Rest your heart in His Remembrance [13:28]

Human beings are always searching for peace and happiness. We may try to find it in material success, in relationships, in personal achievements, in curated experiences or in self-care. We spend a lot of time in our days moving away from pain and moving towards pleasure or satisfaction [do reflect on this – at any given moment in the day, your actions are motivated by one of these two things – moving away from pain or moving towards satisfaction].

 The truth is that we are living in an imperfect world and with imperfect fellow humans [!] and there is always plenty to disrupt our search for inner peace and satisfaction.  

 The Quran points to a simple and profound way that we can find what we are seeking:  

الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ أَلاَ بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُو

[13:28] Those who believe and whose hearts are set at rest by the remembrance of Allah; now surely by Allah's remembrance are the hearts set at rest.

 The itminan of the qalb that we seek, is achieved by the remembrance of Allah, by connecting with, and plugging into the Source of Peace [As-Salam] itself.

 What is Dhikr?

Broadly, dhikr is anything we do that makes us remember Allah. The Quran, for example says tells us that one of the purposes of prayer is to establish His remembrance.

 More specifically, the practice of dhikr involves focused attention and repetition of the Names of Allah as a way to establish His presence in our moments and in our lives.

The beauty of Dhikr lies in its simplicity and accessibility. While most acts of worship have a specific time and place, the practice of dhikr is open-ended, accessible and not limited to a time or place. The ease with which Dhikr can be incorporated into daily life makes it a practical and effective tool for maintaining a constant connection with the divine.

It is said that a man said to the Holy Prophet [saw], "O Messenger of Allah, the laws of Islam are too many for me, so tell me something I can hold onto." The Holy Prophet [saw] replied: "Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah."

 The Transformative Power of Dhikr

 Engaging in regular dhikr/remembrance has profound effects on our all aspects of our wellbeing.

Let’s consider the following:

 Mental and emotional wellbeing: Scientific studies on mindfulness and meditation show that regularly engaging in practices of focused attention and awareness can significantly reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve emotional regulation by reducing cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone.

 The rhythmic repetition of phrases like "SubhanAllah," "Alhamdulillah," and "Allahu Akbar", for example can induce a state of calm and relaxation. This meditative practice which we engage in several times a day, has the potential to slow down breathing, lower heart rate, and help the mind focus away from stressors in the past and future.

 Increased mindfulness: Dhikr is a form of mindfulness practice, which involves being present and fully engaged in the moment. By focusing on the recitation and the meaning behind the words, you anchor yourself in the present, reducing the impact of negative thoughts about the past or future. This mindfulness helps improve concentration and cognitive function, making it easier to navigate daily tasks with clarity and purpose. A huge difference between secular meditation and dhikr, however is, that while mindfulness helps you connect with yourself, dhikr helps you connect with the Divine.

 Improved Self-Control and Discipline: Regular practice of Dhikr can enhance self-discipline and control. The commitment to engage in Dhikr, especially at specific times of the day, requires a degree of self-regulation that can translate into other areas of life. This discipline can help you manage impulses, make better decisions, and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

 Strengthened Resilience: Dhikr can also build emotional resilience, helping you to cope better with life’s challenges. By fostering a deep sense of connection with Allah, you gain a source of strength and comfort that is always accessible. This spiritual resilience can buffer against the impact of trauma and adversity, providing a stable foundation from which to recover and grow.

 Spiritual wellbeing: Scholars spell out the multitude of ways that dhikr can help us connect with Him and improve our spiritual wellbeing. For example:

 The remembrance of His blessings leads one to show his gratitude for Him.

The remembrance of His Power causes one of putting his trust in Him.

The remembrance of His favours serves as the source of our love for Him.

The remembrance of His Majesty inspires awe of Him in us.

The remembrance of His magnitude and greatness causes one’s humility and submission towards Him.

The remembrance of His Omniscience in the open and hidden serves as an impetus for developing self-control and self-regulation.

The remembrance of His forgiveness and generosity serves as our source of hope and repentance.

The remembrance of His justice serves as an impetus for our piety and accountability.

 "For everything there is a polish, and the polish of the heart is the remembrance of God." One of the most common analogies for the heart therefore is a mirror. When a mirror has stains on it, it does not reflect accurately the object that stands before it. Some aspects of the object standing before a grimy mirror may come through, but not the object in its actual pristine form. The heart, likewise, is capable of becoming sullied by evil actions and thoughts in general and by the forgetfulness of God in particular, so that it cannot reflect the truth in its purity and totality. Sufis thus say that whenever human beings are in a state of forgetfulness of God, the mirror of the heart becomes rusty and is therefore in need of polishing. Constant remembrance and invocation of God thus burnishes the mirror of the heart so that it is no longer covered by the rust of forgetfulness of Him. [Nasr, Seyyed Hossein; Dagli, Caner K.; Dakake, Maria Massi; Lumbard, Joseph E.B.; Rustom, Mohammed. The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary (p. 623). HarperCollins]

Making Dhikr a Habit

With a simple intention and attention, we can begin or enhance a daily practice of dhikr.

A Simple Daily Practice: Connecting with Allah’s Names

  If you’re looking for a way to incorporate dhikr into your daily life, try this simple exercise for just 5-10 minutes today:
·       Find a quiet moment – early morning, before bed, or in the middle of a busy day.
·       Take a deep breath – inhale deeply and exhale slowly.
·       Choose one of Allah’s Beautiful Names – As-Salam, Ar-Rahman, Al-Wali, or any that resonates with you.
·       Softly repeat it – either aloud or in your heart, letting its meaning settle within you.
·       Reflect – Ask yourself, "How can this Name manifest in my life today?"

The beauty of dhikr is that it requires nothing but sincerity. No matter where you are, what you are doing or what you’re going through, you can always turn to Allah’s remembrance.

And in doing so, you will find that peace isn’t something you have to chase—it’s something that arises naturally when you realign yourself with Him.

 Let us end by turning to the words of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) as he beautifully describes the heart of a believer as "the sanctuary of Allah", "so do not allow anyone to dwell in Allah’s sanctuary except Him."  (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 67, p. 25)

 May our hearts find rest in His remembrance. Ameen