The Circle
One of the great Sufi practice is that of remembrance (zikr). The full name of of this practice is Remembrance of Allah. We can see the importance of remembrance in the Prophetic saying, ( Hadith) ” The People of Paradise will regret but one thing alone: the hour that passed them by in which they made no remembrance of Allah.”
Sufi masters stress remembrance of Allah, for it grounds the belief, knowledge, and faith of the seeker by focusing his or her attention on Allah. One of the fundamental commands of Allah is to do zikr as often as possible until continual awareness of the Divine Presence is established. Allah revealed to Prophet Moses, “Verily, I – I alone – am God; there is no deity save Me, Hence worship Me alone and be constant in prayer so as to remember Me!”.(Qur’an 20:14). This command for zikr has extended to all generations, although the forms of zikr have varied with time and place.
The Companions (R.A.) of the Prophet Muhammad did not perform zikr as a formal technique, for one look from the Prophet (PBUH) could elevate a person’s consciousness. When Islamic teachings were compiled after the Prophet’s death, individuals who sought a state of remembrance similar to that achieved by the companions found in zikr a critical means. They designated zikr a core practice of Sufism and set about identifying the most effective ways to perform it.
To remember Allah throughout day-to-day life is far more valuable than periodically making a show of remembrance. Zikr is not a ceremony. It is the very object of life. The person who remembers God finds happiness; the person who forgets finds only desolation. Forgetfulness is the petrifying force that turns a tree to stone. In contrast, through zikr, the aspirant achieves the mercy of Allah and the angels, purity of spirit, and adornment of the soul. Progress becomes easy, and the seeker draws near to the Almighty, for Allah has said, Remember Me and I shall remember you. (Qur’an 2:152).
Remembrance is a deepening process. It descents from the tongue to the heart, and from the heart to the soul.
Remembrance has four basic meanings:
First, it is an act of constantly striving to be mindful of God. In this sense, it is the opposite of heedlessness. Prayer is also remembrance. When we pray, we are invited into Allah’s presence. We try to keep our mind focused on the prayer and to feel Allah’s presence.
Second, remembrance is the repetition or invocation of a mystical formula or divine name. The practice of invocation requires instruction and authorization or initiation into the practice, as well as sincerity of intention, awareness, and concentration. This is the remembrance of the tongue.
Third, remembrance means a temporary, inner state (hal) in which awareness of Allah and fear of displeasing Allah overwhelm us. We become completely divorced of all concerns for the world, at least for the moment. This is the remembrance of the heart.
Fourth, remembrance is a stable inner station (maqam) in which invocation and mindfulness have become constant. We have attained the state of constant inner prayer. This is the remembrance of the soul. In the words of one Sufi saint, “Before this there was one heart but a thousand thoughts. Now all is reduced to: There is no god but God.”
