‘ABD ALLAH B. ‘AWN (d.151H), one of Islam’s early pietists, said: « ذِكْرُ النَّاسِ دَاءٌ، وَذِكْرُ اللهِ دَوَاءٌ » - ‘Remembrance of people is a malady, while the remembrance of God is a remedy.’ After citing these words, Imam al-Dhahabi proclaimed with jubilant caution: إِي وَاللهِ، فَالعَجَبَ مِنَّا وَمِنْ جَهْلِنَا كَيْفَ نَدَعُ الدَّوَاءَ وَنَقْتَحِمُ الدَّاءَ؟ قَالَ…
Dhikr: To Be in the Presence of the One
Masters of the inward life say that remembrance of God, or dhikr, is the cornerstone of the spiritual path, the key to sanctification (wilayah) and the weapon of the seeker. In fact, it is the goal behind all acts of worship, as the Qur'an itself teaches: Establish prayer for My remembrance. [20:14] Dhikr is for the heart…