THE IMPORTANCE AND POWER OF DHIKR
Sometimes life can feel like a never-ending merry-go-round, from going to work, coming home dealing with hard jobs and taking care of the family, to spending weekends running errands and visiting relatives. Don’t get me wrong. All of these are valuable activities; however, sometimes we can end up neglecting our side in the daily pursuit of the material world.
This can be especially true to women who are often left with the majority of house’s hard jobs and family responsibilities, (even though there is the existence of) holding down careers of their own. It can sometimes be hard to (accomplish or gain with effort) the right balance of deen, and it can be hard to find the time to reflect on ourselves.
We may intend and want to read more Quran every day, or gain more knowledge about our deen but due to our very busy lives we are unable to do so. This is where Quran, the Memory of Allah (God), can become a very important part of your day. Quran is a very powerful and simple way to know how to serve Allah when we have a lack of time, which carries many benefits and good, kind behaviors.
Allah has made Islam so easy for the believers, as Quran is so easy and carries great reward here and hereafter, this is a form of salat that we should try to increase quality in our daily lives.
“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much memory”
(Quran 33:41).
EFFECTS OF QURAN/DHIKR:
Many of us often read Quran and phrases in Arabic without understanding their meaning. By understanding what you are saying you will receive the full benefit of the speech. Although life can be fast it is good to spend some time reflecting on the words in the Quran and way of life that is described in the Quran.
By reading, praising, and honoring Allah (It is a method of remembering Him, which is a great
achievement.) we are showing our thankfulness to Him and admitting/recognizing/responding to His majesty. We are admitting/recognizing/responding to that we have no power without Him, as He has power over all things. We can understand that, once we will truly understand this we are not actually in control of our lives, and it is only with the help and will of Allah that we can (accomplish or gain with effort) things in our lives.
Quran/Dhikr is a very direct and powerful way of strengthening your relationship with God, as you begin to depend on Allah for all things and not depend on other people. Allah loves the one who praises and honors and serve him, and His love for you will increases. It is through Allah’s love and mercy towards you that your duas are answered. This is a very special relationship that is especially experienced through this easy, total/totally/with nothing else mixed in and excellent form of worship.
You can increase the amount of Quran/dhikr you do by simply doing it at different times in your day. For example, on your daily commutes, travelling, when you are waiting for something such as a doctor’s appointment, when you are carrying out your hard jobs, when you have a spare ten minutes to yourself, when you are nervous about the future about something (to calm your nerves) and so on.
When you have made it a habit to ponder Quran regularly in your day you will find that you feel more connected to Allah (God), which is a great feeling. This is because the act of dhikr focuses your mind continuously on Allah, much like how deep thinking works to block out (objects or actions that interfere with mental focus) from your mind. Also it has an instant calming feeling over you, and will remove negative thinking from your mind. The more you practice Quran the more you will want to do it.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verses 41-42:
O ye who believe! Celebrate the Dhikr (Remembrance) of Allah and do this (as) much (as possible);
And glorify Him morning and evening.
Chapter 29 Surah Ankabut verse 45:
Recite what is sent of the Book (Al-Quran) by inspiration to thee and establish regular prayer, for prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and the Dhikr (Remembrance) of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah Knows all that ye do.
Quran Chapter 13 Surah Raad verse 28:
Those who believe, their hearts find satisfaction in the Dhikr of Allah: for without doubt, (only) in the Dhikr of Allah do hearts find satisfaction!
the Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 152:
Then do ye remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and reject not faith.
43:36
If anyone withdraws himself from Dhikr of (Allah) Most Gracious, We appoint for him a Shaytaan to be an intimate companion to him!
Chapter 63 Surah Munafiqoon verse 9:
O ye who believe! Let not your wealth or your children divert you from the Dhikr of Allah. If any act thus, the (severe) loss is their own!