BRANCHES OF IMĀN: Remembering Allah ﷻ – Part 2
● Dhikr (remembrance) is worship pertaining to the heart and tongue. It is the soul and companion of all good deeds. Thus righteous actions devoid of Dhikr are like a body without a soul.
It is the ever open door between Allah ﷻ and His slave so long as the slave doesn’t shut it through his heedlessness. Al-Hasanul Basri said: “Search for sweetness/contentment in three things: in Salah, Dhikr and recitation of the Qur’an. If you don’t find it (sweetness), then know that the door is closed”.
● Dhikr is not only perfomed in seclusion but also when one is amongst the people i.e. in gatherings & assemblies. Our beloved prophet ﷺ said:
“لاَ يَقْعُدُ قَوْمٌ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلاَّ حَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَنَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ.”
“When a group of people assemble for the remembrance of Allah, the angels surround them (with their wings), Allah’s mercy envelops them, Sakinah (tranquillity) descends upon them and Allah makes a mention of them before those who are near Him.” (Muslim).