ZHIKR DURING RAMADHAN

Ramadhan is a very special time for worship, both collectively as well as individually. While study circles, congregational prayers and other activities are carried out collectively there are also many opportunities for individual worship.
Dhikr (or Zhikr) is the remembrance and glorification of Allah in order to become closer to Him. Dhikr is practiced around the globe by Muslims who glorify and praise Allah. Dhikr can be done either silently in your heart, or audibly with a group of people, asking for forgiveness or praising the greatness of Allah.
If we look at our everyday lives we all, in some way or another, participate in Dhikr. Whether it is through a conscious effort after salah, or just at times of distress or happiness – we all feel the need to remember Allah. Dhikr is a form of worship that carries much reward.
Abu Hurairah reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said:
“Allah, the Exalted and Glorious stated: I am near to the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers Me. And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My Heart, and if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his (remembrance), and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by a cubit, and if he draws near Me by a cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two arms. And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him.” (Hadith from Sahih Muslim & Bukhari)
Supplication (dua) is not only the continuous outpouring of a person’s heart before their Lord, but it is also an expression of their sense of nearness to Allah. We acknowledge the might and power of Allah as well as the grace and blessings we are given. If we could conceive how much a person supplicates, what he supplicates for, and the way that he supplicates, then we could start to understand how much love they have for Allah in their soul.
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who uttered these words:
" There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Sovereignty belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him, and He is Potent over everything" one hundred times every day there is a reward of emancipating ten slaves for him, and there are recorded one hundred virtues to his credit, and one hundred vices are blotted out from his scroll, and that is a safeguard for him against the Satan on that day till evening. And no-one brings anything more excellent than this, except one who has done more than this (i.e who utters these words more than one hundred times and does more good acts) and he who utters:" Hallowed be Allah, and all praise is due to Him," one hundred times a day, his sins are obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the ocean”. (Hadith Sahih Bukhari)
This hadith shows us how by increasing our remembrance of Allah, we can increase the amount of reward we obtain. Dhikr does not have to be organised, or complicated. It is something which can be done quickly, and if done with sincerity of the heart it can have a huge positive effect. Dhikr can be done at any time, almost anywhere. Here are some verses from the Qur’an encouraging remembrance:
"Truly Allah leaves to stray whom He wills; but He guides to Himself those who turn to Him in penitence. Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” 13: 27-28 The Holy Qur’an
“Bring your Rabb to remembrance deep in your soul with humility and in reverence without raising your voice, both in the mornings and in the evenings; and be not of those who are heedless.” 7:205 The Holy Qur’an
“Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and meditate on the creation of the heavens and the earth. Then cry out:" Our Rabb! You have not created this in vain. Glory to You! Save us from the punishment of Fire.” 3:191 The Holy Qur’an
Whatever we are doing, we can always remember and praise Allah. If we remember Allah in all our actions then we will be rewarded not only for the intention, but also for the act that is carried out.
This short poem sums up how our actions can be part of Dhikr and how every part of the body praises Allah:
Dhikr of the eyes, which consists in weeping Dhikr of the ears, which consists in listening Dhikr of the tongue, which consists in praise Dhikr of the hands, which consists in giving Dhikr of the body, which consists in loyalty Dhikr of the heart, which consists in fear and hope Dhikr of the spirit, which consists of utter submission and acceptance.