Central Khutbah: “There is no greater pleasure than the remembrance (zikr) and glorification of Allah”
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, the One, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, his noble family, and his companions.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today’s sermon is dedicated to the greatness of zikr (the remembrance of Allah) and its importance in the life of every believer. Zikr, which consists of remembering and glorifying Allah, is not only an act of worship but also a spiritual necessity that connects us to our Creator, purifies our hearts, and prepares us for eternal life.
The value of zikr in the Qur’an and Sunnah
Allah, the Exalted, constantly calls us in the Qur’an to remember Him:
“O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance and exalt Him morning and afternoon.”
(Surah Al-Ahzab, 41-42)
This verse reminds us of the importance of constant zikr, regardless of the circumstances. Zikr is not limited to prayer or specific moments; rather, it is a continuous connection between the heart and the Lord.
Mu`adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
“The inhabitants of Paradise will regret nothing except the moments they spent in this world without remembering and glorifying Allah.”
(Reported by Tabarani)
These words remind us of how, on the Day of Judgment, we will regret the moments we did not glorify Allah. Time is the greatest gift we have in this world, and zikr is the best way to utilize it.
The spiritual power of zikr
Malik ibn Dinar said:
“There is no greater pleasure for those who seek true happiness than the remembrance and glorification of Allah.”
(Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyya, Al-Wabil As-Sayyib, p. 125)
True pleasure lies in nearness to Allah, in the feeling of peace and satisfaction that accompanies zikr. There is no worldly wealth or joy that can equal the serenity of a heart that relies on Allah.
Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyya (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:
“On the Day of Resurrection, a man will come with sins as numerous as mountains, but his tongue will have erased his bad deeds through the abundance of zikr he practiced in this world.”
(Al-Wabil As-Sayyib, p. 125)
These words remind us that zikr is a powerful means to erase sins and rectify our deeds. It is not only a spiritual benefit but also a great protection on the Day of Judgment.
Mujahid said:
“Whoever can go to bed purified (in a state of ablution), remembering Allah and seeking His forgiveness (istighfar), let him do so, for people will be resurrected in the state in which they died.”
(Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyya, Al-Wabil As-Sayyib, p. 125)
This advice teaches us that our last moments on this earth should be filled with remembrance of Allah. Thus, by Allah’s will, we will be resurrected in that state.
The consequences of neglecting zikr
A pious predecessor said:
“I know of no sin worse than neglecting the remembrance and glorification of Allah.”
(Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyya, Al-Wabil As-Sayyib, p. 125)
Neglecting zikr leads to spiritual abandonment of the heart. A heart that does not remember Allah becomes hard and prone to sin. Islamic scholars have also warned:
“One of the signs of hypocrisy is the difficulty in moving the tongue for zikr and glorification of Allah.”
The wise Luqman advised:
“The difference between those who remember and glorify Allah and those who do not is like the difference between light and darkness.”
Dear brothers and sisters, a heart that is constantly engaged in zikr is like a lamp that shines and guides through the darkness of trials and sins.
How to increase zikr in daily life
Ibn Taymiyyah said:
“Indeed, there is a Paradise in this world, and whoever does not enter it will not enter the Paradise of the Hereafter.”
When asked what he meant, he replied:
“The love for Allah and zikr.”
To experience this worldly Paradise, we must work every day so that our tongues and hearts are occupied with the remembrance of Allah. Rabi`a ibn Husayn said:
“O man, reduce your words except for takbir (saying Allahu Akbar), tahlil (saying La ilaha illa Allah), tasbih (saying Subhan Allah), supplications for good from Allah, seeking refuge in Allah from evil, enjoining good, forbidding evil, and reciting the Qur’an.”
Practical advice
- Dedicate time to morning and evening zikr. These supplications protect us and bring peace to the heart.
- Practice zikr while walking, driving, or doing household chores. Even in the simplest moments, remembering Allah brings blessings.
- Recite the Qur’an and reflect on its meanings. The Qur’an is the best zikr and the highest form of remembering Allah.
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, zikr is the best act of worship with which we can fill our time. Let us ask Allah to make us among those whose hearts are filled with love for Him and whose tongues are constantly engaged in His remembrance. Let us not neglect this great act of worship and the blessings it brings, for on the Day of Judgment, only our good words and deeds will protect us from punishment.
O Allah, forgive us our sins, strengthen us on Your path, and make us among those who constantly remember and glorify You. Ameen.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the salutations and blessings be upon the last messenger, Muhammad, his family, and all his companions. Ameen.
(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on November 29, 2024, at the “Centre Islamique Medina” in Wiltz)
