Daily Dhikr — Remembrance of Allah
Suggest editThe Importance of Dhikr
Dhikr (ذكر) means remembrance of Allah through words of praise, glorification, and supplication. Allah says: 'Remember Me, and I will remember you' (2:152) and 'Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest' (13:28). Dhikr is the simplest yet most profound act of worship, accessible at any time, in any place, requiring no special preparation or physical ability.
Core Daily Adhkar
The Prophet taught specific phrases for regular remembrance. SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (All praise is for Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) are the foundational phrases. The Prophet said: 'The most beloved words to Allah are four: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illAllah, and Allahu Akbar' (Muslim). He also recommended saying SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times after every obligatory prayer (Muslim).
Morning and Evening Adhkar
The Prophet had specific supplications for the morning (between Fajr and sunrise) and evening (between Asr and Maghrib). These include Ayat al-Kursi, the last three surahs of the Quran (al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, al-Nas), the master supplication for forgiveness (Sayyid al-Istighfar), and various phrases praising and glorifying Allah. Scholars have compiled these in accessible collections, the most famous being Hisn al-Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim) by Sa'id ibn Ali al-Qahtani. Consistent practice of morning and evening adhkar is described as spiritual armor for the believer.
Benefits of Consistent Dhikr
The Prophet described numerous benefits: dhikr earns the forgiveness of Allah, protects from Shaytan, brings tranquility to the heart, earns rewards equivalent to freeing slaves and giving charity, and causes the angels to surround the one who remembers Allah. Ibn al-Qayyim listed over 70 benefits of dhikr in his work al-Wabil al-Sayyib. The key is consistency rather than quantity. The Prophet said: 'The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if small' (Bukhari and Muslim).