The Virtue of the Remembrance of Allah

There are two words which are light on the tongue, heavy on the scale, and loved by the Most Merciful: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdi, SubhanAllahi al-azeem (Glorified is Allah and praised is He, Glorified is Allah the Most Great).

(Bukhari and Muslim)

This hadith tells us that by just uttering these words we can gain many rewards from Allah Azzawajal [Mighty and the Majestic]. Reciting this 100 times daily is said to erase all sins, no matter how large and you are also gaining rewards for remembering Allah Azzawajal, SubhanAllah. See how Generous our Creator is, how Merciful and Forgiving He is, Alhamdulillah [Praise be to Allah].

The remembrance of Allah Azzawajal is to benefit ourselves, Allah does not require anything from us, but us who require Him. 

"...are signs for those of understanding, who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], 'Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; Exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire."

(Qur'an: Sural ali-Imran 3, verses 190-191)

It is vital to take great importance upon the remembrance of Allah in all that you do in your day-to-day life in this world. The remembrance of Allah Azzawajal is greater than everything 

"O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance. And exalt Him morning and afternoon. It is He who confers blessings upon you and His angels [ask Him to do so] that He may bring you out of darkness into light. And ever is he, to the believers, Merciful."

(Qur'an: Surah Al-Ahzab, the combined forces 33, verses 41-43)

Here Allah Subhana Wa ta'ala instructs us to remember Him with much remembrance and to exalt Him following our 5 daily prayers. Not only to remember Him after prayers but to remember Allah Azzawajal when leaving the home, when greeting others, when entering the bathroom, upon dressing and undressing, etc. Remember Him in everything that you do, saying Bismillah [in the name of Allah] before doing anything is essential, it adds blessings and much more.

"Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and the believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and the truthful women, the patient men and the patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them, Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward."

(Qur'an: Surah Al-Ahzab, The Combined Forces 33, verse 35)

We should have awareness and vigilance in our actions and words, and then we should aim to make our intentions sincere and only to please the Creator. It is not just a one-off this is something we have to implement in everything that we do. To remember Allah wholeheartedly, inwardly and outwardly. Keeping our thoughts positive, includes positive thoughts of Allah, our religion, our Prophet SAWS etc.

"The devil is encircling the heart of the son of Adam, when he mentions Allah, he withdraws; but when he is neglectful, he makes evil suggestions."

(Sahih Bukhari Hadith)

To remember Allah often repels the Shaytan [Devil/Satan] 

Ibn Al-Qayyim said: ‘The remembrance of Allah represses the Shaitan, it puts him in distress, and afflicts injuries upon him like the injuries whips inflict when used. This is why the Shaitan of the believer becomes weak and frail. This is because every time the Shaitan interferes with him, the believer releases upon him his whips of remembrance, of turning towards Allah, of seeking forgiveness and obedience. Thus, his Shaitan will be in a severe state of punishment. On the other hand, the Shaitan of the evil-doer gets a lot stronger and arrogant due to him being in a state of leisure and gentleness. So whoever doesn’t punish their Shaitan in this world with his remembrance of Allah, his monotheism, his seeking forgiveness and his obedience towards Allah then they will be punished by their Shaitan with the blazing fire in the hereafter. So there is no escape from whether you punish your Shaitan or get punished by him.’ 

Dhikr (remembrance) is not only to remember and mention Allah when we are on our own and when we have finished our obligatory prayers, but to remember Him amongst other people, in public settings, private settings, whenever and wherever you are. There is no requirement to have wudu [ritual ablution] for dhikr [remembrance of Allah], it can be pronounced from the tongue or done silently, however, one must not do it to show off to others or to do it carelessly with an inattentive heart. When I am out walking I do dhikr, and reflect on the creation whilst remember the Creator of all the beauty I see.

There are so many virtues for the remembrance of Allah:

• Pleases Allah SWT
• Removes worry & distress from the heart
• It brings you closer to Allah SWT
• Allah loves the one who remembers Him
• It is food for the heart & soul
• It wipes away sins
• Dhikr gathering are gathering places for the angels
• Dhikr is one of the easiest forms of worship
• Planting trees in Paradise
• Brings blessings from Allah 
• Repels harm
• Remembering Allah greatly is a protection from hypocrisy