Can you picture the great Prophet of Allah, Dāwūd (‘alayhis-salām), strolling in the morning, praising and glorifying Allah in his magnificent voice? Can you hear the mountains echoing his praises, flocks of birds chirping from above; both joining him in the dhikr of Allah?
Dhikr is one of the greatest acts of worship. It brings life to our dead hearts and brings peace and contentment to our hearts. Dhikr allows us to recognise our Creator, thank Him and gain closeness to Him.
Dhikr is not limited to human beings. Rather, the entire universe praises and glorifies Allah. Allah says:
“The seven heavens, the earth, and all those in them glorify Him. There is not a single thing that does not glorify His praises—but you cannot comprehend their glorification. He is indeed Most Forbearing, All-Forgiving.” (17:44)
Among the things which praise Allah are:
Angels
The angels are constantly glorifying and praising Allah. Allah says: “To Him belong all those in the heavens and the earth. And those nearest to Him are never too proud to worship Him, nor do they tire. They glorify Him day and night, never wavering.” (21:19-20)
Jinn
The believing Jinn also praise and remember Allah. Jābir (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came out to his companions and recited Sūrah al-Raḥmān to them from its beginning to its end. They remained silent, so he said: ‘Certainly, I recited it to the Jinn during the Night of the Jinn, and they responded to it better than you. Each time I came to the words of Allah ‘Then which of your Lord’s favours will you both deny?’, they said: ‘We do not deny any of Your favours, our Lord! And for You Alone is all praise and thanks.’’” (Tirmidhī)
Heavens & Earth
Allah says: “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah—the King, the Most Holy, the Most Powerful, the All-Wise.” (62:1)
Mountains
The mountains would join Dāwūd (‘alayhis-salām) in praising and glorifying Allah in the morning and evening. (38:18)
Thunder
Even the thunder glorifies Allah: “The thunder glorifies His praises, as do the angels in awe of Him.” (13:13)
Food
ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) said: “We used to eat with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and we would hear the food doing tasbīḥ (glorification).” (Bukhārī)
Fish & Ants
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed Allah, His Angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth – including the ant in its hole and the fish – send ṣalāh (mercy and duʿā’ for blessings) upon the one who teaches good to people.” (Tirmidhī)
Birds
Allah says: “Do you not see that Allah is glorified by all those in the heavens and the earth, even the birds as they spread out their wings? Each of them knows how to pray to Him and glorify Him. And Allah has full knowledge of all they do.” (24:41)
Trees
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ once tore a fresh tree-branch into two, and placed both pieces on two graves in which their inhabitant was getting punished, and then remarked: ‘Perhaps their punishment will be lessened until it becomes dry.” (Bukhārī) The scholars mention that this is due to the tree-branch doing dhikr.
Are You Foolish?
If someone called you ‘foolish’, how would you feel? Would you get offended? What if the Messenger of Allah ﷺ described you as foolish? Would it hurt?
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The sun does not rise except that all of Allah’s creation glorifies Allah with His praises, except for the devils and the foolish humans.” (Ibn al-Sunnī)
In order to protect ourselves from ‘foolishness’, we should remember Allah and praise Him in the morning and throughout the day. If the skies, stars, mountains and even the tiny ants crawling through the earth can glorify Allah, then we really have no excuse!
Our Lord, allows us to experience the joy of remembering You in harmony with the rest of your creation. Protect us from being from ‘the foolish humans’ Your Beloved ﷺ warned us about, and fill our hearts with Your Love.
