Remembering God
Dhikr is to remember God, the greatest of all realities. Remembrance of such a Being is bound to be the greatest of all human experiences; there are no words that fully express the profundity of that feeling.
Dhikr is an Arabic word; it means remembrance. Dhikrullah, then, simply means to remember God. It is not a formal act but rather a spontaneous one, which comes as naturally to one who has come to know God as singing does to a bird.
A spiritual upheaval of utmost intensity occurs in an individual who discovers God in all His power and glory. Suddenly, God is forever in his heart and thoughts. His constant remembrance of God expresses itself in multifarious forms. Sometimes it is an inward experience—a tingle of joy, a shiver of fear that creeps down his body as thoughts of God fill his mind. Sometimes, he enters into a spontaneous outpouring of thanksgiving and adoration. This state of mind constitutes remembrance of God, whether it is expressed in the form of words of praise or silent thoughts.
Sometimes, a man looks at outer space in its infinite vastness and ponders on the stars and constellations. “How great must be the Lord who has arranged this marvellous display and runs it with such superb finesse!” Such is his reaction to the sight spread out before him. Sometimes, he gazes at rivers, trees, and mountains, and his heart is touched by their beauty, by the very meaningfulness of their existence. If an individual has discovered God, everything around them reminds him of God, sparking a never-ending litany of remembrance in his mind and heart.
Then he will look critically at himself and realize his errors and shortcomings. Moved to seek the Lord’s forgiveness, he will pray to Him for salvation from eternal punishment: “Lord, admit me into the shade of Your mercy on that Day when there will be no other place for me to take refuge.” Moreover, in his helplessness and impotence, he will see the power and majesty of God. He will then cry out, “Lord, assuage my fears with Your Almighty power!”
When feelings of the Lord’s presence enter a man’s heart, and he puts these feelings into words, that is when he remembers God; that is when he is engaged in Dhikr. Dhikr is to remember God, the greatest of all realities. Remembrance of such a being is bound to be the greatest of all human experiences; there are no words that fully express the profundity of that feeling.
