Page 17 - Pakistan Link - August 25, 2023

COMMENTARY PAKISTAN LINK - AUGUST 25, 2023 - P17
Keeping Our Iman Strong with Dhikr Gems from the Holy Qur’an

that remind us of Allah. More specifi-
cally, they are the words we say in re-
membrance of Him.
Throughout the Qur’an, Allah re-
minds us to regularly say words that
praise Him, The All-Hearing. Allah
commands us to be mindful of Him.
He says:
“So remember Me; I will remember
you. And be grateful to Me, and do not
deny Me.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:152)
Allah has ordered us to remember
Him frequently. He says: From the translation by Muham- “Who, now, is this Sustainer of you
“O you who have believed, remem- mad Asad (Leopold Weiss) two, O Moses?” He replied: “Our
n By C. Islaah Abd’al-Rahim
“You do not have faith, but rather ber Allah with much remembrance.” Sustainer is He who gives unto ev-
Baltimore say 'We have surrendered in Islam,’ for (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:41) About the translator: erything [that exists] its true nature
faith has not entered your hearts. If Dhikr, however, goes beyond mere- Muhammad Asad, Leopold and form, and thereupon guides it
uslims believe that Allah is you obey Allah and His Messenger, He ly thinking about our Lord. This re- Weiss, was born of Jewish parents [towards its fulfilment].”
the Creator of everything will not diminish anything from your membrance can be achieved internally, in Livow, Austria (later Poland) in Chapter 20, Verses 80 – 82
Mthat exists. We believe He deeds. Verily, Allah is Forgiving and in the heart, but it is also manifest ex- 1900, and at the age of 22 made his
is our Lord and Sustainer, and we be- Merciful.’" ternally, with the tongue and limbs. first visit to the Middle East. He O children of Israel! [Thus]
lieve He manages the affairs of His en- (Surah Hujurat, 49:14) later became an outstanding for- We saved you from your enemy,
tire creation. We profess belief in Him Iman consists of a belief in the What Should We Say? eign correspondent for the Fran- and [then] We made a covenant
with our tongues, but then we must heart, a statement of the tongue, and The best dhikr is that which is from furter Zeitung, and after years of with you on the right-hand slope
strive to feel it in our hearts, and allow the actions of the limbs of our bodies. the book of Allah because the book devoted study became one of the of Mount Sinai, and repeatedly
that feeling to be the catalyst for our One of our goals as Muslims must be of Allah is the best speech that exists. leading Muslim scholars of our age. sent down manna and quails unto
actions. Although our verbal profes- to acquire, maintain, and increase our After that, there are words and phrases His translation of the Holy Qur’an you, [saying,] “Partake of the good
sions may remain relatively constant, iman. Our faith must be nurtured and that have been singled out in the Sun- is one of the most lucid and well- things which We have provided
the level of our iman (or faith) can protected. It must be fed the things nah to be beneficial dhikr. For exam- referenced works in this category, for you as sustenance, but do not
and does change. It ebbs and flows. that can sustain it. We should be con- ple, Jabir, may Allah be pleased with dedicated to “li-qawmin yatafak- transgress therein the bounds of
We, then, have to do the righteous ac- stantly concerned about it like the early him, reported that the Prophet, peace karoon” (people who think). For- equity lest My condemnation fall
tions that will maintain and increase Muslims who often asked the Prophet and blessings be upon him, said: warded by Dr Ismat Kamal. upon you: for, he upon whom My
our iman. questions about the status of their faith. “The best remembrance of Allah condemnation falls has indeed
Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased is to repeat ‘La ilaha ilAllah,’ There is Chapter 20, Verses 25 - 35 thrown himself unto utter ruin!”
Acquiring and Increasing Iman with him, reported that the Prophet, nothing worthy of worship except Al- Said [Moses]: “Open up my heart Yet withal, I forgive all sins unto
The majority of the scholars in Islam peace and blessings be upon him, said: lah.” [to Thy light], and make my task easy any who repents and attains to
agree that iman is not static; it increases “Renew your faith.” The compan- These are the same words we say for me, and loosen the knot from my faith and does righteous deeds, and
with obedience to Allah's commands ions asked, “How can we renew our when we accept Islam. These are the tongue so that they might fully un- thereafter keeps to the right path.
