, ‘And the remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue’ (Surah al-‘Ankabut, 29:46).Dhikr-e-Ilahi (Remembrance of Allah) is an English rendering of a speech delivered by Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Deen Mahmood Ahmad, Khalifatul-Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) on 28 December 1916. This is a topic of vital importance, as Allah Himself explicitly states in the Holy Quran , ‘And the remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue’ (Surah al-‘Ankabut, 29:46).
The revered speaker delivered a splendid presentation on the nature, importance, and benefits of Dhikr-e-Ilahi. He explained that Dhikr-e-Ilahi is of four types: 1) Prayer; 2) Recitation of the Holy Quran; 3) Narration of the attributes of Allah the Exalted in gatherings and acknowledging and making their verbal affirmation; and 4) Deliberating upon the attributes of Allah in solitude. He added the methods and timing of Dhikr-e-Ilahi for maximum benefit, and particularly emphasised the value of Tahajjud prayer as a means of attaining Maqam-e-Mahmud—the praiseworthy station of nearness to Allah. He also suggested twenty-two means of fostering concentration in Prayer.
Sadly, people these days question the utility of reciting the name of God. ‘What’, they ask, ‘could be the benefit of someone sitting alone and repeatedly saying La ilaha illallah, ‘There is no one worthy of worship except Allah’ or that God is Holy, God is All-Knowing, God is All-Aware, God is All-Powerful, God is the Creator, etc.?’ The problem is compounded further because what is commonly understood to be Dhikr-e-Ilahi these days has little to do with the teachings found in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
This book addresses these concerns beautifully, comprehensively, and concisely. It expounds the underlying philosophy and benefits of Dhikr-e-Ilahi. It teaches how to engage in it as presented by the Holy Quran and practiced by the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The types and methods of Dhikr-e-Ilahi are enumerated, as are the precautions for engaging in it.
This book is a must read for everyone, but I especially recommend it to our young men and women, as it addresses their concerns about this topic in a manner that is forthright, complete, and easy to understand.
al-Haj Munir-ud-Din Shams
Additional Wakilut-Tasnif
London, United Kingdom
July 2021