-over without support, the innumerable species of creatures residing within, the alternation of day and night and the unfailing, vast, miraculous universal system, all point towards the greatness of their Creator; but only for the one blessed with wisdom, “Those who constantly remember Allah, standing, sitting or reclining.” A human being will always be in one of these postures. This Divine verse implies that they are always engaged in Allah's Zikr under all conditions, at all times. Religious scholars have thus concluded that the alluded to verse doesn't refer to oral Zikr because the tongue cannot do Allah's Zikr all of the time; it has to translate many other human requirements, besides doing Zikr. Even if somebody doesn't speak a word except Allah's Zikr, his tongue will certainly remain quiet during his sleep. The only organ that can permanently perform Allah’s Zikr is the human heart and only Zikr-e Qalbi (Zikr by the heart) can fulfil the condition of constant Zikr. Once the heart learns Allah's Zikr, it never stops at any time, under any circumstances.
(Qalbi zikr is zikr of the heart it is where your heart does the zikr of Allah over and over again. To do this zikr just concentrate on you heart and with every beat imagine it is saying Al-lah, Al-lah,Al-lah. then you can do this through out the entire day and your entire life until you can hear with your own ears your heart saying Allah. Dahmi zikr is with your breath. When you breath in you say Allah and when you breath out you say hu. Once you have learned both types of zikr continue doing them for ever and the rest of you life. If you can multi task then do both. Dahmi and qalbi zikr and if you want to be more advanced in doing zikr then instead of doing both zikrs with just saying Allah you can change dahmi zikr to la illaha when you breath in and illah Allah when you breath out whilst your qalb is continuously saying Allah. Note: when you recite the zikr it should be in your head only not out loud. Soon you will naturally with your own ears hear your heart with every beat and your breath with every breath you take it will be doing the zikr of the name of Allah without you having to think about it.)
If we look into the Quran we will find that the word “ Zikr ” occurs 268 times in the Quran and has 63 derivatives used in the Book, the Quran. This word “ Zikr ” has many connotations in Islam. Its almost opposite is “ Nissiyane ” (forgetting). This verb occurs 45 times in the Quran; and 28 of its derivatives have also been mentioned in the sacred Book.
The root of Zikr is Za-Kaf-Ra . Some of its meanings are:
Az-Zikro Wattazk'aro : It means to preserve something, to keep alive in mind; this word is used opposite to NASYUN , which means to forget (6:68)
At tazkerato : It means
To remind something which is needed
The Quran has also been called As-Zikro because it contains the history and Causes or Laws for the rise and fall of nations
Zikrun also means to remain steadfast in the battlefield and thus ensures the supremacy of Divine Laws. The Divine Laws are also called Zikrullah (39:23). It has also been used in the context of dignity, honour, respect, fame and saying something good (43:44)
Verse (2:152) says Faz Kurunee Azkur Kum -‘You keep in view My Laws and I shall protect your rights and grace you with dignity and honour'
In short Zikr means
1.To remain steadfast in the battle field
2. Ponder over the secrets of nature
3.Take lesson from the previous history of nations
4.Keep in view the Divine Laws and take decisions accordingly
5.Propagate or give publicity to the Divine Laws
6.These are the steps which install peace of mind (13:28) and not the rotation of beads or retreating to the caves or hujras
Keep these meanings in view, study the Quran and grasp the places where this word has been used. You will understand the real perspective and get the action verbs commanding you to do the things practically.
Who says islam is demanding.Its so easy to folow. You can do zikr all the time, just saying assalamualaykum is a zikr..wow. helping someone is a charity.its so easy . we can do it without any effort and one day it will become a way of our life without our knowing it. and then allah will start bestowing us with his mercy and he will show us the straight path. all we need to do is start doing zikr and small charities. make it a way of our lives. and inshallan all pieces will start falling into place automatically. all you need is an intention...that will be your deciding factor, that always is.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Second piller of islam .Salah -
What is salah?it is the second piller of islam .Salah (prayers) five times a day.A muslim has to offer salah five times a day.for a muslim not to offer these prayers it is punishable (Azab).
In one of his circulars Sayyidna Umar ibn Khattab (RadiAllahu anhu) sent instructions to all his administrators saying,
"In my opinion, salah (Islam's prescribed act of worship or prayer. The word prayer, though, is also used for supplication or dua and is therefore avoided in this article.) is the most important of your obligations. Whoever takes good care of it and safeguards it safeguards his religion and whoever neglects it will neglect other things even more." He then added instructions about the times for the five salaahs and admonition against dozing off before Isha.
[Muwatta Imam Malik. Hadith No. 5]
This letter from the ruler of a vast empire to the officials of his government -- shall we call it Executive Order? -- gives us a lot to reflect upon. For salah is among the most emphasized commands in Shariah. Unfortunately it is also a grossly neglected obligation in our life today.
