I do not intend to discuss every virtue of remembering Allah—that would take a long time. Rather, I want to remind worshippers in general, and especially those seeking good deeds in the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, of the importance of filling their time with remembrance. I draw on Ibn al-Qayyim’s observation: “The best people in any deed are those who remember Allah most while doing it. The best of those who fast are those who remember Allah most during their fast; the best of those who give charity are those who remember Allah most; and the best pilgrims are those who remember Allah most. So it is in all other circumstances.” These examples are the very deeds to which Muslims turn most during the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah.

We therefore need to recall remembrance’s merit and the greatness of its reward, to benefit as fully as possible from the blessed days and months Allah has granted us. Alongside this is Ibn ‘Abbas’s explanation of the verse in Surah al-Hajj, “and pronounce Allah’s name during the appointed days”: the known days are the first ten of Dhu al-Hijjah. Al-Bukhari also cites with a definite attribution: “كان ابن عمر وأبو هريرة -رضي الله عنهما- يخرجان إلى السُّوقِ في أَيام العشْر يُكَبِّرَانِ، وَيُكَبِّرُ الناس بِتَكْبِيرِهِمَا” This shows the Companions’ attention to remembering Allah aloud on these days.

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One of the most astonishing reports about remembrance is narrated by Ahmad in المسند, al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah in their السنن collections, and others, from Abu al-Darda’, may Allah be pleased with him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: «أَلَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ أَعمَالِكُمْ، وَأَرْفَعِهَا فِي دَرَجَاتِكُمْ، وَأَزْكَاهَا عِنْدَ مَلِيكِكُمْ، وَخَيْرٍ لَكُمْ مِنْ إِعْطَاءِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْوَرِقِ، وَخَيْرٍ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْ تَلْقَوْا عَدُوَّكُمْ فَتَضْرِبُوا أَعْنَاقَهُمْ، وَيَضْرِبُوا أَعْنَاقَكُمْ؟ قَالُوا: بَلَى، قَالَ: ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى» A number of scholars authenticated this hadith, including al-Baghawi, al-Mundhiri, al-‘Iraqi, al-Haythami, al-Hakim and al-Nawawi, and, among modern scholars, al-Albani, al-Wadi‘i and al-Arna’ut.

Ibn Kathir said: Prayer includes two things. It entails abandoning indecencies and wrongdoing, meaning that persevering in prayer leads one to abandon them. Prayer also includes remembrance of Allah Most High, which is the greater aim.

In his work on legal principles, al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salam concludes that this hadith and many other proofs show that reward need not be proportionate to exertion and fatigue in every act of worship. Allah may reward a small deed more than a large one, because reward follows differences in nobility of rank, and remembrance of Allah is among the noblest deeds. Al-Munawi comments on this hadith in التيسير: “All acts of worship, including spending and fighting the enemy, are means by which one draws near to Allah. Remembrance is the greatest aim and the heart around which all religions revolve.” End quote.

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Another astonishing passage is Allah’s saying: “Recite [O Prophet] what is revealed to you of the Book, and establish prayer, for indeed prayer restrains one from immoral acts and wickedness[16]. Indeed, the remembrance of Allah is of greater merit. And Allah knows all what you do.” Scholars offer several explanations; I mention two. First, Ibn Kathir says: “Prayer includes two things: abandoning indecencies and wrongdoing, as perseverance in it leads to their abandonment; and remembrance of Allah Most High, which is the greater aim. Hence His saying, ‘the remembrance of Allah is of greater merit,’ meaning greater than the first.” Ibn al-Qayyim reports the same meaning from their teacher Ibn Taymiyya.

Second, remembering Allah Most High is better than everything else. This is the view of Abu al-Darda’, Salman al-Farisi and Qatada, as Ibn al-Jawzi mentions in زاد المسير. Ibn al-Qayyim says: “Ibn Zayd and Qatada said its meaning is that remembrance of Allah is greater than everything. Salman was asked which deed is best. He replied: ‘Do you not read the Qur’an: the remembrance of Allah is of greater merit?’ This is supported by the earlier hadith of Abu al-Darda’, ‘ألا أنبئكم بخير أعمالكم’” End quote.

