20/08/2026
The greatest form of Dhikr — remembrance of Allah Almighty — is the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
Other gatherings of Dhikr have their place, provided that the Farḍ obligations of Islam are fulfilled. This is not a prescription, but a guideline describing the method taught within our Chishtī spiritual tradition. As mentioned previously, the Khatm-e-Khwājagān is the preparatory stage for .
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
“Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquillity.”
— Qur’an 13:28
After al-Fātiḥah, Durūd and seeking forgiveness from Allah, Lā ilāha illā Allāh is recited up to 200 times.
The Dhikr consists of negation and affirmation:
Lā ilāha — negating everything that occupies the heart besides Allah.
Illā Allāh — affirming Allah alone.
With eyes closed and full concentration, Lā ilāha is drawn symbolically from the navel — representing the lower self or nafs — towards the right shoulder and through the head, imagining its darkness leaving the body.
Then imagine Nūr descending from above and striking the spiritual heart as il-lal-lāh is recited with three movements. Visualise the heart illuminated with the Blessed Name الله. Raise the head and say Hū.
The Dhikr should be neither shouted nor whispered, but recited clearly, moderately and harmoniously with the person presiding. Do not rush. The purpose is not merely reaching 200 — it is presence and concentration.
Afterwards, remain with eyes closed in tasawwur: contemplating spiritual light and blessing through the Prophetic and Chishtī chain — from Rasūlullāh ﷺ, through the Awliyāʾ and Mashāʾikh, through one’s Murshid and upon the heart — always knowing that all true Nūr, guidance and benefit come from Allah Almighty alone.
The meditation may continue for up to twenty minutes before concluding:
Ḥaqq, Ḥaqq, Ḥaqq — Lā ilāha illā Allāh, Muḥammadur-Rasūlullāh ﷺ.
Dhikr is not merely the movement of the tongue.
The tongue remembers until the heart learns to remember.
