Six Ways to Make Dhikr An Integral Part of Your Life

By Tasnim Nazeer

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Dhikr provides us with spiritual nourishment that enables us to remember Allah and His blessings. Dhikr keeps away Shaytan (Satan) and relieves the mind from anxiety and worries. It also makes us more positive and strengthens our mind so that we can proactively work towards a better place in the hereafter. Many people wonder how they can incorporate dhikr into their busy lifestyles while balancing family, work, or other responsibilities. Following are some ways to successfully make dhikr on a daily basis:

1. Dedicate 15 minutes of time for dhikr after salah (prayers)

Spend a minimum of 15 minutes making dhikr and remembering Allah after each salah, but it can be longer if you wish. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “The uttering of the words: Subhan’Allah (Allah is free from imperfection), Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah), La ilaha illâ Allah (there is no true god except Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) is dearer to me than anything over which the sun rises.” (Muslim)

2. Create a checklist

You can create a checklist for every day of the week and note down time slots during the day where you could possibly make dhikr. You can tick off the time slots where you have successfully completed dhikr so that you know how much dhikr you have made during the week.

3. Perform dhikr whilst doing your daily tasks

You can do dhikr verbally whilst doing your daily tasks, from washing the dishes to folding away clothes or even while commuting to work. At your workplace, perform dhikr while performing the tasks which do not require much mental concentration. There are immense blessings in remembering Allah at all times of the day as Aisha (rah) said: “Allah’s Messenger (sa) used to remember Allah at all moments.” (Muslim)

4. Spend at least 10 minutes listening to dhikr on your travels

As you go about your daily routine, listen to a CD of dhikr in the car or on your mobile phone whilst travelling; make it a point to designate at least 10 minutes on this. You can choose to listen to dhikr for longer but keeping a time frame of 10 minutes will ensure that you complete this ibadah (act of worship) for a good amount of time. This can be a great way of incorporating dhikr into your life and will give you immense blessings while travelling from one place to another.

5. Choose a day in the week to talk about something that pleases Allah

Ibn Al-Qayyim suggests that dhikr encompasses, “any and every particular moment when you are thinking, saying or doing things which Allah likes.” Arrange a time with family or close friends when you can talk about Allah or projects, events or charitable causes that please Allah. This is another way of implementing dhikr and praising Allah. You may want to start by discussing a surah (chapter of the Qur’an) of your choice and then doing collective dhikr.

6. Make dhikr in good and bad situations

This worldly life has been made imperfect with its various challenges. Sometimes Allah tests us and at times, He gives us numerous blessings. If we are grateful and remember Allah in both good and bad times, He will surely increase His infinite mercy Insha’Allah, and we can earn the reward for making this heartfelt dhikr.

Tasnim Nazeer is an award winning Freelance Journalist/Writer and Author who has written for a variety of print and online publications including CNN International, The Muslim News, Your Middle East, Islam Channel and many more. She was awarded The Muslim News Award for Excellence in Media 2013 and is an UN Universal Peace Federation Ambassador for Peace. For more information visit her website at www.tasnimnazeer.com or follow her on Twitter: @tasnimnazeer1

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