(Who doesn’t want strength? All of us look for way to add to our strength whether it is about our bodies, finances, or psychological strength.  No one likes to be weak. Therefore, whenever people hear of anything that can give them strength, they rush to attain it. Even after earning a huge amount of money, and working in gyms we still often feel weak, why? This article ponders the reason that we as Muslims are getting weaker, though we are guaranteed strength, which is that we have abandoned the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. The salaf attained physical strength through prophetic ways, i.e., through the remembrance of Allah (dhikrullahi)) Many of us do not realize how powerful the remembrance of Allah can be; we take it lightly or casually, whether it is done through a supplication or by offering a prayer in the mosque. The majority of us merely engage in adhkar (remembrance of Allah) as a ritual and not by focusing or realizing what wonders that adhkar can accomplish. Ibn al-Qayyim stated that the remembrance of Allah has more than one hundred benefits. (al-Waabil as-Sayyib min al-Kalim at-Tayyib) Adhkar includes the five compulsory prayers, the voluntary prayers, recitation of the Qur’an, pondering over its meanings, listening to its recitation, seeking religious knowledge, seeking forgiveness, and supplications as per the authentic hadiths. These are accomplished throughout the day and during various situations. The Performance of Adhkar Allows One to Receive Allah’s Attention Allah says,

“So remember me and I will remember you.” [Surah Al Baqarah:152]

The Prophet has related that Allah said,

“O son of Adam, if you remember Me in solitude, I will remember you in solitude. If you remember Me in a gathering, I will remember you in a gathering greater than the one in which you remembered Me.” (Musnad al-Bazzār 5138 Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Suyuti)

That is the gathering is of angels. It was in one such gathering where the case of Prophet Yunus (Alaihissalam) was pleaded by angels before Allah, when he was stuck up in the belly of the fish. He was excused from the suffering because he remembered Allah when he was in a good situation.

“Had he not been of them who glorify Allah, he would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.” [Surah Saffat: 143,144]

Ibn Kathir says he was swallowed in the early morning and brought out by evening. (Qasasul Anbiya, The Story of Yunus by Ibn Kathir) Dhikr Dtrengthens the Heart and Instills Generosity and Sabr While people search for solace in shopping, entertainment, parties and movies, Allah places solace in His remembrance.

“In the remembrance of Allah Hearts find solace.” [Surah Ar-Ra’ad: 28]

Ibn al-Qayyim said, “The disbeliever may have a stronger and healthier body, but he has the sickest heart among them, and a believer may have the weakest body, but he has the healthiest heart among the people. By Allah, if your hearts are sick and your bodies are healthy, you would be lower than an insect in the sight of Allah.” (Al-Fawaid, pg. 248) During the Fiercest Battles, Remembering Allah Generated Power and Victory Allah says,

“O who you have believed, when you meet (an enemy) forces take a firm stand and remember Allah much that you may be successful” [Surah Anfal:45]

The context of this verse is jihad and facing the enemies. It also indicates that the remembrance of Allah is among the causes of victory and strength. Therefore, it proves that one obtains physical strength and endurance required during battles through dhikr. Within a few decades of the coming of Islam, the Muslim armies defeated the Romans, Persians, Turks, Slavs, Berbers, Ethiopians, Sudanese tribes, the Copts and many from the rest of the Children of Adam. Spiritual Strength Through Adhkar is More Helpful Than the Help of Servants At times, we need the assistance of the servants, but we cannot afford it. Adhkar is the best option during such a time. That is what the Prophet(ﷺ) told his daughter Fatima to do. It has been related,

“Fatima came to the Prophet (ﷺ) asking for a servant. He said, ‘Should I inform you of something better than that? When you go to bed, recite Subhan Allah thirty-three times, Alhamdulillah thirty-three times, and Allahu Akbar thirty-four times.’” (Bukhari: 5362)

Fatima was honored as one of the four women with an accomplished faith and leaders from among the women of Paradise.

