Dhikr, (Arabic: “reminding oneself” or “mention”)
Dhikr is one way to keep God in your mind and heart as you go about your day. The word “dhikr” (ذِكْر, also zikr, thikr, zekr, or zikar) is an Arabic word that refers to the act of remembering and glorifying Allah, as well as the prayers used in this act of remembering.
Importance of Dhikr
Mentioning and praising Allah the Merciful is one of the simplest forms of worship a Muslim can do. It is easy to practice and can be done anywhere, at anytime. Regardless of its ease in performance, Dhikr plays a fundamental role in the life of a believer. While it serves as a reminder and a source of worship, it brings peace and tranquility in our lives.
Why should we perform Dhikr?
Dhikr is a form of worship; one of the easiest to perform and heaviest on the scales on the Day of Judgment. However just like Allah the Merciful doesn’t need our worship; He also does not need our praise. It is us, ourselves who need it and will benefit from it.
| Arabic | Transliteration | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ | Lā ilāha illā-Allāh | There is no god but Allah |
| سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ | Subḥāna-llāh | Allah is free from imperfection |
| اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ | Alḥamdu li-llāh | All praise be to Allah |
| اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ | Allāhu akbar | Allah is the Greatest |
| أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ | Astaghfiru ʾllāh | I ask God’s forgiveness |
| يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ | Yā Dha-l-Jalāli wa-l-Ikrām | O The Lord of Majesty & Honour |
| يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ ، بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْثُ | Yā Ḥayyu yā Qayyūm, bi-raḥmatika astaghīth | O The Ever Living, The One Who sustains and protects all that exists; I seek assistance through Your Mercy |
| لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ | Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāh | There is no power (in averting evil) or strength (in attaining good) except through Allah |
| لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنْتَ سُبۡحٰنَكَ إِنِّيْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ | Lā ilāha illā Anta subḥānaka innī kuntu mina-ẓ-ẓālimīn. | There is no god worthy of worship except You; You are free from all imperfection. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers. (21:87) |
| سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ الْعَظِيْم | Subḥāna-llāhi wa bi-ḥamdihī, subḥāna-llāhi-l-aẓīm. | Allah is free from imperfection and all praise is due to Him, Allah is free from imperfection, the Greatest |
| لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ | Lā ilāha illā-Allāh, waḥdahū lā sharīka lah, lahu-l-mulk, wa lahu-l-ḥamd, wa Huwa ʿalā kulli shay’in Qadīr | There is no god but Allah. He is Alone and He has no partner whatsoever. To Him Alone belong all sovereignty and all praise. He is over all things All-Powerful |