Remembering Allah is one of the most virtuous actions we can perform. There are some forms of dhikr which are time and context-specific. There are others which are ‘general’ and can be performed at any time and in unlimited quantities. This type of dhikr includes the recitation of the Qur’ān, tahlīl, tasbīḥ, taḥmīd, takbīr, ḥawqalah and the Names of Allah.

Dhikr is one of the greatest actions we can perform. When we remember Allah, He remembers us. Through dhikr, our hearts find true peace. Dhikr is one of the strongest forms of protection against shayṭān, the punishment of Allah, and all evil. Through dhikr, we can get to know Allah, love Him and attain closeness to Him.

  • Tahlil: The Best Dhikr

    لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

    (1x)

    There is no god but Allah.

    Lā ilāha illā-Allāh

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The best dhikr is لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا الله.” (Nasā’ī)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The best of what I and the Prophets before me have said is: لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ.” (Muwatta’)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When a servant of Allah utters the words لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا الله sincerely, the doors of Paradise open up for these words until they reach the Throne of Allah, so long as its utterer keeps away from the major sins.” (Tirmidhī)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Renew your faith.” The companions (radiy Allāhū ‘anhum) asked: “How can we renew our faith?” He ﷺ replied: “Be frequent in saying لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا الله.” (Ahmad)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah has made Hell-fire unlawful for the one who, seeking His pleasure, says لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا الله.” (Bukhārī)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “He whose last words are لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا الله will enter Paradise.” (Abū Dāwūd)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The most fortunate person who will have my intercession on the Day of Judgement will be the one who said لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا الله sincerely from his heart.” (Bukhārī)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When death approached Allah’s Prophet Nūh (ʿalayhi s-salām), he said to his son: ‘… I command you with لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا الله. Surely if the seven heavens and the seven earths were placed on a pan of a scale, and لَا إِلهَ إِلَّاالله was placed on the other pan, it would outweigh them.’” (al-Adab al-Mufrad)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed Allah will choose a man from my ummah in front of all of creation on the Day of Judgement. He will lay out 99 scrolls for him; each scroll will be as far as the eye can see. Then He will ask: ‘Do you deny any of this? Have my assiduous scribes wronged you?’ He will reply: ‘No, O Lord!’ He will ask: ‘Do you have an excuse?’ He will reply: ‘No, O Lord!’ So He will say: ‘On the contrary! Certainly you have a good deed with us, and you shall not be wronged today.’ Then a card will be brought out and it will contain أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ ورَسُوْلُهُ. Then He will say: ‘Bring your scales.’ He will say: ‘O Lord! What good is this card next to these scrolls?’ He will say: ‘You shall not be wronged.’ The scrolls will be put on one pan of the scale, and the card on the other. The scrolls will be light, and the card will be heavy, as nothing is heavier than the Name of Allah.” (Tirmidhī)

    Explanation coming soon…

  • Tasbih (Subhana-llah), Tahmid (Alhamdu li-llah), Takbir (Allahu akbar)

    سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ ، اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

    (1x)

    Allah is free from imperfection. All praise be to Allah. Allah is the Greatest.

    Subḥāna-llāh. Alḥamdu li-llāh, Allāhu akbar.

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The most beloved statements to Allah are four: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ ، وَلَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَر.” (Muslim)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There is none better in the sight of Allah than a believer whose life is lengthened in Islam and who frequently utters takbīr, tasbīh, tahlīl and tahmīd.” (Ahmad)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There isn’t anyone upon the earth who says:
    لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِالله
    except that his sins shall be pardoned, even if they were like the foam of the sea.” (Tirmidhī)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There are two statements that are light on the tongue, heavy on the Scale and are beloved to the Most Merciful: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ الْعَظِيْم.” (Bukhārī)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Perform tasbīh 100 times, for it is equivalent to freeing 100 slaves among the children of Ismā’īl. Perform tahmīd 100 times, for it is equivalent to 100 saddled and bridled horses which you load in the path of Allah. Peform takbīr 100 times, for it is equivalent to 100 adorned and accepted camels.” (Ahmad)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Every tasbīh is a charity, every takbīr is a charity, every tahmīd is a charity, and every tahlīl is a charity.” (Muslim)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “For your shield from the Hell-Fire, say: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ ، وَلَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَر as they will indeed come on the Day of Judgement as saviours and preceding good actions, and they are the lasting good deeds of the righteous.” (Hākim)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I met Ibrāhīm (ʿalayhi s-salām) on the Night of al-Isrā’ (night journey), and he said to me: ‘O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your ummah, and tell them that Paradise has pure soil and sweet water, and it is a flat treeless plain. Its plants are: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَر. ’” He ﷺ also said: “Whoever says سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِه, a palm-tree will be planted for him in Paradise.” (Tirmidhī)

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Indeed what you remember of Allah’s Glory (by uttering) tasbīh, takbīr, tahlīl and tahmīd, gather around the Throne of Allah, buzzing like bees, mentioning to Allah the person who uttered them. Do you not wish to have someone who mentions you by Him?” (Ibn Mājah)

    Explanation coming soon…

  • Hawqalah: A Treasure From the Treasures of Paradise

    لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ

    (1x)

    There is no power (in averting evil) or strength (in attaining good) except through Allah

    Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāh

    The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Shall I not teach you a statement which lies beneath the Throne and is from the treasures of Paradise? Say لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِالله upon which Allah says: ‘My slave has submitted and surrendered himself.’” (Hākim)

    He ﷺ also said: “It is a gate from the gates of Paradise.” (Tirmidhī)

    لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِالله is a very concise yet comprehensive statement. With it, one proclaims the oneness of Allah and expresses one’s reverence, awe and need of Him. What does لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِالله mean?

