Dhikrullah (Arabic: ذِكْرُ ٱللّٰهِ) is an Arabic phrase meaning “remembrance of Allah” (God). In Islamic theology and devotional practice, the term refers to the act of consciously recalling, mentioning, or invoking the name of God. It is a specific form of dhikr (ذِكْر), a broader term that denotes any remembrance of God, the Prophet Muhammad, or other sacred concepts within Islam.
Conceptual framework
- Theological basis: The Qur’an contains numerous injunctions encouraging believers to remember God, for example: “O you who have believed, remember Allah frequently” (Qur’an 33:41). The practice is also emphasized in hadith literature, where the Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, “Remember Allah, and He will remember you” (Sahih Bukhari, 6410).
- Spiritual significance: Remembrance of Allah is considered a means of strengthening one’s relationship with the Divine, purifying the heart, and attaining spiritual tranquility (sukūn). Sufi orders especially highlight dhikrullah as a central component of their meditative and communal rituals.
- Linguistic composition: The compound consists of dhikr (remembrance, mention) and Allah (the Arabic name for God). It is a nominal phrase rather than a distinct doctrinal term; therefore, it appears across a variety of Islamic texts without a single, systematized definition.
Practices
- Verbal recitation: Muslims may repeat phrases such as “Subhanallah” (Glory be to God), “Alhamdulillah” (All praise is due to God), and “Allāhu akbar” (God is the Greatest). These utterances are forms of dhikrullah.
- Silent contemplation: The remembrance can be internal, involving mindfulness of God’s presence throughout daily activities.
- Collective gatherings: In many Sufi lodges (ṭarīqas), practitioners engage in rhythmic chanting (ḥalqa) of dhikrullah, often accompanied by rhythmic movement or breathing exercises.
- Physical aids: Some adherents use prayer beads (misbaha or tasbīḥ) to count repetitions, typically ranging from 33 to 99 cycles.
Classification within Islamic traditions
- Sunni Islam: Dhikrullah is incorporated into the five daily prayers (ṣalāh) and other recommended supplications (du‘ā).
- Shia Islam: Similar practices exist, with particular emphasis on certain invocations attributed to the Imams.
- Sufism: The practice is formalized into specific liturgies (e.g., the dhikr of the Naqshbandi or Qadiriyya orders), which may involve longer, repetitive phrases and communal chanting.
Scholarly perspectives
Academic studies of Islamic devotional life identify dhikrullah as a pivotal element of personal piety and communal identity. Researchers such as Annemarie Schimmel and Seyyed Hossein Nasr have highlighted its role in cultivating a sense of divine proximity and as a psychological tool for emotional regulation.
Related terms
- Dhikr: General term for remembrance of God or sacred entities.
- Tasbih: The act of glorifying God, often via the phrase “Subhanallah”.
- Du‘ā: Supplication or prayer distinct from the formal ritual prayer.
See also
- Quranic verses on remembrance of Allah
- Hadith collections referencing dhikr
- Sufi practices of dhikr
References
- Qur’an, 33:41; 2:152; 20:14.
- Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6410; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2691.
- Schimmel, Annemarie. Mystical Dimensions of Islam. (1975).
- Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity. (2002).
Note: The information presented reflects established Islamic texts and scholarly literature as of the knowledge cutoff date.