We have said that Sufism is the practical application to the rank of Al Ihsan, which means to put in your mind that Almighty Allah sees you all the time. Of course, we can’t attain this target without remembering Allah all the time. So, Zhikr (remembering Allah) is so important, even in the most serious situations such as wars. Look into the following Verse
Believers, when you meet an army stand firm and remember Allah abundantly, in order that you are prosperous. [AL Anfal 45]
So, all Sufis agree that Dhikr is one of the main pillars of Sufism in all cases: either we are standing, sitting or on our sides. Al Hakeem Attaermidhy said, “Dhikr has five benefits: Almighty Allah will be satisfied with you; it softens one’s heart; it increases all kinds of good; it safeguards you from the devil; and it prevents you from doing sins.”
Dhikr has three ranks: most ordinary people remember Allah with their tongues. In a higher rank, we find some special believers remember Him with their hearts. Some very special believers, who are in a state of annihilation in His Self, remember Him with their souls, which is the highest rank
Dhikr makes man closer to his Lord as far as he remembers Him. Attabarany and Ibn Hibban reported that the Messenger of Allah (Prayers and peace be upon him) reported from his Lord Who says, “I am with My slave as long as he remembers Me and his lips move with it.”
Al Bazzar narrated from Ibn Omar that the Messenger of Allah (Prayers and peace be upon him) said, “No day, no night, no hour, but Allah is so prosperous to His slaves and grants them with His gifts. But no gift is better than inspiring them with remembering Him.” (1)
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “There are twenty four hours a day. “La Ilaha Illa Allah, Mohammad Rasoul Allah” is twenty four letters (in Arabic). Every letter is a penance for an hour. It forgives one’s sins if one says it once a day.” Here are some other Hadeeths on remembering Allah:
- Abu Addardaa’, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah (Prayers and peace be upon him) said, “Will I tell you about the best of your deeds to thy Lord, the highest in rank, which is better than paying out gold and silver, and is better than killing your enemies and being killed in battles?” “O the Messenger of Allah! What is it?” They asked. He said, “Remembering Allah, glory be to Him.” (2)
- It was narrated from Anas, May Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah (Prayers and peace be upon him) said, “Allah will say: get him out of Hell who remembered Me one day or feared Me in a certain situation.” (3)
- Al Bukhari, Muslim and Ibn Maja narrated from Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah (Prayers and peace be upon him) said, “Almighty Allah says, ‘I am at My slave’s thinking of Me. I am with him if he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I will remember him in Myself. If he remembers Me in an assembly, I will remember him in a better assembly. If he approaches Me a span of a hand, I will approach him a cubit. If he approaches Me a cubit, I will approach him a span of the outstretched arms. If he comes walking to Me, I will come running to him.‟
- Ahmed narrated from Abdullah Ibn Amro, may Allah be pleased with them, said, “O Messenger of Allah! What is the gain of sessions of remembering Allah?” “The gain of sessions of remembering Allah is Paradise.” He answered
My grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Amin Al Kordy, may Allah sanctify his soul, said: Sheikh Abu Sa'eed Al Kharraz said: when Allah wants to favour one of His slaves, He inspires him with Dhikr. If he takes delight in it, He favours him with His nearness. Then, He raises him to the attendance of His intimacy and uncovers the veils between Him and His slave. At this point, the slave finds himself in complete annihilation or effacement. (4)
See: Guidelines on Sufism and the Naqshabandi Tariqa (Questions and Answers) by Counselor Dr. Mohammad Najm Addin Al Kordy, Translation: Taha Ibrahim Badr
- Narrated by Al Bazzar Hadeeth No. 3891
- Narrated by Al Hakem No. 1825, Ibn Maja No. 379, Attermidhy No. 3377, and Imam Malik No.492
- Narrated by Attermidhy Hadeeth No. 2594
- "Tanweer Al Qoloob" p. 518 Edition 1358