Prayer and its Importance – Divine Remembrance 5 Monday, Feb 23 2009

Part 5

Various Kinds of Zikr
The following is the example of different kinds of Zikr, their meaning and brief explanation.

Zikr-i Musalsal (Constant Remembrance): As the name implies, in this kind of zikr the zakir remembers God at all times and thereby allows an angel to command his heart and protect it from the whispers of the devil.

Zikr-i Tanaffus (Remembrance by Breathing): This sufic zikr is performed by breathing. This zikr has a special benefit both physically and spiritually.

Zikr-i `Ilmi (Remembrance of Knowledge): This is a zikr of a higher degree, which is related to remembering God through reflecting upon the Qur’anic verses and the signs of God in the internal world & the external world.

The main purpose of all these azkar is only one and that is the proximity and closeness of God, so that the mu’min may attain the annihilation, in which there is not only the Supreme Paradise, but also the Supreme Rizwan (Pleasure of God). And in it is the Sound Health and Eternal peace.

The third chapter of the series of articles on “Prayers and its Importance” called Giryah-u zari – A Divine Medicine Part 1 will follow in the next email

Leave a Response »

 

Prayer and its Importance – Divine Remembrance 4 Saturday, Feb 21 2009

Part 4

Various Kinds of Zikr
The following is the example of different kinds of Zikr, their meaning and brief explanation.

Zikr-i Basari (Visual Remembrance): This zikr is the zikr of the eye of a mu’min. This can be done in various ways. For instance, through conceiving the great names of God, or studying the Qur’an and religious books. This zikr also includes to observe and study the Divine sign in the nature, with external eyes and observe the Divine signs in the personal world, with the inner eye of the heart. For both sight and insight, are granted to remember God.

Zikr-i Sam`i (Auditory Remembrance): This blessed zikr relates to the ear. This zikr includes listening with zeal, to the recitation of the Noble Qur’an and the glorification of God.

Zikr-i Badani (Bodily Remembrance): Every kind of hardship that is borne by the body for the sake of zikr-u `ibadat is the part of bodily zikr. Particularly, the service for the nation and community.

Zikr-i Khwab (Remembrance in Dream): The zikr also takes place in the dream. But since it is beyond the control of man, therefore, it is short and brief only as a symbol and sign so that a person knows whether he is punctual or lazy in bandagi.

Zikr-i Munfasal (Remembrance at Intervals): Is the zikr at short intervals. An example of this zikr could be given from a pious shopkeeper, who while working in the shop, even though cannot perform the constant zikr, nonetheless can benefit from the remembrance at intervals. This work is not very difficult for a mu’min with high ambition.

Part 5 “Various Kinds of Zikr” will follow in the next email

Leave a Response »

 

Prayer and its Importance – Divine Remembrance 3 Saturday, Feb 21 2009

Part 3

Various Kinds of Zikr
The following is the example of different kinds of Zikr, their meaning and brief explanation.

Zikr-i Kasir (Abundant Remembrance): By this zikr is meant to remember God abundantly, whether with one kind of zikr or with different azkar (pl. of zikr). The Wise Qur’an has repeatedly drawn attention to the importance of the abundant zikr due to the countless wisdoms hidden therein. If it is desired to remain safe from the roots of all evils of the carnal soul, then the only remedy is zikr-i kasir.

Zikr-i Qalil (Little Remembrance): If little remembrance is merely due to laziness, then it is not a good sign. If there is any other reason and it is definitely intended to add to it, then there is nothing wrong.

Zikr-i Lisani (Remembrance by Tongue): God, the Exalted, has granted man the tongue in order to always keep it busy in reciting His soul-nourishing remembrance. The benefit of this zikr is that not only does the heart of the zakir attend to and wait for the mercy of God, but also awakens the sleeping hearts of others from the sleep of negligence. The special benefit of the remembrance by tongue is attained when it causes the state of melting in the heart.