and decreases with disobedience. Ac- faith?” The Prophet replied, “Say al- words we hope to implement in our derstand my speech, and appoint for
quiring iman, therefore, is a process. It ways, ‘La ilaha ilAllah’ (there is none lives. These are the same words we me, out of my kinsfolk, one who will Chapter 20, Verse 131
does not penetrate one’s heart simply worthy of worship except Allah).” That want to say as we lay dying, inshaAl- help me to bear my burden: Aaron, And never turn thine eyes [with
because one is a Muslim by birth or by repeated statement is an example of lah, God-willing. my brother. Add Thou through him longing] towards whatever splendor
conversion. Iman is granted by Allah, dhikr. There are many other words to say to my strength, and let him share of this world’s life We may have al-
as a result of His Mercy, to those who when we dhikr. The Prophet, peace and my task, so that [together] we might lowed so many others to enjoy in or-
sincerely strive for it. When the no- Dhikr – The Remembrance of Allah blessings be upon him, said: abundantly extol Thy limitless glory der that We might test them thereby:
madic Bedouin tribes came to see the Dhikr of Allah is one of the most “The most beloved speech to Allah and remember Thee without cease! for the sustenance which thy Sustain-
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon beneficial behaviors for Muslims In consists of four. There is no harm with Verily, Thou seest all that is within er provides [for thee] is better and
him, they proclaimed, “We have faith.” their most general sense, adhkar (plu- which one you begin: ‘Subhana Allaa- us!” more enduring.
But they were corrected and told: ral of dhikr) are the good behaviors hi, wal hamdu lillaahi, wa la illaah ila Chapter 20, Verses 49 - 50
Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar.’” [But when God’s message was Translator’s Notes
(Sahih Muslim) conveyed unto Pharaoh,] he said: [ 1 ] I.e., the time of its coming.
“Indeed the best dua is ‘alhamdulil-
lah’ and the best dhikr is ‘la ilaha illAl-
lah’.” and earth. Glory be to Allah, filling people of understanding. He then con-
(Tirmidhi #3383) what He has created. Glory be to Al- tinues;
"Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa lah, the number of what is written in “Those who remember Allah stand-
bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, His book. Glory be to Allah filling all ing, sitting, and lying down on their
will be forgiven all his sins even if they things.] sides, and [who] think deeply about
were as much as the foam of the sea." And then say the creation of the heavens and the
(Sahih Bukhari #6405) ‘Al-hamdu lillah…” likewise.’” Earth, (saying), 'Our Lord! You have
Also, Abu Umamah, may Allah be (Al-Silsilah al-Saheehah #2578) not created this without purpose. Glo-
pleased with him, said: These are just a few of the many ry to You! Give us salvation from the
“The Prophet saw me moving my adhkar that we can use to boost our torment of the Fire'” (Surah Al-Imran,
lips and he said to me, ‘What are you iman. What is most important is that 3:191)
saying, O Abu Umamah?’ I said, ‘I am the words we say are heartfelt and per- When we witness miracles in na-
remembering Allah, O Messenger of missible according to the Qur’an and ture, we should remember Allah. When
Allah.’ He said, ‘Shall I not tell you of Sunnah. we are afflicted with trials, we should
something better or greater than your remember Allah. When we are joyful
dhikr of night and day (or of day and When Should We Make Dhikr? and celebratory, we should remember
night)? You should say: There are certain times during the Allah. Dhikr must become our habit if
‘Subhan Allah ‘adad ma khalaqa. day when dhikr is highly encouraged. we are to increase our iman.
Subhan Allah mil’a ma khalaqa. Sub- Allah, the Almighty, said:
han Allah ‘adad ma fi’l-ard wa’l-sama. "Celebrate (constantly) the praises How Should We Make Dhikr?
Subhan Allah mil’a ma fi’l-samai wa’l- of thy Lord before the rising of the sun The words we say in our adhkar
ard. Subhan Allah mil’a ma khalaqa. and before its setting." must be said with the correct intention.
Subhan Allah ‘adad ma ahsa kitabuhu. (Surah Ta Ha, 20:130) We should strive to not only say the
Subhan Allah mil’a kulli shay’in.’ Although dhikr may be associated words with our tongues, but the words
[Glory be to Allah (Subhanallah), with certain times of the day, like those should come from our hearts and be
the number of what He has created. that are offered after obligatory prayers, followed up with actions that affirm our
Glory be to Allah, filling what He has dhikr is appropriate during many other statements. In addition, Ibn al-Qayyim,
created. Glory be to Allah, the number times. Allah praises the ones who re- may Allah have mercy on him, classifies
of what is in earth and heaven. Glory member him in all of the situations of these levels of dhikr, saying,
be to Allah, filling what is in heaven their lives and describes them as being (Continued on page 19)
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