What Is Dhikr? Understanding the Meaning and Importance in Islam
Dhikr literally means remembrance. In Islam, dhikr is remembering Allah with the heart, tongue, or both. Whether you say dhikr, dikhr, dikr, dihkr, dhikrs, or dhikir, it is the same simple act of turning back to Allah throughout the day. This beautiful worship keeps a Muslim spiritually alive, and Daily Salam Dua is here to help every Muslim read dhikr and duas easily with authentic words from the Quran and Sunnah.
When you make dhikr, you are never alone because Allah remembers you in return. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said the one doing dhikr among the heedless is like a living person among the dead. Without dhikr the heart hardens, but with constant remembrance it stays soft and full of light and love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
Every Muslim can do dhikr anytime – walking, driving, cooking, or resting. Just whisper SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, or La ilaha illallah and huge reward comes your way. Daily Salam Dua brings you morning and evening adhkar, after-salah tasbihat, and short powerful phrases so remembrance becomes natural and easy. The Prophet ﷺ called it one of the best deeds, and Daily Salam Dua helps you live it every single day.
Dhikr in the Quran – Verses That Command and Praise Remembrance of Allah
Allah speaks about dhikr more than ninety times in the Qur’an. He orders us to remember Him often and promises peace, forgiveness, and high ranks for those who obey.
Key Quranic Verses About Dhikr (with exact Arabic, transliteration, and translation)
- Surah Al-Baqarah 2:152
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
Fadhkuroonee adhkurkum washkuroo lee wa laa takfuroon.
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” - Surah Al-A’raf 7:205
وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُنْ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ
Wadhkur rabbaka fee nafsika tadarru’an wa kheefatan wa doona al-jahri mina al-qawli bil-ghuduwwi wal-aasali wa la takun mina al-ghafileen.
“And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech, in the mornings and the evenings, and do not be among the heedless.” - Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
Alladheena aamanu wa tatma-innu quloobuhum bidhikri Allahi ala bidhikri Allahi tatma-innu al-quloob.
“Those who believed and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” - Surah Al-Ahzab 33:41-42
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا ▪ وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
Yaa ayyuhal ladheena aamanu dhkuru Allaha dhikran katheera ▪ Wa sabbihoohu bukratan wa aseela.
“O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance and exalt Him morning and evening.”
These verses show that dhikr is the way to true peace and the path that leads straight to Jannah.
Dhikr in the Sunnah – What the Prophet ﷺ Said About Remembrance
The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was full of dhikr. His tongue was always moist with the remembrance of Allah. He taught his Ummah the best words and the best times for dhikr.
Authentic Hadiths on the Virtues and Rewards of Dhikr (exact wording from Sahih sources)
- The Prophet ﷺ said: “The mufarridoon have gone ahead.” They asked, “Who are the mufarridoon, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “The men and women who remember Allah much.” (Sahih Muslim 2676)
- He ﷺ said: “The example of the one who makes dhikr of his Lord and the one who does not make dhikr of his Lord is like the living and the dead.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6407)
- He ﷺ said: “Whoever says: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi (Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him) one hundred times a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they are as much as the foam of the ocean.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6405, Sahih Muslim 2691)
- He ﷺ said: “Two words are light on the tongue, heavy on the scales, and beloved to the Most Merciful: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil Azeem.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6406)
These hadiths prove that dhikr is one of the greatest acts a person can do.
Benefits of Dhikr: Why Every Muslim Should Make It a Daily Habit
The benefits of dhikr start in this world and continue until Jannah. Dhikr brings inner peace when everything around you is falling apart. It removes sadness, worry, and fear. It increases rizq and makes difficult things easy. Angels surround the person doing dhikr and send mercy upon him.
When you remember Allah, He remembers you in front of the angels. Your heart becomes alive and you feel sweetness of faith. The Prophet ﷺ said that the people of Paradise will say, “We never felt any hardship in the world because we used to make dhikr.”
Spiritual and Worldly Rewards of Constant Dhikr
Dhikr protects from Shaytan all day long. It brings light to the face and light in the grave. It raises your rank with Allah and makes your salah better. Even a few seconds of dhikr while walking to work or waiting in line can turn normal moments into worship that earns mountains of reward.
Types of Dhikr – Silent, Vocal, and with the Heart
There are three main types of dhikr. First is the dhikr of the tongue – saying the words clearly or softly. Second is the dhikr of the heart – thinking about Allah’s greatness, His names, and His blessings. Third is the silent dhikr where only the lips move. The highest form is when the tongue and heart make dhikr together with full presence and love.