Even the Disbelievers Call Upon Allah

As the Quran is also said to be a book pertaining to the psychology humanity. Allah informs, how the believers as well as the disbelievers think when placed in different situations. Allah discloses the truth that at the time of punishment, even the disbelievers call upon Allah.

“Say: Tell me if Allah’s torment comes upon you, or the Hour comes upon you, would you then call upon anyone other than Allah? (Reply) if you are truthful! Nay! To Him alone you call, and, if He willed, He would remove that (distress) for which you call upon Him, and you forget at that time whatever partners you joined with Him (in worship).”  [Surah Al An’am:40]

Even Pharaoh Remembered Allah When in Need When Musa gave da’wah to Pharaoh to worship Allah. He rejected the truth all his life by claiming himself as God and remained arrogant. Which is why he was caught up in the torment of Allah. But at the last moment when he found no one to save him, he called upon Allah.

“When drowning overtook him, he said, ‘I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims.’”  [Surah Yunus:90]

Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl Remembered Allah when Trapped in a Stormy Sea Allah says,

“And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon vanish from you except Him. But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away. And man is ever ungrateful.” [Surah Al-Isra:67]

Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl fled from the Messenger of Allah after the conquest of Makkah and headed for Ethiopia. He set out across the sea to go to Ethiopia, but a stormy wind arose. The people said to one another, “None can save you except Allah Alone.” Ikrimah said to himself, “By Allah if none can benefit on the sea except Allah then no doubt none can benefit on land except Allah. O Allah! I promise You that if You bring me safely out of this, I will go and put my hand in the hand of Muhammad and surely, I will find him full of pity, kindness and mercy.” They came out of it safely and were delivered from the sea. Then Ikrimah went to the Messenger of Allah and declared his Islam, and he became a good Muslim. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Surah Isra: 67) When People Forget Allah, Punishment Befalls Have we ever reflected on why the punishment of Allah arrives? Are these punishments only for disbelievers? How to protect ourselves from it? Therefore, here is a clarification of all our thoughts that we have when the punishment of Allah descends. It’s to remind Muslims of their sins and call them back to remember Allah. Thus, Allah reminds-

“And indeed, We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke (Allah) with submission to Him.” [Surah Al Mu’minon: 76]

“So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened to them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.” [Surah Al An’am: 44]

In the above verse Allah states the reason why He sends warnings. Let us introspect what we should do to save ourselves from the punishment of Allah. That are: Do not be moved by the tempting world: When a person becomes forgetful in spite of witnessing several warnings during several times, Allah opens the door of properties of all enjoyment of worldly life, as he was tempted with this world so much that he did not care of Allah’s punishment. Hence, Allah made the world more glamorous, and suddenly descended with severe punishment which did not give time to regret. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “Whomever Allah gives provision, and he thinks that Allah is not testing him, has no wisdom. Whomever has little provision and thinks that Allah will not look at (provide for) him, has no wisdom.”  (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Al Anam) Do dhikr to soften the heart: Often, majority of Muslim are away from dhikr which is indeed the way of softening the heart. As repentance from sins clears the soul and softens the heart. When a person’s heart is soft, he fears more from the warning of Allah, and this leads him to more remembrance of Allah. Therefore, continuously remembering Allah and performing astaghfar makes a person safe from the tournament of Allah. Allah sends punishment to those whose hearts are hardened because of their sin as they keep on with doing wrong actions as Satan has beautified them. The Quran states,

“When Our torment reached them, why then did they not believe with humility? But their hearts become hardened, and Satan made fair seeming to them that which they used to do.” [Surah Al Anam: 43]

It’s time to act on this reminder, accept the truth, not to involve yourself in this temporary world where you forget the one who created you, try to soften your heart through His remembrance, hence you will be saved from the torment of Allah. Therefore,

“And the remembering (praising) of Allah is greater indeed.” [Surah Al Ankabut:45]