Zikr-i Qalbi (Remembrance in the Heart): This is the zikr of heart which is most special among all azkar. But as much as it is miraculous, it is also delicate and difficult. This is the reason for which it is aided by all other azkar and good deeds in order that it may progress. It has innumerable benefits, and the basic and most essential benefit is that through its regular and constant practice the door of spiritualism opens.

Part 4 “Various Kinds of Zikr” will follow in the next email

Leave a Response »

 

Prayer and its Importance – Divine Remembrance 2b Wednesday, Feb 18 2009

Part 2b

Various Kinds of Zikr
Following is the example of, different kinds of Zikr, their meaning and brief explanation.
Zikr-i jali (Open remembrance): In this kind of zikr, one or more people remember God with an effective voice. In other words any worship which is performed loudly is called zikr-i jali. The open remembrance is extremely important as it helps hidden remembrance to progress. Unless the disease of the callousness of the heart vanishes by the open remembrance and giryah-u zari, the spiritual miracle of the internal or hidden remembrance is not possible.

Zikr-i khafi (Hidden remembrance): The purpose of zikr-i khafi is to perform zikr hiddenly and secretly. The benefit of this zikr is that there is no show of darwishi therein. Moreover this zikr gradually descends to the heart and takes the form of zikr-i qalbi.

Part 3 “Various Kinds of Zikr” will follow in the next email

Leave a Response »

 

Prayer and its Importance – Divine Remembrance 2 Wednesday, Feb 18 2009

Part 2

Various Kinds of Zikr
Following is the example of, different kinds of Zikr, their meaning and brief explanation.
Zikr-i jama`at (Collective remembrance): In Islam the great importance is attached to collective zikr for there are countless benefits hidden in it. The foremost of which is that in addition to personal reward mu’min also receives special reward which amounts to the reward of the whole jamacat. Thus if all conditions and etiquette of the assembly of remembrance are fulfilled, then compared to other forms of zikr there are greater chances of spiritual progress in this way of Divine remembrance.

Zikr-i fard (Individual remembrance): Although the collective zikr has greater virtue and its reward is very great, however, this opportunity is not available, at all times nor is it possible to have a congregation the whole day. Thus, due to these reasons, the individual zikr becomes necessary so that the mu’min, according to his time and condition, may illumine his intellect and soul with the remembrance of his Lord.

Part 3 “Various Kinds of Zikr” will follow in the next email

Leave a Response »

 

Prayers and its Importance -Divine Remembrance Saturday, Feb 14 2009

Part 1

Various Kinds of Zikr
God, the Exalted, in His infinite mercy, has made His blessed Zikr (remembrance) of many kinds, so that His sincere servants may enrich themselves with the favors and blessings of various kinds of it, at different times and in different states. Thus had Zikr been of only one kind, it would have been very difficult, rather impossible for mu’mins to completely benefit from it.

Among Islamic `ibadat (types of worship), Salat (Du’a/ Namaz) is the first. Then there are other azkar (pI. of zikr) such as zikr-i fard (individual remembrance), zikr-i jamact (collective remembrance), zikr-i khafi (hidden remembrance), zikr-i kathir (abundant remembrance), zikr- i Qalil (little remembrance), zikr-i lisani (remembrance by tongue ), zikr-i basari (visual remembrance ), zikr-i Samci (auditory remembrance), zikr-i badani (bodily remembrance), zikr-i khwab (remembrance in dream), zikr-i munfasal (remembrance at intervals), zikr-i musalsal (constant remembrance), zikr-i tanaffus (remembrance by breathing), and zikr-i cilmi (remembrance of knowledge).
In addition to these, there are other azkar such as hamd (praising God), tasbih (glorifying God), munajaat (supplication), shukrguzari (expression of gratitude), giryah-u zari (weeping and shedding tears), prostration, prayer, recitation of the Qur’an, recitation of salawat etc., so that every mu’min at different times may benefit from different zikr, so that on the whole, he may remain in constant zikr.

Part 2 “Various Kinds of Zikr” will follow in the next email

Leave a Response »