Even a Muslim school child knows that salah is a pillar of Islam. What Sayyidna Umar (radiAllahu anhu) expressed was that it is true at all levels and in all settings, from the private to the public. One cannot build an Islamic life, an Islamic community, an Islamic institution, or an Islamic government while neglecting or weakening this pillar. It is a measure of its extraordinary status that unlike all other obligations the command for salah was given by Allah Most High to Prophet Muhammad (salAlahu alayhi wasalam) during his miraculous Ascent to Heaven or Mir'aj. Very fittingly so, for salah is the meraj of the believer.
One begins the salaah by standing while facing the Ka'bah or the House of Allah, isolating himself from the worldly affairs, and then addressing Allah directly: "Oh Allah, You are sanctified and (I begin) with Your praise. Your name is Blessed and Your Greatness is Supreme. And no one else is worthy of worship except You." During salaah a believer repeatedly stands, bows, and prostates to Allah. Each of these acts brings him closer and closer to his Master and Creator filling him with the feelings of love, devotion, and obedience. The sitting position even includes the re-creation of the conversation that took place between the Prophet (salAlahu alayhi wasalam) and Allah during the Heavenly Ascent.
Prophet (salAlahu alayhi wasalam): "All greetings, blessings, and good acts are for Allah."
Allah: "Peace is upon you O Prophet, and the Mercy, and the Blessings of Allah."
"Peace be with us and unto the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah."
"And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger."
This closeness is the most valuable gift for the believer. It is the source of all strength and all goodness in his life. It is the light that shows him the right from wrong in all walks of life. It is the river that bathes and cleans him of all sin and contamination. In the hardships of life, it is the source of solace and strength. It is the regulator of the Muslim life, the daily schedule of a believer being built around the five daily salaahs. It is a source of joy and happiness, of spiritual nourishment and purification. It is the key to all success. It is the key to paradise.
On the other hand, neglecting the salaah is key to hell. Qur'an says, "Woe to the worshippers who are negligent in their salah." Hadith says: "Salah stands between man and unbelief." Another hadith says: "Salah is the pillar of religion. Whoever destroys it has destroyed the religion." Another hadith informs us that salaah is the first item about which one will be questioned after death. The person who succeeds in this test, will likely pass through the subsequent tests. The one who flunks this one has little chance of getting through the rest. Yet another hadith warns us that the person who neglects his salaah has walked out of the protection of Allah. We can understand the enormity of missing just one salaah on purpose from the hadith that says that such a person is like one who lost all his family and all his wealth!
In the presence of all the persuasion and all the admonition about salah in Qur'an and hadith, one wonders how could any sane believer be negligent in this matter. To a person who claims to be a believer yet does not offer his salaah regularly five times a day, we must ask: What is your justification? The more one thinks about it the more he or she will realize that there is none. Absolutely none.
One cannot plead that he did not know about the obligation or its extraordinary importance. Even if an unfortunate Muslim were never to open the Qur'an or a hadith book in his life, he cannot not notice the call to salaah that comes from every masjid throughout the world five times a day. It repeatedly reminds him: "Come to Salah. Come to Success."
The distribution of mosques in the world today is such that the call to salaah can be heard round the clock in a never-ending stream as one moves around the globe. One can begin with Fajr adhan in Indonesia and follow it at small intervals in Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt etc. etc. By that time Zuhr adhan has already started in Indonesia. Twenty-four hours later when the Muezzins of Indonesia are again calling out Fajr adhan, the Muezzins in Africa are calling out the adhan for Isha. How can one plead ignorance in the presence of this massive and continuous universal call?
One cannot plead that the obligation is too difficult or time consuming. While the obligation remains whether one is healthy or sick, and whether it is rain or shine, Shariah goes to great lengths to accommodate our circumstances. If you cannot stand, you can offer it sitting. Cannot sit? You can offer it lying down. Cannot move? Use whatever gestures are possible. Traveling? Just offer two units instead of four. Cannot figure out the direction of qibla? Use your best judgment. Can't use water to purify yourself in preparation for salah? Perform dry ablution.
As people run out of excuses they sometimes try rationalizations. What good is salah if one's mind wanders all over the place? Well our job is to try to concentrate not to achieve concentration. We are doing our job if we are simply making the effort. What good is salaah if one is still involved in other sins, like the proverbial person who steals and prays? The simple answer is that our lives are combinations of good and evil. Our goal is to increase the good and reduce or eliminate the evil. And that won't happen by putting the good on hold until we can get rid of the evil. It may also be helpful to remember that the greatest theft is that of salaah itself.
In one of his circulars Sayyidna Umar ibn Khattab (RadiAllahu anhu) sent instructions to all his administrators saying,
"In my opinion, salah (Islam's prescribed act of worship or prayer. The word prayer, though, is also used for supplication or dua and is therefore avoided in this article.) is the most important of your obligations. Whoever takes good care of it and safeguards it safeguards his religion and whoever neglects it will neglect other things even more." He then added instructions about the times for the five salaahs and admonition against dozing off before Isha.
