WHO amongst us dislikes being praised? Well, we might not do a certain act to be praised but yes we do feel happy when our work is appreciated. How we go ‘over the moon' when our bosses appreciate our work. Should I not remind you of a small deed by which Allah will remember you and praise you! That's Dhikr, remembering Allah. “Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying). I will remember you....'' (Qur'an, 2:152) You may remember Allah on this earth in a small gathering, but Allah, Who is high above the heavens, will remember you in a better gathering, amongst the angels. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Allah says: “I am as my slave expects me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me inwardly, I will remember him inwardly, and if he remembers Me in an assembly, I will remember him in a better assembly (i.e., in the assembly of angels).'' (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) So when we attend Islamic lectures and classes of Qur'an and Hadith in which Allah is remembered, His Religion is taught, Insha, Allah, our Creator will mention us in gatherings better than ours. When we do Dhikr, like Tasbeeh (Subhan Allah), Tamheed (Alhamdulillah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahleel (Laa ilaha illAllah) to ourselves, Allah will also Insha, Allah remember and mention us. What a great honor! Why should we do Dhikr? • Command of Allah “And remember the Name of your Lord every morning and afternoon.” (Qur'an, 76:25) • Path to success “...and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.'' (Qur'an, 62:10) • Best of deeds The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Lord, which exalt you to the high ranks, which are more efficacious than spending gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than you should encounter your enemies whom you will smite their necks and they will smite your necks?'' They said, “Certainly.'' He (peace be upon him) said, “Remembrance of Allah the Exalted.'' (Al-Tirmidhi) • Easy way to earn reward Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Wudu' is half of Salat, and the expression: Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection)' fills the Balance, and the expression: `Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah)' fills the space between the heavens and the earth.'' (Sahih Muslim) There are many more benefits of Dhikr, mentioning of which is not possible in a short article. Dhikr is a deed that doesn't take more than half a second of our time and has enormous benefits. Dear brothers and sisters, let's keep our tongues moist with Dhikr. Besides it's a very easy Ibadah. It doesn't require us to be in ablution or facing the Qiblah; it is also not restricted to specific timings – we can do it while driving, doing our household work, buying groceries, etc.