    1. A slave cannot move from one situation to another (hawl), nor does he have the strength (quwwah) to do this except by the will and help of Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā).

    2. There is no power to be obedient except by Allah, nor is there any strength to stop sinning except by Allah.

    3. There is no power in averting evil, or strength in attaining good except through Allah.

    ‘The scholars said that the reason behind this statement being one of the treasures of Paradise is because it embodies complete submission, entrusting one’s affairs and obedience of Allah. One acknowledges that there is no Creator other than Him and none can turn back His Command, and that the slave is powerless in his own affairs.’ (al-Nawawī (raḥimahullāh))

  • Salawat

    اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَّجِيْدٌ ، اَللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيْمَ ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَّجِيْدٌ

    (1x)

    O Allah, honour and have mercy upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have honoured and had mercy upon Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm. Indeed, You are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have blessed Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm. Indeed, You are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious.

    Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammad wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā ṣallayta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdu-m-Majīd, Allāhumma bārik ʿalā Muḥammad, wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā bārakta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdu-m-Majīd.

    ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Abī Laylā (raḥimahullāh) said: “Kaʿb ibn ʿUjrah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) met me and said: ‘Shall I not give you a gift I received from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?’ I replied: ‘Yes of course, gift it to me.’ So he said: ‘We asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, how should we invoke ṣalāh upon you, the members of the family, for Allah has taught us how to send salām upon you?” He ﷺ replied: “Say: [the above].” (Bukhārī 3370)

    Explanation coming soon…

  • The Best Statement Uttered By All the Prophets

    لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ

    (1x)

    There is no god but Allah. He is Alone and He has no partner whatsoever. To Him Alone belong all sovereignty and all praise. He is over all things All-Powerful.

    Lā ilāha illā-Allāh, waḥdahū lā sharīka lah, lahu-l-mulk, wa lahu-l-ḥamd, wa Huwa ʿalā kulli shay’in Qadīr.

    Ibn ‘Amr (radiy Allāhū ‘anhumā) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The best duʿā’ is the duʿā’ of the day of ʿArafah. The best of what I and the Prophets before me have said is [the above].” (Tirmidhī 3585)

    Explanation coming soon…

  • The Best Words After the Qur’an

    سُبْحَانَ اللهِ ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ.

    (1x)

    Allah is free from imperfection. All praise be to Allah. There is no god worthy of worship but Allah. Allah is the Greatest.

    Subḥāna-llāh. wal-lḥamdu li-llāh, wa lā ilāha illa-llāhu wa-llāhu akbar.

    Samura b. Jundub (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The most beloved statements to Allah are four: [the above]. There is no harm for you in which of them begin with (while remembering Allah). And do not give these names to your servants: Yasār and Rabāḥ and Najīḥ and Aflaḥ.” (Muslim 2137)

    He also narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The best words after the Qur’ān and which are from the Qur’an are [the above].” (Aḥmad 20236)

    Explanation coming soon…

  • Heavy On the Scales & Beloved to Allah

    سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ الْعَظِيْم

    (1x)

    Allah is free from imperfection and all praise is due to Him, Allah is free from imperfection, the Greatest.

    Subḥāna-llāhi wa bi-ḥamdihī, subḥāna-llāhi-l-aẓīm.

    Abu Hurayrah (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There are two statements that are light on the tongue, heavy on the Scale and are beloved to the Most Merciful: [the above].” (Bukhārī 6682)

    Explanation coming soon…

  • Supplicate Frequently With…

    يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ.

    (1x)

    O The Lord of Majesty & Honour

    Yā Dha-l-Jalāli wa-l-Ikrām

    Anas b. Mālik (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would say: “Supplicate frequently with [the above].” (Tirmidhī 3525)

    Explanation coming soon…

  • When Distressed, the Prophet ﷺ Would Say…

    يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ ، بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْثُ

    (1x)

    O The Ever Living, The One Who sustains and protects all that exists; I seek assistance through Your Mercy.

    Yā Ḥayyu yā Qayyūm, bi-raḥmatika astaghīth.

    Anas b. Mālik (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) narrates that the when the Prophet ﷺ would be distressed, he would say [the above]. (Tirmidhī 3524)

    Explanation coming soon…

  • For Difficult Times: All Your Prayers Answered

    لَآ إِلٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنْتَ سُبۡحٰنَكَ إِنِّيْ كُنْتُ مِنَ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ

    (1x)

    There is no god worthy of worship except You; You are free from all imperfection. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers. (21:87)

    Lā ilāha illā Anta subḥānaka innī kuntu mina-ẓ-ẓālimīn.

    Ibrahim b. Muhammad b. Sa‘d narrated from his father, from Sa‘d (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The supplication of Dhun-Nūn (Prophet Yūnus) when he supplicated, while in the belly of the whale was: [the above]. ”No Muslim man ever supplicates with [the above] except that Allah answers his supplication.” (Tirmidhī 3505)

    Explanation coming soon…

  • All of Your Sins Forgiven

    أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ الْعَظِيْمَ الَّذِيْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّوْمُ ، وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْهِ

    (1x)

    I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Greatest, whom there is none worthy of worship except Him, The Ever Living, The One Who sustains and protects all that exists, I turn in repentance towards you.

    Astaghfiru-l-llāha-l-aẓīm al-ladhī lā ilāha illā Huwa-l-Ḥayyu-l-Qayyūm, wa atūbu ilayh.

    Bilāl b. Yasār b. Zayd (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) (the freed slave of the Prophet ﷺ narrated: “My father narrated to me, from my grandfather, that he heard the Prophet ﷺ say: ‘Whoever says [the above], then Allah will forgive him, even if he fled from battle.’” (Tirmidhī 3577)

    Explanation coming soon…

Istighfar
Names of Allah