Download PDF: [S] Remain in the Dhikr of Allah

It is reported that Hadrat Sayyiduna Urwah bin Zubair – may Allah be pleased with him – was considered as one of the most eminent of the Taaba’een. In fact, pertaining to his knowledge, Imam Zuhri – may Allah be pleased with him – has mentioned that he was an ocean of knowledge which never ceased. Hadrat Sayyiduna Urwah bin Zubair – may Allah be pleased with him – was also included among the seven eminent of Jurists of Madina Shareef and is the son of the blessed companion who was given glad tidings of Jannah while in this world, namely Hadrat Sayyiduna Zubair bin Awwam – may Allah be pleased with him. His mother was Sayyidah Asma – may Allah be pleased with her, who was the daughter of Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him. He was also the student of the Mother of the Faithful, Sayyidah Ayesha – may Allah be pleased with her – and also many other eminent Ashaab. While Hadrat Sayyiduna Urwah bin Zubair – may Allah be pleased with him – had this eminent quality within him, he who was blessed with immense Sabr and Ibadah.

 

Once, Waleed bin Yazeed called him to Damascus. While on the way to meet him, Hadrat Sayyiduna Urwan bin Zubair – may Allah be pleased with him – stepped on a piece of old bone. In fact, this injury was so severe that his feet began to develop gangrene. Waleed then called the best of physicians to treat him but all of them suggested that his leg had to severed and he had to be put to sleep. However, he refused to accept this suggestion and mentioned, “I refuse to be oblivious of the Dhikr of Allah ALmighty for one moment.”

 

The doctors then had no choice but to cut off his leg while he was fully awoke without any anaesthetic. When his one leg was cut and placed in front of him, he declared, “All Praise is due to Allah Almighty that only one foot has been cut and through the Divine Mercy of the Allah Almighty there are still many parts of my body which are still safe.”

 

When this unusual operation had been completed, as he sat up he received news that his one son had been killed after falling from the roof of his house. After hearing this news he declared, “All Praise is due to Allah Almighty in all conditions and even if Allah Almighty has taken away one child, I still have many other children.” (Thamaratul Awraaq, 2.288)

 

Imagine the immense amount of patience displayed by this eminent scholar that the only reason he refused to be put to sleep is because he did not want that moment to wasted but rather spent in the Dhikr of Allah Almighty. In fact, it is mentioned that as his foot was been cut, he continued to make the Dhikr of Allah Almighty without stopping. This is indeed that great status of Sabr which has also been described in the Qur’an and also praised as well.

 

To remain in the Dhikr of Allah.

 

There are many Ahadith which explain the immense Barakah of remaining in the Dhikr of Allah Almighty every moment. It has also been referred to as the best of Ibadah. We present a few Ahadith in this context.

 

  1. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that once people asked the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, “O Prophet of Allah, which servant of Allah Almighty will be considered as very eminent and esteemed in the Divine Court of Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgement?”

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – replied, “Those people who make the Dhikr of Allah Almighty in abundance among the men and those people who make the Dhikr of Allah Almighty in abundance among the females.”

 

The people then asked, “Will these people also achieve a higher status than those Mujaahideen who fight in the Path of Allah Almighty?”

 

He replied, “Even if a Mujaahid fights in such a manner that he becomes bloodied, still to, the person making the Dhikr of Allah Almighty is higher in status.” (Mishkaat Shareef, 198)

 

  1. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with them – narrates that the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has stated that, “For everything, these is a polish and the polish for the heart is the Almighty of Allah Almighty. And the most thing which will protect a person from the Divine Punishment is the Dhikr of Allah Almighty.”

 

The people asked, “Is this even greater than making Jihad in the Path of Allah Almighty?”

 

He replied, “Even if a person continues to fight and his sword is also broken, even in this state, the Dhikr of Allah Almighty is much loftier (in status).” (Mishkaat Shareef, 198)

 

  1. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has stated that, “When a nation sits together and they awake without remembering the Allah Almighty then the example of this nation is a like a dead donkey and (one can only display) regret on such a nation.” (Mishkaat Shareef, 198)

 

In brief, there is no doubt that the Dhikr of Allah Almighty is indeed a supreme form of Ibadah. This is the reason that the Awliyah spent every moment of their lives either making the Dhikr audibly or in their hearts. They were never oblivious of the Dhikr of the Allah Almighty for one moment in their lives.

 

A poet has also stated that, “O heart! Do not become oblivious of the Dhikr of the Beloved, perhaps at that moment, the Beloved looks at you and you are oblivious of this honour. Therefore, pay attention all the time, perhaps it might be the moment when you will be blessed.” (Ruhani Hikaayah)