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What is Zakat Due On? The 5 Categories from Authentic Hadith

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Dhikr in Islam: 10 Transformative Benefits of Remembering Allah Daily

 Chapter: What Has Been Mentioned About the Remembrance of Allah, the Exalted

### **Introduction**  

Praise be to Allah, who has made remembrance a light for the hearts, a cure for the chests, and a path to closeness to the Lord. Peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, who was constantly engaged in the remembrance of his Lord, and upon his family and companions.  


The remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) is one of the greatest acts of worship that brings a servant closer to their Lord, dispels worries, brings peace to the heart, and protects from Satan. Numerous texts in the Quran and the Sunnah highlight the virtue and importance of Dhikr, emphasizing that it is a source of tranquility, blessings in time and sustenance, and a means of spiritual elevation.  


In this chapter, we will explore the remembrance of Allah in terms of:  

1. **The Definition and Virtue of Dhikr**.  

2. **The Importance of Dhikr in a Muslim’s Life**.  

3. **Morning and Evening Adhkar and Their Times**.  

4. **Adhkar After Prayer and Their Effects**.  

5. **The Virtue of Glorification (Tasbeeh), Praise (Tahmeed), Declaration of Faith (Tahlil), and Magnification (Takbeer)**.  

6. **Remembering Allah in All Circumstances**.  

7. **Collective Dhikr and Its Etiquette**.  

8. **The Impact of Dhikr on the Heart and Life**.  

9. **Stories of the Pious Predecessors (Salaf) in Consistently Practicing Dhikr**.  

10. **Conclusion: Dhikr as the Path to Happiness and Salvation**.  

1. The Definition and Virtue of Dhikr

**Linguistically**: Dhikr refers to expressing something through words or actions.  

**Legally**: It encompasses all words or deeds intended to draw closer to Allah, such as glorification (Tasbeeh), praise (Tahmeed), declaration of faith (Tahlil), magnification (Takbeer), recitation of the Quran, and supplication (Dua).  


**The Virtue of Dhikr in the Quran**:  

- Allah says: **"So remember Me; I will remember you."** (Quran 2:152).  

- And He says: **"Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah, hearts are assured."** (Quran 13:28).  


**The Virtue of Dhikr in the Sunnah**:  

- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:  

  > **"Whoever says: 'La ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay’in qadeer' (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner; to Him belongs the dominion, to Him belongs all praise, and He is over all things competent) one hundred times in a day, will get the reward of freeing ten slaves, one hundred good deeds will be written for him, one hundred sins will be erased from his record, and it will be a shield for him from Satan on that day until evening. No one will exceed him in deeds except one who recites it more than him."** (Bukhari and Muslim).  

2. The Importance of Dhikr in a Muslim’s Life  

- **Strengthening the Connection with Allah**: Dhikr keeps a servant in constant communication with their Lord.  

- **Dispelling Grief and Anxiety**: As the Prophet (ﷺ) said:  

  > **"Whoever consistently seeks forgiveness (Istighfar), Allah will grant him relief from every distress, a way out from every hardship, and provide for him from sources he could never imagine."** (Abu Dawud).  

- **Protection from Satan**: Dhikr acts as a fortress against whispers and harm.  

3. Morning and Evening Adhkar and Their Times

**Morning Adhkar**: Recited from dawn until midday.  

- **"We have reached the morning, and the dominion belongs to Allah..."**  

- **"O Allah, by Your will we have reached the morning..."**  

**Evening Adhkar**: Recited from afternoon until midnight.  

- **"We have reached the evening, and the dominion belongs to Allah..."**  

- **"O Allah, by Your will we have reached the evening..."**  

4. Adhkar After Prayer and Their Effects  

- **"I seek Allah’s forgiveness"** (three times).  

- **"O Allah, You are As-Salam (the Source of Peace)..."**  

5. The Virtue of Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, Tahlil, and Takbeer

- **Tasbeeh (SubhanAllah)**: Erases sins and elevates ranks.  

- **Tahlil (La ilaha illallah)**: The best form of remembrance in the sight of Allah.  

6. Remembering Allah in All Circumstances 

- When eating: **"Bismillah (In the name of Allah)."**  

- When sleeping: **"In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live."**  

7. Collective Dhikr and Its Etiquette  

- **Dhikr in congregation** holds immense virtue, but it should be performed without excessive loudness.  

8. The Impact of Dhikr on the Heart and Life 

- It increases faith, brings sustenance, and dispels worries.  

9. Stories of the Salaf in Consistently Practicing Dhikr

- Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal would glorify Allah (say SubhanAllah) 1,000 times daily.  

10. Conclusion: Dhikr as the Path to Happiness and Salvation  

Dhikr is the nourishment of the soul, the solace of the grieved, and the salvation of the servant in this life and the Hereafter.  


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