I singled out seeking forgiveness because so much has been reported about it. Al-Nawawi even says in الأذكار: “The verses about seeking forgiveness are many and well known; as for the hadiths, it is impossible to enumerate them all.”

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The third wonder of remembrance is Allah’s saying: “Therefore remember Me; I will remember you[66]. Be grateful to Me, and do not be ungrateful.” In the hadith agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim, Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, says: I am as My slave thinks of Me and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me within himself, I remember him within Myself; and if he remembers me in an assembly, I remember him in a better assembly.” The evident meanings of the verse and hadith need little explanation. I will only mention a story that helps us reflect on them. Ubayy ibn Ka‘b reports that the Prophet ﷺ told him: “إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَقْرَأَ عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ” He asked: “وَذُكِرْتُ هُنَاكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ؟” And he began to weep, may Allah be pleased with him.

The relevant point is Ubayy ibn Ka‘b’s question, “وَذُكِرْتُ هُنَاكَ؟” Another version says, “وسَمَّانِي لَكَ رَبِّي؟” He wept because Allah had mentioned him by name. This helps us appreciate the greatness of the reward in the verse, “I will remember you[66],” and in the hadith, “I remember him within Myself” and “I remember him in a better assembly” How can any of us think little of words such as “سبحان الله وبحمده، سبحان الله العظيم” when, besides weighing heavily in the balance on the Day of Resurrection, they cause Allah to speak well of the one saying them in the highest assembly, among His angels and the choicest of His creation?

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Allah says: “Muslim men and women, believing men and women, obedient men and women, truthful men and women, patient men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, and the men and women who guard their chastity, and men and women who remember Allah much – Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.” He also says: “O you who believe, when you encounter a group [in battle], stand firm and remember Allah much, so that you may triumph[27].” Many other verses and hadiths stress that remembrance should be frequent in a Muslim’s life. The first verse does not say those who give charity frequently, or fast frequently, but those who remember Allah frequently! Al-Nawawi says in الأذكار: “Imam Abu ‘Amr ibn al-Salah was asked what amount makes one among ‘men and women who remember Allah much.’ He answered: If one regularly keeps the established, transmitted remembrances morning and evening, and at the various times and circumstances of night and day, one is among them.” End quote.

If one of us reflects on a small booklet of prescribed daily remembrances, such as حصن المسلم, one will find that these alone can fill a Muslim’s life and keep the tongue constantly occupied. What then if unrestricted remembrance and supplication are added? Al-Nawawi says: “Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Wahidi reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said: The meaning is that they remember Allah after prayers, morning and evening, in bed, whenever waking from sleep, and whenever leaving or returning home. Mujahid said: A person is not among those who remember Allah often until he remembers Him standing, sitting and lying down.” End quote.

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Allah says: “And those who, when they commit a shameful act or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins[60] – who can forgive sins except Allah? – and they do not persist in what they did knowingly.” This shows that a believer who frequently remembers Allah must be quick to repent and seek forgiveness. Ibn al-Qayyim says in حادي الأرواح: “He tells us that He has prepared Paradise for the mindful, not others, then describes their qualities.” He continues: “Then He describes their relationship with their Lord concerning their sins: when they commit them, they respond with remembrance of Allah, repentance, seeking forgiveness and abandoning persistence.” End quote.

Listing the benefits of remembrance in الوابل الصيب, he says: “It produces a return to Allah Almighty. Whenever one returns frequently to Him through remembrance, this causes the heart to return to Him in every circumstance.” End quote. Frequent remembrance thus either protects one from falling into disobedience or hastens repentance and seeking forgiveness afterwards.

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Allah says: “those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah, for indeed in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility.” Al-Sa‘di explains: “He then states the mark of believers: ‘those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah,’ meaning their anxiety and turmoil disappear and joy and delight come to them. ‘for indeed in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility’ means that hearts rightly find rest in nothing else. Nothing is more delightful, desirable or sweet to them than loving their Creator, finding comfort in Him and knowing Him. Their remembrance is in proportion to their knowledge and love of Allah.” End quote.

