Chapter 3: ILM (KNOWLEDGE) AND ZIKR

There are two important subjects in this lesson; firstly knowledge and secondly zikr (i.e. remembrance of Allah Ta’ala). There are so many sayings of Rasulullah ﷺ which stress on the value and distinction of these two things. For instance, a Hadith says, “Beware! This world and whatever is in it, is cursed by Allah Ta’ala, with the exception of Salaah and Zikr, the Aalim, and the student of Deen.” Therefore, every Muslim should try his best to achieve the high standard of Deeni knowledge and zikr.

Only that knowledge, which takes a man nearer to Allah Ta’ala, is appreciated by Him and enables him to follow His commandments. That amount of knowledge of the Deen of Islam that would purify and strengthen one’s Imaan, is Fardh (obligatory) on every Muslim man and woman. When a servant of Allah Ta’ala has entirely submitted himself to Allah Ta’ala and has promised to follow His commandments, then it is necessary for him to know all His commandments, and the method of Ibaadah. Yes, he should have perfect knowledge of Salaah, fasting, Zakaat, Hajj, mutual dealings in everyday life, true Islamic Aadaab and other important aspects of an Islamic way of life. Every Muslim should particularly know these basic aspects about Islam and if he is ignorant of these, then he is likely to commit sins. When a person has the knowledge of these things, he must then observe them in a practical way, for it has been mentioned in a Hadith, “Verily, the worst punishment of Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Qiyaamah will be meted out to those who have been scholars of Deen, but did not practice it themselves.”

Rasulullah ﷺ has said in a Hadith, “Anyone who shows the Right Path to a Muslim is like one who has already followed the commandments of Allah Ta’ala.” Another Hadith says, “A thousand worshippers are not so annoying and deadly to Shaytaan compared to one person who has achieved perfect knowledge about Islam.” Another Hadith says, “Anyone who died whilst attaining the knowledge of Islam, his position in Jannah will be only one stage below the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ .” Another Hadith says, “The best person amongst you is he who has learned the Qur-aan Shareef and then teaches it to other Muslims.” Rasulullah ﷺ says in another Hadith, “May Allah Ta’ala keep that person fresh and healthy who listens to my instructions, and then delivers them to others, exactly as I have spoken.”

Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “Whoever left his home for the sake of acquiring knowledge (about the Qur-aan-e-Kareem and Islam), will be honoured as one who has entirely devoted himself to Allah Ta’ala.”

It has been mentioned in a Hadith, that Rasulullah ﷺ , whilst addressing his followers, said, “Indeed, the coming generation will follow you, for you have followed me. After me people will come to you from remote places to learn the knowledge of Islam. So when they come to you, it is my request that you should entertain them well.” That is, when the students of Deen visit you, serve them properly, sit in their company and be polite to them.

Rasulullah ﷺ says in a Hadith, “When certain people gather in the House of Allah Ta’ala (that is a Masjid) and they recite the Book of Allah Ta’ala (i.e. the Qur-aan-e-Kareem) to one another, they are blessed with sakinah (spiritual comfort) and the mercy of Allah Ta’ala, the Malaaikah assemble around them, and Allah Ta’ala remembers them among His Malaaikah.”

The second part of the third lesson is zikr. The highest degree of zikr is that a believer should be entirely devoted to Allah Ta’ala and should never forget Him. This standard of zikr is achieved by constant spiritual exercise and by continuous remembrance of Allah Ta’ala. Those who have realized the spiritual benefits of Zikr, do not neglect it for a single moment of their life. Rasulullah ﷺ instructed a Sahaabi of his with the following words, “Keep your tongue always busy with the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala.” In another Hadith he says, “When some people gather in an assembly and then get up without remembering Allah Ta’ala, be sure that they sat around the dead body of an ass and thereafter left. Therefore, such an assembly will be a source of sorrow to them on the Day of Qiyaamah.” The true believers should remember Allah Ta’ala most often and by pondering about the wonders of His creation, they should glorify Him, and thereby strengthen their love for Him. The more they remember Allah Ta’ala, the better will be their good deeds, the stronger their Imaan and knowledge. Then they will have more and more love for Allah Ta’ala and their service to Him will be more sincere and realistic. Particularly, during the Tabligh journey they should not forget Allah Ta’ala for a single moment. If all the daily Sunnah Duas, which are mentioned in the Hadith, viz, Dua for going to sleep and waking up, Dua at the end of a gathering, Dua for the beginning and the end of the meals, Dua for entering and leaving home, Dua at the beginning of a journey and returning from it, Dua for riding an animal (or any other mode of transport), Dua for entering a new town or a city etc., are remembered well, and are read on the relevant occasions, naturally the exercise of the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala can be improved to a great extent. No amount of time is sufficient for a sacred thing like zikr. Therefore, most of the spare time should be devoted to zikr. The least that every Muslim can do is to read the Kalimah Tayyibah, Durood Shareef and Istighfaar (100 times each) every morning and evening and a time should be fixed for the recitation of the Qur-aan-e-Kareem. Even some worldly loss can easily be tolerated for the countless favours of Allah Ta’ala that are going to be granted to a believer in the next life.

It has been mentioned in the Hadith that zikr purifies and enlightens the heart. Another Hadith says that nothing saves a Muslim from the punishment of Allah Ta’ala more than zikr. Another Hadith says that amongst a group of negligent people, the one who remembers Allah Ta’ala most often is like a glowing lamp in a dark house. A Hadith of Bukhaari says, “One who remembers Allah Ta’ala, is remembered by Him amongst His Malaaikah (Angels).” In another Hadith Rasulullah ﷺ says, “Anyone who remembers Allah Ta’ala most often, is more preferable to a person who distributes a huge amount of money in the path of Allah Ta’ala.” (Targheeb)