The Difference between the Living and the Dead

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The Degree of Remembrance

Allah says in the Qur'an:

“And perform the Dhikr of your Lord in your very soul with humility and without loudness in words in the mornings and evenings and do not be of those who are unheedful.” (7: 205)

“And remember your Lord when you forget.” (18: 24)

“(Speaking of the wise men these are) such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, and say (after deliberation) ‘Our Lord! Thou has not created this in vain. Glory be to Thee! Preserve us from the doom of Fire.” (3:191)

Abu Hurayrah (Radiyallahu An Hum) narrates that the Prophet (Sallahu Alyhee Wa Salaam) said, “No people gather together in one of the Houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that Sakeenah (Tranquility) descends upon them, and Mercy envelops them, and the Angels surround them, and Allah mentions them amongst those are with Him.” (Bukhari)

There is no better Dhikr than reciting the Qur’an! The example of those who remember Allah and those who don’t is the example of the living and the dead. Everything in CREATION makes Dhikr to Allah.

Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet said, "The example of the one who celebrates the Praises of his Lord (Allah) in comparison to the one who does not celebrate the Praises of his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one." (Bukhari)

Types of Dhikr

1. Adhkar which have fixed timings.
   E.g. Du'a after prayer, morning and evening Du'as, etc.
2. Adhkar which are specified for certain action.
   E.g. While eating, sleeping, intimacy, etc.
3. Adhkar which are unrestricted.
   E.g. While walking, working, cooking, etc.

Narrated by Abu Darda: The Prophet SAW said, “Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions, the most pure in the sight of your Master, the one which raises your ranks highest, that which is better for you than giving gold and silver (in charity), better for you than meeting your enemies, so that you strike their necks and they strike yours?” The companions replied “Of course, O Messenger of Allah (Inform us!)” He replied, “It is the Remembrance of Allah.” (Abu Dawood)

`Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Whoever of you performs Wudu' carefully and then affirms: `Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa Rasuluhu [I testify that there so no true god except Allah Alone, Who has no partners and that Muhammad ((PBUH) is His slave and Messenger],' the eight gates of Jannah are opened for him. He may enter through whichever of these gates he desires (to enter).'' (Muslim).

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