What Forms of Remembrance Are Mentioned in the Quran?
ما هي أنواع الذكر التي وردت في القرآن؟
What forms of Remembrance are mentioned in the Quran?
The Quran outlines various profound forms of remembrance. These include praising Allah by His magnificent names, reflecting on His divine laws, acknowledging His endless benevolence, seeking His forgiveness, and above all, reciting the Holy Quran itself.
Remembrance in Islam extends far beyond the mere repetition of words; it encompasses a wide range of spiritual and intellectual actions.
Is studying Islamic law considered a form of Dhikr?
Yes, studying Allah's orders, prohibitions, and laws is considered a highly virtuous form of remembrance because it aligns the believer's mind and actions with divine guidance.
What are the "everlasting good deeds" mentioned in Surah Al Kahf?
The everlasting good deeds refer to acts of worship that remain for the Hereafter, primarily understood by scholars as praising Allah using phrases like Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar.
Why is reciting the Quran considered the greatest form of remembrance?
The Quran is the direct literal word of Allah. Reciting it is among the greatest forms of Dhikr because it includes praise, guidance, and the call to seek forgiveness.
The Diverse Forms of Dhikr
1. Praising His Names and Attributes
Mentioning the Almighty Allah by His names and qualities, as in His saying, "And mention the name of your Lord" [Surah Al-Insan 76:25]. Examples include "Allah hears His worshippers" and (Allah certainly encompasses all things in His knowledge) [Surah At-Talaq 65:12]. It also includes praising Him with phrases like Subhanallah and Alhamdulillah, which are the everlasting good deeds mentioned in the verse: (Wealth and children are the adornment of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are far better with your Lord in reward and in hope) Al Kahf 18: 46.
2. Acknowledging His Laws and Benevolence
To mention His orders, His prohibitions, and His laws and interpret His Words. Mention His benevolence to His creation. (Understanding and teaching Islamic jurisprudence is itself a high form of remembrance, as it connects everyday actions to the Creator's will).
3. Reciting the Quran
Reading the Quran is among the greatest kinds of remembrance because it includes praise for Allah, while the prescribed formulas of Dhikr are observed on their specific occasions. (Observe the prayer from the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night and the dawn prayer, for certainly the dawn prayer is witnessed by angels) Al Isra'a 17: 78.
4. Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfar)
(Saying, "Seek your Lord's forgiveness, for He is truly Most Forgiving. He will shower you with abundant rain, supply you with wealth and children, and give you gardens as well as rivers.") Nuh 71: 10 to 12.
Scholarly Insight: In Islamic theology, Dhikr encompasses much more than verbal repetition. Remembrance includes praising Allah, recalling His commands and blessings, reciting the Quran, and seeking forgiveness. Therefore, a student studying the laws of inheritance, a person reflecting on the intricate design of the human body, or a believer asking for forgiveness are all actively engaging in the remembrance of Allah. The Quran encapsulates all these forms within its verses, making recitation a great form of remembrance.
ما هي أنواع الذكر التي وردت في القرآن؟
يحدد القرآن الكريم أشكالاً عميقة ومتنوعة للذكر. وتشمل هذه الأشكال تسبيح الله بأسمائه الحسنى، والتفكر في أحكامه الشرعية، والاعتراف بإحسانه الذي لا ينضب، والاستغفار، وفوق ذلك كله تلاوة القرآن الكريم ذاته.
يمتد الذكر في الإسلام إلى ما هو أبعد من مجرد ترديد الكلمات؛ فهو يشمل مجموعة واسعة من الأفعال الروحية والفكرية.
الأشكال المتنوعة للذكر
1. ذكر الله بأسمائه وصفاته
ذكر الله عز وجل بأسمائه وصفاته ومدحه بها والثناء عليه بها تعالى الله وتقدس، لقوله تعالى (وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ) الإنسان 76:25. كقول سبحان الله، والحمد لله، ولا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر، تلك هي الباقيات الصالحات التي قال الله تعالى عنها: (الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا) الكهف 18: 46. والإخبار عن الله عز وجل بأسمائه وصفاته كقولنا "الله يسمع عباده" و "العليم" (قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا) [سورة الطلاق 65:12].
2. ذكر أحكامه وإحسانه
ذكر أمره ونهيه وأحكام شرائعه وتفسير كلامه. وذكر آلائه وإحسانه لخلقه. (إن فهم وتعليم الفقه الإسلامي هو في حد ذاته شكل راق من أشكال الذكر، حيث يربط الأفعال اليومية بمشيئة الخالق).