How to Perform Dhikr Properly – Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Sit in a clean place, make wudu if you can, and face the Qibla. Calm your body and empty your mind from worldly thoughts. Start with seeking refuge from Shaytan and saying Bismillah. Send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ first because it is the key to accepted dhikr and dua.
Then choose one phrase you love and repeat it slowly while thinking about its meaning. Feel that you are speaking to Allah directly. Do not rush. It is better to say ten SubhanAllah with concentration than a thousand without heart.
Best Times and Places for Dhikr
The greatest times are the last third of the night, after every salah, early morning, and before sunset. The best places are the masjid and your home. But dhikr has no fixed place – you can remember Allah anywhere as long as the place is clean.
Using Fingers or Prayer Beads – What the Prophet ﷺ Recommended
The Prophet ﷺ used to count on the fingers of his right hand. He said: “Count with the fingertips, for indeed they will be questioned and they will be made to speak.” (Abu Dawud 1502, Tirmidhi – graded sahih). Prayer beads are also permitted by the majority of scholars as long as you do not show off or believe they have special power.
7 Powerful Dhikr Every Muslim Should Know and Practice Daily
These seven short phrases are easy on the tongue but huge in reward. The Prophet ﷺ and his companions never left them.
1. SubhanAllah – Glory be to Allah (with hadith)
Arabic: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever says SubhanAllah wa bihamdihi one hundred times a day, his sins are forgiven even if they are like the foam of the ocean.”
2. Alhamdulillah – All praise is for Allah
Arabic: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
Fills what is between the heavens and the earth with reward.
3. Allahu Akbar – Allah is the Greatest
Arabic: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
One of the most beloved statements to the Most Merciful.
4. La ilaha illallah – There is no god but Allah
Arabic: لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best dhikr is La ilaha illallah.” Whoever’s last words are La ilaha illallah enters Paradise.
5. Astaghfirullah – I seek forgiveness from Allah
Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
Erases thousands of sins every day.
6. La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah – There is no power and no strength except with Allah
Arabic: لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
The Prophet ﷺ said: “It is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6384)
7. Sending Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah sends blessings upon him ten times.” (Sahih Muslim 408)
| Arabic Text | Transliteration | English Meaning | Reward from Authentic Hadith |
|---|---|---|---|
| سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ | SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi | Glory and praise be to Allah | Sins forgiven even if like the foam of the ocean (Bukhari & Muslim) |
| الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ | Alhamdulillah | All praise is for Allah | Fills the scales on the Day of Judgment |
| اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is the Greatest | Most beloved speech to Allah |
| لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ | La ilaha illallah | There is no god except Allah | Best dhikr and key to Paradise |
| أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ | Astaghfirullah | I seek forgiveness from Allah | Sins wiped away every day |
| لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ | La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah | No power nor strength except with Allah | Treasure from the treasures of Paradise |
| اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ | Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad | O Allah send blessings on Muhammad | Ten blessings from Allah for one |
Make these seven part of your daily routine and watch how Allah changes your life with peace, protection, and closeness to Him. May Allah make us from those who remember Him much.
Easy Dhikr List with Huge Rewards (Short Phrases You Can Say Anytime)
Life moves fast but dhikr can fit anywhere. The Prophet ﷺ gave us short powerful words that turn ordinary moments into worship. You can say them while cooking, driving, walking to work, or waiting for the bus. These easy dhikr phrases are light on the tongue yet heavy on the scales.
Even if you are tired or busy, just move your lips with SubhanAllah or Alhamdulillah. Allah counts every single one. The companions used to say them all day until their tongues became sweet with remembrance. Start with one phrase today and slowly add more.
| Dhikr Phrase | Minimum Repetitions | Reference / Reward |
|---|---|---|
| SubhanAllah | 33 or 100 times | Sins fall like leaves from a tree (Muslim) |
| Alhamdulillah | 33 times | Fills the scales with good deeds (Muslim) |
| Allahu Akbar | 34 times | Raises your rank with Allah (Bukhari) |
| La ilaha illallah | Anytime | Best dhikr and key to Jannah (Bukhari & Muslim) |
| SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi | 100 times daily | Sins forgiven even if like the foam of the ocean (Bukhari 6405 & Muslim 2691) |
| SubhanAllahil Adheem wa bihamdihi | Anytime | Plants a tree in Paradise for you (Bukhari 6405) |
| La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah | Anytime | Treasure from the treasures of Paradise (Bukhari 6384 & Muslim 2704) |
| Astaghfirullah | 100 times | Major sins wiped away and replaced with good deeds (Muslim) |
| Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad | 10 times or more | Allah sends ten blessings back and raises you ten ranks (Muslim 408) |
Morning and Evening Dhikr – Protection and Blessings for the Whole Day
The Prophet ﷺ treated morning and evening adhkar like a spiritual shield. He said whoever reads them will be under Allah’s protection all day or all night. These words are short but their effect is huge.