[Muwatta Imam Malik. Hadith No. 5]
This letter from the ruler of a vast empire to the officials of his government -- shall we call it Executive Order? -- gives us a lot to reflect upon. For salah is among the most emphasized commands in Shariah. Unfortunately it is also a grossly neglected obligation in our life today.
Even a Muslim school child knows that salah is a pillar of Islam. What Sayyidna Umar (radiAllahu anhu) expressed was that it is true at all levels and in all settings, from the private to the public. One cannot build an Islamic life, an Islamic community, an Islamic institution, or an Islamic government while neglecting or weakening this pillar. It is a measure of its extraordinary status that unlike all other obligations the command for salah was given by Allah Most High to Prophet Muhammad (salAlahu alayhi wasalam) during his miraculous Ascent to Heaven or Mir'aj. Very fittingly so, for salah is the meraj of the believer.
One begins the salaah by standing while facing the Ka'bah or the House of Allah, isolating himself from the worldly affairs, and then addressing Allah directly: "Oh Allah, You are sanctified and (I begin) with Your praise. Your name is Blessed and Your Greatness is Supreme. And no one else is worthy of worship except You." During salaah a believer repeatedly stands, bows, and prostates to Allah. Each of these acts brings him closer and closer to his Master and Creator filling him with the feelings of love, devotion, and obedience. The sitting position even includes the re-creation of the conversation that took place between the Prophet (salAlahu alayhi wasalam) and Allah during the Heavenly Ascent.
Prophet (salAlahu alayhi wasalam): "All greetings, blessings, and good acts are for Allah."
Allah: "Peace is upon you O Prophet, and the Mercy, and the Blessings of Allah."
"Peace be with us and unto the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah."
"And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger."
This closeness is the most valuable gift for the believer. It is the source of all strength and all goodness in his life. It is the light that shows him the right from wrong in all walks of life. It is the river that bathes and cleans him of all sin and contamination. In the hardships of life, it is the source of solace and strength. It is the regulator of the Muslim life, the daily schedule of a believer being built around the five daily salaahs. It is a source of joy and happiness, of spiritual nourishment and purification. It is the key to all success. It is the key to paradise.
On the other hand, neglecting the salaah is key to hell. Qur'an says, "Woe to the worshippers who are negligent in their salah." Hadith says: "Salah stands between man and unbelief." Another hadith says: "Salah is the pillar of religion. Whoever destroys it has destroyed the religion." Another hadith informs us that salaah is the first item about which one will be questioned after death. The person who succeeds in this test, will likely pass through the subsequent tests. The one who flunks this one has little chance of getting through the rest. Yet another hadith warns us that the person who neglects his salaah has walked out of the protection of Allah. We can understand the enormity of missing just one salaah on purpose from the hadith that says that such a person is like one who lost all his family and all his wealth!
In the presence of all the persuasion and all the admonition about salah in Qur'an and hadith, one wonders how could any sane believer be negligent in this matter. To a person who claims to be a believer yet does not offer his salaah regularly five times a day, we must ask: What is your justification? The more one thinks about it the more he or she will realize that there is none. Absolutely none.
One cannot plead that he did not know about the obligation or its extraordinary importance. Even if an unfortunate Muslim were never to open the Qur'an or a hadith book in his life, he cannot not notice the call to salaah that comes from every masjid throughout the world five times a day. It repeatedly reminds him: "Come to Salah. Come to Success."
The distribution of mosques in the world today is such that the call to salaah can be heard round the clock in a never-ending stream as one moves around the globe. One can begin with Fajr adhan in Indonesia and follow it at small intervals in Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt etc. etc. By that time Zuhr adhan has already started in Indonesia. Twenty-four hours later when the Muezzins of Indonesia are again calling out Fajr adhan, the Muezzins in Africa are calling out the adhan for Isha. How can one plead ignorance in the presence of this massive and continuous universal call?
One cannot plead that the obligation is too difficult or time consuming. While the obligation remains whether one is healthy or sick, and whether it is rain or shine, Shariah goes to great lengths to accommodate our circumstances. If you cannot stand, you can offer it sitting. Cannot sit? You can offer it lying down. Cannot move? Use whatever gestures are possible. Traveling? Just offer two units instead of four. Cannot figure out the direction of qibla? Use your best judgment. Can't use water to purify yourself in preparation for salah? Perform dry ablution.
As people run out of excuses they sometimes try rationalizations. What good is salah if one's mind wanders all over the place? Well our job is to try to concentrate not to achieve concentration. We are doing our job if we are simply making the effort. What good is salaah if one is still involved in other sins, like the proverbial person who steals and prays? The simple answer is that our lives are combinations of good and evil. Our goal is to increase the good and reduce or eliminate the evil. And that won't happen by putting the good on hold until we can get rid of the evil. It may also be helpful to remember that the greatest theft is that of salaah itself.
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