Virtues of Zikr (Remembering Allah)

Give Salam: Assalamu 'Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Sit down and let someone give the Adhan.

Stand up after the adhan and begin Khutbah by making the opening statements:

Transliteration (Click here to listen to the MP3 file):

Innal hamdulillahi nahmaduhu wa nasta 'eenuhu wa nastaghfiruhu wa na 'uuzhu Billaahi min shuruuri anfusinaa wamin sayyi 'aati a'maalina. Mayyah dihillaahu falaa mudilla lahu wa mayyud lilhu falaa haadiya lah. Wa ash hadu al laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shariika lah, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhuu wa Rasuuluh.

Transliteration (Click here to listen to the MP3 file):

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. Ya Ay-yuhal-ladheena 'aamanut taqul-laaha, haqqa tuqaatihee wala tamu tun-na, il-la wa antum Muslimoon. Surah Al-Imran, Verse 102.

Transliteration (Click here to listen to the MP3 file):

Ya Ay-yuhal-ladheena 'aamanut taqul-laaha, wa qooloo qawlan sadeedaa. Yuslih-lakum a'maalakum wa yaghfir lakum dhunoobakum, wamayyu-til-laaha wa rasoolahu, faqad faaza fawzan 'adheemaa. Surah Al-Ahzab, verses 70-71.

Transliteration: Amma Ba'ad

The word zikr has many meanings. It means: Allah's Book and its recitation, Prayer, Learning and teaching, Du'aa, Remembrance of Allah in the heart, or in both the heart and the tongue, and even pondering over Allah's creation.

"... And the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues. Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e., Jannah).'' (33:35)

"O you who believe! Remember Allāh with much remembrance."
(Al-Ahzab 33:41)

"Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.

Those who remember Allāh (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire." (Al Imran 3:191)

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "When any group of men remember Allah, angels surround them and mercy covers them, tranquillity descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him." (Sahih Aljami',#5608)

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The similitude of one who remembers his Rubb and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the dead.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"A calamity that makes you turn to Allah is better for you than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah." - Ibn Taymiyah

"If the heart becomes hardened, the eye becomes dry." - Ibn Qayyim

This story about "Istighfar" is from the life of Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal, who is considered as a renowned scholar of Islam and a famous theologian. Imam Ahmed is also considered to be the founder of the Hanbali school of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and is one of the most celebrated Sunni theologians, often referred to as the "Sheikh ul-Islam" or the "Imam of Ahl al-Sunnah."

During his old age, while Imam Ahmed was traveling he stopped by a town. After the prayers, he wanted to stay for the night in the masjid yard because he didn't know anyone in the town. Owing to his humility, he hadn't introduced himself to anyone thinking that if he did, he would be welcomed by many people.

Failing to recognize Ahmed bin Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque. As Imam Ahmed was quite old, the caretaker had to drag him out of the mosque. On seeing this, a baker from a nearby place felt pity for this man (Imam Ahmed) and offered to be the host to him for the night. During his stay with the baker, Imam Ahmed observed that the baker would constantly recite Istighfar (seek forgiveness from Allah). Imam Ahmed asked the baker if the constant practice of saying Istighfar had any effect on him. The baker responded by telling Imam Ahmed that Allah had accepted all of his duas (supplications), except one. When he asked him what dua was it that hadn't been accepted, the baker replied that he had been asking Allah to provide him the privilege to meet the famous scholar Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal.

On this, Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal said that Allah had not only listened to his dua but had dragged him onto his (the baker's) doorsteps. [Summarized from Al Jumuah magazine, vol 19, issue 7]

Recite the following and prepare to end the first part of the Khutbah.

Transliteration (Click here to listen to the MP3 file):

Aqulu qauli hada, wa astaghfirullaha li wa lakum walisairil muslimin, Fas taghfiruh, innahu huwal Ghafurur Rahim.

Sit down and pause for a moment, about 10 to 15 seconds.

Stand up and begin the second Khutbah.

Transliteration (Click here to listen to the MP3 file):

Bismillahi, Wal Ahamdulillahi, Was-salatu was-salamu 'ala Rasulillah, sal-lal-lahu 'alyhi wa sallam

Recite the following and prepare to end the Khutbah and prepare for salah.

Transliteration (Click here to listen to the MP3 file):

'Ibadallah. Innal-laha yamuru bil 'adli wal ihsani wa itae dhil qurba wa yanha 'anil fahshaa-e wal munkari wal baghi, ya 'ezukum la 'allakum tadakkarun. Udkurullahal 'azema yadh kurkum, wash kuruuhu yazid kum, was taghfiruhu yaghfir lakum, wattaquhu yaj'allakum min amri kum makhraja. Wa aqimis-salah.

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