Friday, April 29, 2005

Dhikr

I begin in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

Often in life we are faced with numerous problems, and often we find ourselves complaining of a life wherein we do not seem to be remotely satisfied. For example, some people are complaining of problems between their spouses and of an unhappily married life, or they happen to be annoyed with their disobedient children, what ever be the cause, there lies only one solution.

The reason why such a topic is being explored is because a well-respected Shaikh has reported that these problems that people are experiencing are not only from those muslims who do not fulfill their obligatory duties but also from those muslims who are practising and can be considered as amongst the dhakireen (i.e. those people who engage themselves in the remembrance of the Almighty)

I will be referring to two specific terms in this post: dhikr-e- qalbi, which is the remembrance of Allah (Swt) in ones heart and dhikr-e-lisaani, which is the remembrance of Allah (swt) which is done by the usage of the tounge i.e. literal remembrance of Allah (swt)

Readers, indeed we have attained that stage which is dhikr-e-lisaani wherein we remember the Almighty by prayers and praises to Almighty Allah (for example, praying subhanallah, alhamdulillah, praying the quran etc) Truly this is great and we must continue with such an act.

Those readers who do not recite such dhikr-e-lisaani must make it a habbit and incoperate daily remembrance of the Almighty into their daily lives. Whatever you may be doing, at work or in the car, shopping or even attempting a task, busy your tongues with the remembrance of Allah (swt) and inshallah the blessing of such Dhikr will be visible not only in the hereafter but also in this world.

Moving onto my main point of discussion which is regarding the first type of dhikr: dhikr-e-qalbi. Having the remembrance and fear of Allah (swt) constantly in our hearts is what we must strive to attain. The situation must become such that when one is in the presence of another fellow being than the third presence that must be felt in the heart of the individual is Almighty Allah.
By comtemplating such a thought, one will immediately be cautious of the laws and rights that Islam has declared about treating other fellow beings. (For example the individual will refrain from mocking/taunting/teasing/backbiting/slandering or any such act which is prohibited in Islam)

In such a case, where ever an individual is and what ever task he/she is engaged in, the fear of disobeying Allah (swt) will always be present, then I ask you dearest readers, how can one possibly even contemplate upon sinning and behaving in a way which is against the pleasure of the Almighty?

I end by making a supplication: Oh Allah (swt) we beg You to instill in our hearts the fear of sinning and incurring Your displeasure, Oh Allah (swt) we beg You to create dhikr-e-qalbi in our weak tainted hearts, Oh Allah (swt) we beg You to forgive our past sins and we beg You to give us the ability to ask for genuine forgiveness when we do sin, Oh Allah (swt) we beg you to make us amongst those that have become the beloved of You and You're Prophet Muhammed (saw).
Ameen