For this reason, when religious duties seemed numerous, the Prophet ﷺ advised holding fast to Allah’s remembrance. In the hadith narrated by Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, ‘Abdullah ibn Busr reports that a Bedouin said: “يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، إنَّ شَرَائِعَ الإِسْلاَمِ قَدْ كَثُرَتْ عَليّ، فَأَنْبِئْنِي مِنْهَا بِمَا أَتَشَبَّثُ بِهِ” He replied: “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.” In this lies the heart’s life and tranquillity.

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Allah says: “Satan has taken hold of them and has thus caused them to forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Satan. Indeed, the party of Satan will be the losers.” This verse shows that those heedless of Allah’s remembrance are people whose hearts and minds Satan has taken over. It is warning enough that Allah calls them Satan’s party. Repelling devils, escaping their whispers and snares, and being saved from their party all come through remembrance of Allah. This requires seeking His help. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, therefore said to Mu‘adh ibn Jabal: “يَا مُعَاذُ، وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّكَ، وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّكَ” He then said: “I advise you, O Mu‘ādh, never fail to say after each prayer: Allāhumma a‘inni ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibādatik (O Allah, help me remember You, thank You, and excellently worship You).”

Prescribed remembrances and supplications are the regular prayers said after the ritual prayers, morning and evening, before sleep and on waking, and on other occasions. A Muslim should learn them by heart and maintain them in daily life.

Finally, I want to outline the main topics of remembrance in brief headings. Remembrance and discussion of it are so abundant that they scarcely end, quite apart from their pleasure and sweetness. I summarise them in five elements that a believer should place among the highest priorities when planning day and night:

1. The Noble Qur’an. Allah calls it remembrance in several verses, including: “It is We Who have sent down the Reminder[5], and it is We Who will preserve it[6].”

2. Sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. “فمن صلى عليه صلاة واحدة صلى الله بها عليه عشرا” as reported in the authentic hadith.

3. Prescribed remembrances and supplications: the regular prayers said after ritual prayers, morning and evening, when sleeping and waking, leaving and entering the home, eating, drinking, marital intimacy, travelling and on other occasions. A Muslim should learn and maintain them in daily life.

Unrestricted remembrance and supplication mean glorifying and praising Allah, declaring His oneness and greatness, affirming that there is no power or strength except through Him, and praying for the good a person needs in this world and the next, without a specified time.

4. Seeking forgiveness. I mention it separately because so much is said about it in Allah’s Book and His Messenger’s Sunnah ﷺ. Al-Nawawi says in الأذكار: “The verses on seeking forgiveness are many and well known; as for the hadiths, it is impossible to enumerate them all.” End quote.

Here I will mention an important hadith narrated by al-Bukhari from Shaddad ibn Aws. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ أَنْ تَقُولَ: اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعَتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ". قَالَ: «وَمَنْ قَالَهَا مِنَ النَّهَارِ مُوقِنًا بِهَا فَمَاتَ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُمْسِيَ فَهُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَمَنْ قَالَهَا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ وَهُوَ مُوقِنٌ بِهَا فَمَاتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصْبِحَ فَهُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ" By observing this remembrance every morning and evening with certainty in its meaning, a servant secures being among the people of Paradise.

I must also remind myself and my brothers to seek forgiveness often in the hours before dawn. Allah says: “and who seek forgiveness before dawn[9].,” and: “and before dawn they would seek forgiveness[5],.”

5. Unrestricted remembrance and supplication: glorifying and praising Allah, declaring His oneness and greatness, affirming that there is no power or strength except through Him, and praying for the good one needs in this world and the next without a specified time. This meaning is drawn from the earlier hadith: “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.”

These five elements undoubtedly deserve separate reflection, one by one. I ask Allah for guidance and help in doing so. I must also remind women who, because of menstruation or postnatal bleeding, spend days or weeks without ritual prayer or fasting, that they are not prevented from remembering Allah in all its forms. According to the majority of scholars, they are prohibited only from touching the physical Qur’an. Let remembrance of Allah be their foundational act of worship, one they never neglect.

Allah knows the purpose behind these words.