13/03/2026
THE MEANING OF ZIKR (REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH) ~PROF. RASHID HUSSEIN SULTAN SALWAT, SHEIHU SALAWATIA QUTUB ZAMAN RTA
In Islam, Zikr is the highest form of worship even through other form of worship are recommended. Reading the Quran is Ibaadah (worship), saying the Salat is Ibaadah but the saying of "Laa ilaaha ilalaah" is the Highest form of worship.
Surah Al-Ankaboot, Verse 45:
اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ
Recite (O Muhammad SAW) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Quran), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat). Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha' (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual in*******se, etc.) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed, etc.) and the remembering (praising, etc.) of (you by) Allah (in front of the angels) is greater indeed [than your remembering (praising, etc.) Allah in prayers, etc.]. And Allah knows what you do.
Zikr is to only form of worship that Muslims are commended by Allah to do constantly and abundantly as noted in the Quran thus : Oh you who believe! Remember Allah constantly ".
(Q2:152) in Fiqh us-Sunnah vol 4 page 99, Zikr is defined as"All word of praise and glory of Allah, extolling His perfect attributes of power and majesty, beauty and sublimeness, whether one utter them by tongue or say them silently in one's heart, are known as Zikr or Remembrance of Allah. He has commended us to remember Him always and forever. The Quran says :
Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 41:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا
O ye who believe! Celebrate the praises of Allah, and do this often; And glorify Him morning and evening. In Quran Allah says:" If anyone remember Allah (Zikr), then Allah will remember him "
Allah the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a cubit, and if he draws near to Me a cubit, I draw near to him a fathom. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed. (Bukhari and Muslim).
Allah the bestowed special merits upon those who remember Him (Zikr). The Prophet, Peace be upon him said :"The devotees ( Saying there is no God but Allah and He is one) have surpassed all they asked " they asked:" who are these exceptional people (Mufarridun) , Oh Prophet of Allah ? He replied " Those men and women who remember Allah unceasingly "- (Muslim)
These are people who are ready alive. Abu Musah reported, "likeness of the one who remember Him like that of the living and the one who doesn't remember him is Like that of a living and to a dead person." (Bukhari)
In brief, Salat, Zakat, Ramadan, Hajj, Iman and Ihsan are all sandwiched by Zikr. In short, nothing compers to Zikr because it's independent of all acts of faith but needed for all other acts of faith to be perfected and acceptable by Allah (SWT).
What this implies is that we can always do the zikr and receive our blessings from the most high. However, Salat that is not proceeded and concluded with Zikr is hollow. If the Zikr was done at least there is certainty that, that will be acceptable; but without Zikr, all the other acts of the Salat may not be done properly as everyone is aware that the determinants of Salat are the brainchild of the Fuqahaa.
The same principles allies to other forms of worship including even the burial process of Muslim corpses. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWAS) narrates that, what He and all other Prophets said more than anything during their missions is the Zikr : Laa Ilaaha ilallaah!
Now, how do you get yourself to do Zikr Constantly ?
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Book reference: The Straight Path, The Millah & the Tariqah: The Triple Necessity for Every Believer By :Prof. Rashid Sultan Sheihu Salawatia Qutb Zaman RTA
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