Day 1

Sahih International

Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah . Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured."

Ahmad Zaki Hammad translation

These are the ones who (truly) believe and whose hearts grow calm (with assurance) at the remembrance of God. Most assuredly, it is by the remembrance of God that hearts grow calm.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem translation

Those who have faith and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of God -- truly it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace.

In this ayah (verse) of the Qur'an, God tells us that it is in the remembrance of Him that the hearts find rest. Indeed part of the nature of the heart is to be restless, to be turning and changing. The heart spoken of here is the emotional center of the human being. This is why in the Arabic language of the Qur'an the heart is referred to as the "qalb," which is related to the root to turn. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to supplicate frequently "Ya Muqallab al-quloob, thabit qalbi ala deenik" O Changer of the Hearts, Keep my heart firm upon your deen (the way of life loved by God.)

Many people may find that with all of the technology available to us today, it may be more difficult than ever to truly have hearts which are calm and at peace. For many of us, there are probably very few moments of the day where we are not either talking directly to a person or engaged with some sort of media -- often we may be involved in both at the same time. There are many benefits to these technologies, but there may be other consequences of which we should be aware. Do we take time to reflect deeply, to be grateful for the blessings we enjoy, to think about the big picture?

Even when we are busy with the concerns of this life, or perhaps especially when we are busy with the concerns of this life, it is important to take time to remember God. Often Muslims equate the word "dhikr" or the remembrance of God, with types of reflection where one repeats one of the names of God over and over. This is indeed an important means of rest and reflection, but the word "dhikr" as used by the Qur'an contains a much wider range of meanings. Prayer is a form of dhikr, as is reciting the Qur'an, or trying to learn something new about God or the Prophet Muhammad, or pondering the creation of God, or saying a kind word or doing an act of charity toward another can all be ways to remember God. Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (the famous Muslim scholar who lived in the 14th century of the Common Era in Damascus) said that the term dhikr includes "any and every particular moment when you are thinking, saying or doing things which Allah likes".

Questions for Personal Reflection:

What are some of ways I can fit time for dhikr in my daily schedule?

What types of dhikr do I find most meaningful (in what state does my heart truly find rest)?

What are some activities I engage in currently that can become more beneficial as dhikr if I am simply mindful of the presence in and pleasure of God with such activities?