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Relates Hazrat Abdullah bin Omar that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) once said. “There is a polish for everything; for the hearts it is the Zikr of Allah. Nothing is more effective then Zikr for deliverance from Divine chastisement.”

It should be understood clearly that the real meaning of Zikr is that a man should never be without the thought of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa).In whatever circumstances he may be placed, with whatever thing he may be occupied, he must not allow himself to become unmindful of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa), His laws and ordinances. Though for this it is not necessary that the tongue should also always be repeating His names, attributes etc., such a state of permanent and all pervading Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) consciousness is commonly found only in devout servants of the Lord who succeed in producing within themselves and everlasting awareness of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) and a feeling of infinite devotion to Him through frequent Zikr. There is developing a tendency among some of the modern educated people to hold the Zikr as futile. This is a grave folly. Zikr is a most valuable instrument for forging a living and all-embracing link with Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa). The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was very clear about its worth and importance.

It is related by Hazrat Abdullah bin Busr that once a man presented himself before the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said, “O Prophet of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa), there are numerous teachings of Islam. Please tell me something which I may hold fast forever”. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied, “Keep your tongue wet always with the Zikr of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa).

Another Tradition related by Hazrat Abu Huraira reads; “Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) says, ‘when anyone remembers Me and his lips move in My Zikr, I am by his side’”.

Some Zikr formulas of the Prophet (Peace be upon him)

The value and importance of Zikr would have become apparent from the Quranic verses and Traditions we have just quoted. We have seen how Zikr of Allah promotes and strengthens Divine love in our hearts. Below we give some of the favorite Zikr formulas of the holy Prophet (Peace be upon him).

Foremost

Relates Hazrat Jabir from the Prophet (Peace be upon him) that:

“The best of all Zikrs is the Zikr of “La ilaha illallah.”

Narrates Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) once remarked:

“When anyone recites “La ilaha illallah” from the depth of his heart the gates of the heavens open for the Kalima till it reaches the seventh heaven provided, of course, that the devotee abstains from the major sins.”

According to another tradition the Prophet (Peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

“Once Moses (Alaihis Salaam) begged the Lord to tell him something through which he could do His Zikr. The Lord told him to do so through the Kalima of “La ilaha illallah” upon which Moses (Alaihis Salaam) said, “This is what everyone does. I want something special. Came the reply, ‘If the seven heavens and all the heavenly creatures and the seven climes on the earth and all that is contained in them are placed on one