(Series on Zikrullah – Introduction)
The Deen of Islam may be resembled to a lush orchard filled with different types of fruit bearing trees. All the various types of fruit are delicious and nutritious, but not all are available at all times, and some are easier to pick and consume than others. The fruits in the orchard of Islam are the various types of ‘ibaadaat and virtuous deeds which are a means of one earning the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala and the rewards of the Hereafter.
Once, a Sahaabi mentioned to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that there are many different types of nafl actions in Islam, (however on account of his weakness, it is difficult for him to engage in carrying out all the different nafl actions). Hence, he requested Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Please inform me of one such action which I can firmly hold onto.”
In other words, he asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to tell him of an action which is easy to carry out, at all times and in all conditions, yet earns one great rewards with minimum effort. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him, “Ensure that your tongue remains moist with the zikr of Allah Ta‘ala.” (Sunan Tirmizi #3375 and Mirqaat vol. 5, pg. 64)
From all the various ‘ibaadaat, the ‘ibaadah of zikrullah is one of the easiest to engage in. Fasting is an ‘ibaadah that requires strength and fortitude, and can only be carried out during the day, not at night. Salaah requires wudhu, facing the qiblah and other criteria to be fulfilled. Hajj may only be fulfilled during the days of hajj, and even ‘umrah requires traveling to the Holy Lands. Zakaat and nafl sadaqah both require a person to possess excess wealth. In comparison to all these great and virtuous ‘ibaadaat, zikrullah can be carried out by any person, at any time (besides when one is in the toilet, bathing, etc.), and in any condition – whether wealthy or poor, healthy or sick.
Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned in the hadeeth, “There are certainly such people in this world who engage in the zikr of Allah while lying down upon soft beds. (For this,) Allah Ta‘ala will admit them into the high stages (of Jannah).” (Saheeh Ibni Hibbaan #398)
In many verses of the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala encourages us to engage in zikr. In one verse, Allah Ta‘ala says, “O you who have brought imaan! Engage in the zikr of Allah in abundance.” (Surah Ahzaab v41) In another verse, Allah Ta‘ala says, “And the remembrance of Allah is the greatest (of all things).” (Surah Ankaboot v45)
Under the commentary of this verse, Mufti Muhammed Shafee’ (rahimahullah) has mentioned two explanations. The first explanation is that “remembrance of Allah Ta‘ala” mentioned in the verse refers to the zikr of Allah Ta‘ala which the servants make. (In other words, their tasbeeh, etc. is greater than other ‘ibaadaat – as is proven in many ahaadeeth as well.) The second explanation is that “remembrance of Allah Ta‘ala” refers to Allah Ta‘ala remembering the servants. This happens when the servant engages in the zikr of Allah Ta‘ala and remembers Him. (Ma‘aariful Quraan vol. 6 pg. 698)
Allah Ta‘ala mentions in a hadeeth qudsi that He is with the servant whenever the servant remembers Him, and when the servant takes the name of Allah in a gathering, then Allah mentions the servant’s name in a better gathering (i.e. the gathering of the angels). (Saheeh Bukhaari #7405)
So abundant are the virtues and benefits of engaging in zikr that some ‘Ulama have numbered them as being more than one hundred! Among these virtues and benefits are that engaging in zikr gives life to the spiritual heart, it attracts the presence of the angels of mercy, it causes peace and tranquillity to descend, it causes sins to be forgiven, it saves one from the punishment in the grave, and it compensates for one’s deficiency in other nafl actions.
During this most blessed month of Ramadhaan, apart from our other ‘ibaadaat, let us keep our tongues moist with the zikr of Allah Ta‘ala. While walking, cooking, traveling, lying in bed and at all other times – let us try to remember Allah Ta‘ala and acquire the immense multiplied rewards offered to us in Ramadhaan. Remembering Allah Ta‘ala with our tongues can be in the form of reciting the Qur’aan Majeed or reciting Kalimah Tayyibah, the third kalimah, durood shareef, or any other zikr mentioned in the hadeeth.
Insha-Allah, in the parts to come, the virtues of certain specific azkaar (words of zikr) will be mentioned. May Allah Ta‘ala assist us all to acquire the maximum reward, aameen.