Central Khutbah: “Dhikr: A Relief in Daily Life”

Throughout the day, a person goes through numerous obligations, worries, and encounters. In such a rhythm, it is easy for the heart to become burdened and distracted. Islamic tradition does not offer an escape from daily life but rather simple means to organize and lighten it. One of these means is constant and mindful dhikr (remembrance of Allah).

Abu Darda, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “For everything, there is a form of purification, and the purification of the heart is the remembrance of Allah, the Most High.” (Shuʿabul-iman, Al-Bayhaqi, 520)
In practice, this means that the heart is purified through short, regular moments of remembering Allah: after prayer, while walking, working, or driving. Dhikr brings a person back to themselves and prevents the pressures of daily life from fully taking over.

Malik ibn Dinar, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Those who enjoy blessings have found no pleasure comparable to the remembrance of Allah, the Most High.” (Sifatu-s-safwa, 2/162)
This pleasure does not appear suddenly but develops through habit. When a person persists in dhikr, they notice that they become calmer in stressful situations and more grateful in moments of success. Dhikr then becomes a support that accompanies a person through various states.

Yahya ibn Muaz, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The food of the heart is dhikr, and the food of the intellect is reflection.”
This saying is recorded in works on asceticism (zuhd) and the wise sayings of the early pious. That is why dhikr is accompanied by brief reflection: on one’s actions, the fleeting nature of time, and the blessings one enjoys. This combination allows faith to go beyond words and influence decisions and behavior.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Mu’adh ibn Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him: “O Mu’adh, by Allah, I love you; do not neglect, after each prayer, to say: ‘Allahumma eʿinni ʿala zikrike wa shukrike wa husni ʿibadetik’ – O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner.” (Abu Dawud, 1522; An-Nasa’i, 1303)

Thus, dhikr becomes part of the daily routine, not a separate activity. Short supplications, conscious remembrance of Allah, and occasional reflection shape a more stable relationship with life. A person continues to have obligations and challenges, but they face them with a calmer heart and a clearer awareness of the meaning behind their actions.

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on January 30, 2026, at the “Centre Islamique et Culturel Berat” in Esch-sur-Alzette)