BRANCHES OF IMĀN: Remembering Allah ﷻ – Part 3
● Imam Al Ghazali said: The effective and beneficial remembrance is that which is consistent and accompanied by a present heart. As for mere verbal Dhikr while the heart is diverted, there is little benefit.
● The heart’s Presence?
It is when remembrance settles within the heart to the extent that the servant vividly recalls the pleasure, love, majesty, reward and punishment of Allah in every moment and situation. Thus when he buys/sells he doesn’t defraud, when he deals with people he doesn’t double-cross, when he is angry he doesn’t oppress, and when worships he doesn’t show off.
● With the above in mind, we can begin to appreciate the Aayah:
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
The true believers are only those whose hearts tremble with awe at the remembrance of Allah, whose faith increases when His revelations are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord.