Dhikr

What is Dhikr?

Dhikr is the remembrance of Allah — the act of keeping Allah present in the heart and mentioning Him on the tongue. It includes phrases such as SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah), and seeking forgiveness (istighfar). Dhikr is among the easiest yet most beloved and rewarding acts of worship.

The Meaning in Depth

Dhikr is not limited to recited formulas; in its fullest sense it is a constant awareness of Allah that shapes thought, speech, and action. The Quran ties remembrance directly to inner peace: "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest" (13:28). The believer is commanded to remember Allah "much" (33:41), at all times — standing, sitting, and lying down (3:191). The Prophet ﷺ compared the one who remembers Allah to the living, and the one who does not to the dead (Bukhari 6407), showing that dhikr is the very life of the heart.

Dhikr in the Quran

• "...those who have believed and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, in the remembrance of Allah hearts find rest." (13:28)
• "O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance." (33:41)
• "So remember Me; I will remember you..." (2:152)

Living by This Worship

Dhikr can fill the moments of an ordinary day — while walking, working, or waiting — turning idle time into worship. In a sacred hadith, Allah says: "I am as My servant thinks of Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I remember him in Myself..." (Bukhari 7405). Establishing the morning and evening adhkar, remembering Allah after each prayer, and keeping the tongue moist with His praise are among the most accessible paths to nearness, gratitude, and tranquillity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best phrases of dhikr?

The Prophet ﷺ taught that the best words after the Quran are SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illa Allah, and Allahu Akbar. He also said two phrases light on the tongue but heavy on the scale are "SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil-Azim" (Bukhari 6406).

Does dhikr have to be aloud?

No. Dhikr can be silent in the heart or quietly on the tongue, and both are valuable. What matters most is presence of heart and sincerity, not volume. The Quran praises remembering Allah "within yourself, humbly and with fear" (7:205).