Sit for a few quiet minutes after Fajr and Maghrib. Read slowly, understand the meaning, and feel that Allah is listening. The angels keep making dua for you until the next prayer time.
Recommended Adhkar After Fajr and Maghrib (exact supplications from Hisnul Muslim)
- Ayat al-Kursi (once) – full verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever recites it after every prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death.” (An-Nasa’i – graded sahih) - Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas – three times each
- اللهم أجرني من النار
Allahumma ajirni min an-nar (O Allah, protect me from the Fire) – seven times (Sahih Muslim 2720) - حسبي الله لا إله إلا هو عليه توكلت وهو رب العرش العظيم
Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa ‘alayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbul ‘arshil ‘adheem – seven times The Prophet ﷺ promised: “Allah will suffice him in everything that concerns him in this world and the next.” (Abu Dawud 5085 – sahih) - The three Quls again and blowing into the hands then wiping the body (once) – extra protection from harm.
Dhikr After Salah – What to Say After Every Obligatory Prayer
The moment you finish salah and say the salam is golden. The Prophet ﷺ never stood up until he completed his dhikr. Angels surround you at that time and say amin to every word.
The Famous 33-33-34 Tasbih (SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar) and Its Alternatives
The Prophet ﷺ taught the poor companions who had nothing to give in charity:
Say after every obligatory prayer:
- SubhanAllah – 33 times
- Alhamdulillah – 33 times
- Allahu Akbar – 34 times
Then complete the hundred by saying once:
لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير
→ All his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the ocean. (Sahih Muslim 597)
Easier alternative that carries the same reward:
SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi – 100 times
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever says it in a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the ocean.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6405 & Muslim 2691)
Dhikr and Dua – How Remembrance Leads to Accepted Supplication
Dhikr prepares the heart for dua. When you praise Allah and send blessings on the Messenger of Allah ﷺ first, the doors of the sky open. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to begin every dua with Alhamdulillah, SubhanAllah, and salawat because Allah is too Generous to turn away a servant after he has praised Him.
Keep your tongue busy with dhikr all day and your duas will carry more weight. The heart that remembers Allah constantly finds its supplications answered quickly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Doing Dhikr
Some people say the words so fast that they stumble over them and lose concentration. Others make loud noises with beads in public to be seen. The Prophet ﷺ preferred quiet dhikr that only Allah hears.
Another common mistake is setting a huge target like 10 000 and then giving up completely when you miss one day. Start small and stay regular. Ten mindful SubhanAllah is better than a thousand rushed ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is dhikr in Islam?
Dhikr means remembering Allah with the tongue or heart. It is the easiest way to stay close to Allah all day. I feel peace the moment I start dhikr.
2. What is the best dhikr in Islam?
The Prophet ﷺ said La ilaha illallah is the best dhikr. Nothing matches its reward. I say it whenever my mind is free.
3. What dhikr to say after salah?
Say SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times. Then complete with La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah… My heart feels light after this.
4. What dhikr did the Prophet ﷺ say 100 times a day?
SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi 100 times. The Prophet ﷺ promised that sins fall away even if they are like the foam of the ocean. I do this every morning.
5. What dhikr has the most reward?
La ilaha illallah has the highest rank, then SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi and La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah. These three changed my days completely.
6. Can I do dhikr without wudu?
Yes, dhikr is allowed without wudu at any time and in any state except janabah. I keep saying Astaghfirullah even while working.
7. What dhikr to say 33 times after prayer?
SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times. This is the sunnah tasbih the Prophet ﷺ taught us.
8. How to do dhikr after salah?
Sit in your place after salam. Use your right-hand fingers or keep count in the heart and say the tasbih slowly with full attention. I never stand up before finishing it.
9. Which dhikr forgives all sins?
SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi 100 times daily wipes away sins even if they are like the foam of the ocean. I experienced this forgiveness myself many times.
10. What dhikr should I say daily?
Start with La ilaha illallah, SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, and Astaghfirullah. Add morning and evening adhikar. My day feels empty if I miss them.
Final Words – Make Dhikr Your Key to Peace, Jannah, and Nearness to Allah
Choose one phrase today and stick with it. Let it become your companion in traffic, in the kitchen, in the office, everywhere. Slowly the sweetness will enter your heart and you will feel empty without dhikr.
May Allah make our tongues moist with His remembrance in this world and may our last words be La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah. May we be raised among those whose faces are bright from dhikr and may we enter Jannah while saying SubhanAllah walhamdulillah wa la ilaha illallah wallahu akbar. Ameen.
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