3. قراءة القرآن
قراءة القرآن من أعظم أنواع الذكر لأنها تتضمن الثناء على الله بما أثنى به على ذاته، مع مراعاة الأذكار المأثورة في مواضعها. (أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا) الإسراء 17: 78.
4. الاستغفار
أن تستغفره، قال تعالى: (فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا * يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِدْرَارًا * وَيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ أَنْهَارًا) نوح 71: 10 إلى 12.
1. The Supreme Dhikr: Recitation of the Noble Quran | تلاوة القرآن الكريم: الذكر الحكيم الأعظم
Reciting the Quran is a central form of remembrance because it is Allah's revealed word, containing praise, guidance, commands, and reminders. Allah calls the revelation "the Reminder" in Surah Al-Hijr 15:9 and promises to preserve it. Abdullah ibn Masud reported that reciting a letter of Allah's Book earns a good deed multiplied tenfold (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2910, graded hasan sahih by al-Tirmidhi).
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ (سورة الحجر 15:9)
تلاوة القرآن من أعظم أنواع الذكر؛ فهو كلام الله المنزل، وفيه الثناء عليه والتذكير بنعمه وأمره ونهيه وهدايته. وسماه الله الذكر في سورة الحجر 15:9 ووعد بحفظه. وروى عبد الله بن مسعود أن من قرأ حرفاً من كتاب الله فله به حسنة والحسنة بعشر أمثالها (جامع الترمذي 2910، قال الترمذي: حسن صحيح غريب). ففضل الحروف ثابت بهذا الحديث، وينبغي أن تقترن التلاوة بتدبر المعاني والعمل بالأوامر.
2. Glorification of Divine Names and Attributes | تسبيح الله بأسمائه الحسنى وصفاته العلية
A second prominent Quranic form is magnifying Allah through His Beautiful Names: reciting Tasbeeh (declaring His transcendence above flaws), Tahmeed (affirming absolute perfection and praise), Takbeer (declaring His supreme majesty), and Tahleel (affirming exclusive divinity).
وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا (سورة الإنسان 76:25)
كثر في القرآن الأمر بتسبيح الله وتمجيده بأسمائه وصفاته: كقوله {وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا} [سورة المزمل 73:8]؛ وتنزيهه سبحانه عن كل عيب ونقص بالتقديس، وإثبات صفات الكمال والجلال له وحده.
3. Ritual Prayer as the Living Epitome of Dhikr | الصلاة المفروضة: مجمع ألوان الذكر
Allah explicitly declared the primary purpose of ritual prayer in Surah Ta-Ha: "And establish prayer for My remembrance" (20:14). Prayer unites Quran recitation, physical bowing, prostration, Takbeer, and supplication into a comprehensive tapestry of remembrance.
وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي (سورة طه 20:14)
الصلاة هي الوعاء الأكبر الذي يجمع كل أنواع الذكر؛ ولذا علل الله تشريعها بقوله لموسى عليه السلام: {وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي} [سورة طه 20:14]؛ فالصلاة من أول تكبيرة فيها إلى التسليم حركة دائمة بالذكر قولا وعملا واستحضارا لعظمة المعبود.
4. Acknowledging Favors and Seeking Forgiveness | ذكر النعم بالشكر، وذكر التفريط بالاستغفار
The Quran commands remembering divine favors through gratitude: "Remember the favor of Allah upon you" (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:7). This pairs with remembering one's human shortcomings through Istighfar, beseeching forgiveness and pardon from the All-Forgiving Lord.
وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ (سورة المائدة 5:7)
من أشكال الذكر في القرآن: ذكر آلائه وإنعامه بالاعتراف والشكر {وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ} [سورة المائدة 5:7]؛ ويقابله عند الزلل ذكر الله بالتوبة والاستغفار {وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ} [سورة آل عمران 3:135].
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Why is the Quran referred to as "Adh-Dhikr"?
Because it is the ultimate divine reminder and the supreme word of remembrance from Allah (Surah Al-Hijr 15:9).
What did Allah tell Prophet Moses regarding the purpose of prayer in Surah Ta-Ha (20:14)?
"And establish prayer for My remembrance."
How is acknowledging Allah's blessings considered a form of Dhikr in the Quran?
Recalling His favors with a grateful heart and verbal thanks fulfills the command: "Remember the favor of Allah upon you."
How does repentance (Istighfar) relate to Dhikr in the Quran?
When believers commit an error, their immediate remembrance of Allah impels them to seek His forgiveness.