Concept of Dhikr in Islam

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 Dhikr is an Islamic term that means "remembrance of Allah." It is the act of remembering Allah through words, actions, or thoughts. Dhikr is considered to be one of the most important acts of worship in Islam, and it is said to have many benefits, both spiritual and physical.

There are many different ways to perform dhikr. Some common forms of dhikr include:

• Reciting the Quran

• Saying the names of Allah

• Making supplications (du'a)

• Remembering Allah's attributes (asma'ul-husna)

• Meditating on the Quran or the names of Allah

• Performing physical acts of worship, such as salah (prayer) or fasting

There are many different types of dhikr, but some of the most common include:

• Tasbih: The repetition of the phrase "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah)

• Tahmid: The repetition of the phrase "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah)

• Takbir: The repetition of the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest)

• Tahlil: The repetition of the phrase "La ilaha illallah" (There is no god but Allah)

• Istighfar: The recitation of the phrase "Astaghfirullah" (I seek forgiveness from Allah)

Muslims recite tasbeeh (dhikr) in counts of 11, 33, or 99 to remember Allah. The practice has roots in a story involving Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, who sought help for her hardships. The 33 recitations are significant because when multiplied by three, they total 99, which is Allah's total number of names. This method of recitation emphasizes the importance of remembering and glorifying God in various ways, and reciting more than 100 times is believed to bring greater rewards, as each good deed is rewarded tenfold. Dhikr can be performed at any time and in any place. However, some times and places are considered to be more auspicious for dhikr, such as the early morning hours, the last third of the night, and the time after salah.

The benefits of dhikr are many. It is said to:

• Increase one's love for Allah

• Help one to control one's desires

• Ward off evil

• Bring peace and tranquility to the heart

• Increase one's knowledge of Allah

• Help one to attain nearness to Allah

Dhikr is a powerful act of worship that can have a profound impact on one's life. It is a simple act that anyone can do, and it is one of the best ways to show our love and devotion to Allah.

Here are some verses from the Quran that speak about the importance of dhikr:

• "Remember Me, I will remember you." (Quran 2:152)

• "Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: 'Our Lord, You did not create this in vain. Glory be to You! So protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'" (Quran 3:191)

• "And remember your Lord within yourself, with humility and in fear, and without loudness in words, in the morning and in the evening." (Quran 7:205)

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.