By Shaykh Abdul Qayum | 12 Jan 2024

In this week’s sermon I underscored the value and importance of engaging in the constant remembrance of Allah. In His infinite wisdom, Allah has provided us with an easy yet highly rewarding form of worship – dhikr,the remembrance of Allah. It is the focus of all our Ibadah, including Salah. As Allah says in the Qur’an (20:14): “so worship Me and establish Salah for My remembrance.”

Out of His tremendous mercy, Allah has made the highest act of worship something extremely simple and effortless. Giving charity undoubtedly accrues great spiritual rewards but requires material wealth to distribute. Fasting develops self-restraint yet demands enduring a day without food or drink. 

In contrast, dhikr can be invoked anytime, anywhere without hardship or financial cost. Whether at the office, home, or in transit we can utter praises of Allah and reap eternal blessings. As He declares: “The men and women who remember Allah frequently, for them Allah has forgiveness and a great reward.” (33:35)

Supplications and remembrances, serve as a powerful connection between us and our Creator. In our busy lives, amidst the hustle and bustle, we often find ourselves heedless, neglecting the easy yet rewarding Ibadah of dhikr. However, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) reminds us that the similitude of one who remembers Allah and one who does not is like that of the living and the dead.

The remembrance of Allah is not restricted by time or place. It is an ongoing, continuous act that transcends the boundaries of our daily routines. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to always remember Allah, except when entering the toilet.

Allah, in His mercy, has granted us beautiful adhkars and du‘as that we can incorporate into our daily lives. These supplications serve as a means to seek goodness in this world and the hereafter. Engaging in dhikr is a manifestation of our love for Allah, and through it, Allah remembers us. 

In the midst of worldly distractions, we are warned not to let wealth and children divert us from the remembrance of Allah. As the Most High reminds us in the Qur’an: “O believers! Do not let your wealth or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah.” (63:9)

Those who succumb to heedlessness are declared as losers in the eyes of Allah. “Indeed, those who do not expect to meet Us, being pleased and content with this worldly life, and who are heedless of Our signs, they will have the Fire as a home because of what they have committed.” (10:7–8)

The Qur’an reminds us that our lives are finite, and worldly possessions are temporary. Yet, the enduring good deeds, such as consistent remembrance of Allah, are better for us when we look at life through the lens of our eternal salvation.

I urge you just as I urged the congregation, to be careful not to waste our precious time and opportunities. Utilise every moment for the remembrance of Allah, for this act is a sign of a truly alive heart. As we face challenges and anxieties, remember that the remembrance of Allah brings peace and tranquillity to our minds and hearts: “Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquillity.” (13:28)

Whether at home surrounded by family, immersed in your occupations, or even in transit. Even minimal invocation, as effortless as SubhanAllah and Alhamdulillah, accrues eternal blessings in the hereafter. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ embodied this teaching, practicing constant dhikr — thus setting the most perfect example for every Muslim seeking closeness to Allah.

I encourage each one of you to invest in a Dua book, such as ‘Fortress of the Muslim’ (Hisnul Muslim), and make it a part of your daily routine. Share this knowledge with your family, instil the love of Dhikr in your children, and collectively strive to be among those whom Allah loves.

May Allah grant us the ability to remember Him frequently, seek His forgiveness, and attain the tranquillity that comes with His remembrance.

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