'ZIKR'
REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH

Haider Zaman     

Belief in the Omnipresence of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is one of the basic ingredients of faith. It implies firm conviction that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) Sees whatever one does, Hears whatever one says and Knows whatever one has in mind anywhere all the time.

The practical aspect of this conviction has been frequently termed as “Zikrullah” in the Quraan which literally means remembrance or active consciousness about the presence of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).

Remembrance of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has been rated above many other acts both by the Quraan and Sunnah.

The Quraan says, “Salaah surely restrains from doing evil and shameful acts but remembrance of Allah is the greatest”. (29:45)

And when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked whether he would rate remembrance of Allah above fighting in the Way of Allah he replied in the affirmative.

According to Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar, his father said that once he was sitting with the Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) along with others that a stranger came and asked the Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) what “Ihsaan” could be?

The Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) replied “it could be to worship Allah as if you see Him and if you cannot see Him, yet He Sees you”. And when he left, the Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) told them that he was Jibraiel who had come to teach them their religion. (Muslim)

It could be an excellent experience if one is aware of the presence of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) while offering Salaah. But otherwise too, such consciousness is highly valued by Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). The Quraan terms those persons as the favorites of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) who, when they do any wrong, remember Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) instantly and seek His forgiveness (3:135) which obviously means that remembrance of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) can have great value even if it occurs at times other than during the course of Salaah.

Remembrance of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) could be even more meaningful and effective, when there is some positive reaction or response to it. Thus one should remember Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) by saying Allah o Akbar or similar other words the moment Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) comes to his mind, and if he has done something wrong, repent over it and seek His forgiveness, or if he is doing anything wrong, stop doing it and seek His forgiveness or if there is any needy person within his sight, help him in whatever way he can and be grateful to Him for the good he has been able to do.

The Quraan highlights two levels of submission to the Will of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) which can also be treated as the two levels of human development in some contexts.

One is when it says “In fact, the one who repents and does righteous deeds returns to Allah as he rightly should” (25:71) also called as the people on the right hand (56:8).

The other level has been explained with reference to Prophet Ibrahim which is total submission to the Will of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and doing of righteous deeds (4:125) also called as the people being foremost in the race (56:10).

Remembrance of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) could be of utmost importance to the attainment of the above levels of submission. A person will repent over whatever wrong he does and vow not to do any wrong again only when it occurs to him that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) has seen what he has done.

Likewise, a person will comply with the guidance of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) in whatever he hears, sees, does or seeks only when he has the presence of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) in mind. The same awareness that restrains a person from doing wrong and evil deeds also impels him to do good and righteous deeds.

The Quraan emphasizes the need for remembering Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) in several ways. As it says, “He is with you wherever you may be and sees whatever you do”. (57,-4)

Through one of the earlier revelations the Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) was specifically advised to keep on remembering Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) even while performing ordinary duties (73:7,8).

It means that even if one is doing his normal or routine work he should do it as if he is doing it in the presence of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). In other words one should retain the sense of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s nearness at all times. The Quraan sums up the importance of Allah’s remembrance thus “if you remember Allah, He will remember you”.(2:152)

Remembrance of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) not only fosters the fear of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) in one’s mind but also promotes patience, will-power and steadfastness at the same time. It can have the most soothing effect on mind and can be of great help in controlling tension, wrath, frustration, worries and grieves. As the Quraan says, “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest (satisfaction)”. (13:28)

The person who remains conscious about the presence of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) in whatever he does, says, seeks or thinks could be truly one of those about whom the Quraan says that they will never have any fear nor will they be ever grieved (2:38,112).

It does not, however, mean that no adversity or calamity will ever touch him. In fact, adversities and calamities will be sent to him as usual but inspired by his faith, he will remain so steadfast and endure any situation whatsoever with such fortitude that he will never have any fear nor will he be grieved.

The way the Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaho alaihe wa sallam) endured the loss arising out of the deaths of his uncle, Abu Talib and Hadhrat Khadijah and in the same year at a time when their presence he badly needed, could be the best example. That’s why the Quraan says “in the Prophet of Allah you have the best example of conduct”. (33:21)

The Quraan not only emphasizes the importance of remembering Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) but also guides us in how to develop that tendency. If we have a look at our main prayer called Salaah, it will follow that it helps in reinforcing and developing consciousness about the presence of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) too.

It starts with Allah o Akbar (Allah is the greatest) and thereafter all the recitations, movements and postures thereof constantly call one’s attention to the presence of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). Even if a person commits slight mistake while offering Salaah all alone, he tries to rectify it although no one can see or sense what mistake he has committed. It is the conviction that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) knows what has gone wrong.

Observing Saum (Fasting) is another ritual having more or less the same effect. The person in a state of fasting may be very hungry or thirsty, yet he avoids taking meals or drinking water even if he is all alone and there is no one to see or know what he is doing.

It is only the belief that Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) Sees what he does which impels him to avoid taking meals or drinking water. In fact, Salaah and Saum on a regular basis can be of great help in developing propensity towards the remembrance of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) everywhere at all times.

Since remembering Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) creates direct rapport between the man and Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), it could be more appropriate if the man directly invokes Allah (2:186) by calling Him by any of His specified names (7:180) as and when he repents over whatever wrong he does and seeks His forgiveness.

Likewise, if he wants to call Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) for His favors or bounty, he should do it directly on the basis of His appropriate attributes like, His Generosity, His Mercy, His Graciousness or His Magnanimity.

There can be no better way of invoking Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) than by relying on His attributes which could also be reflective of one’s faith in the Quraanic assertion that He is independent of all while all are dependent on Him. (112:2)

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