CULTURE OF ISLAM

80 What is ZIKRULLAH
Imtiaz Muhsin 25-May-12

The main objective of these talks (and therefore the scripts of these talks), is to stimulate thinking. Sensible, rational and logical thinking. So, my message, think, think & think! Be sensible, be rational and be logical.

80 What is ZIKRULLAH?

Please Note
1. I have had the great privilege, (since Aug 2010), of presenting talks on the weekly Radio Program Culture of Islam [Every Friday 8 to 8.30 pm, Radio Sri Lanka - FM 97.4] 2. Since these are Radio Talks, I refer to, or address the audience as listeners 3. I am well aware that the audience to these talks would consist of people belonging to a variety of faiths. So as to make people of all faiths feel included, I very often use words and names that are common to all religions. 4. For these reasons, I use the name GOD, as well as Abraham, Moses, Jesus etc as well as the names Allah, Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam), Moosa (Alaihis Salaam), Easa (Alaihis Salaam) etc 5. Muslims by habit usually say Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam, when the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, and Alaihis Salaam' when the name of a Prophet is mentioned. However, in these series of talks I have reduced the use of these prayers & sayings to the bare minimum. 6. Muslims, also by habit, use a number of Arabic prayers or sayings, such as Alhamdulillah, Insha Allah and so on. Again, I have reduced the use of these prayers or sayings to the bare minimum. 7. Sometimes I have to write Arabic words in the English script. I have devised my own way of writing Arabic in English, as follows;

th TH

s Ss SW

DHL DHZ

H h

Gh GH

Information on these talks along with all download links can be found on my on my Blog (http://imtiazm.wordpress.com/) The dates or the schedules of these talks can be viewed on the Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/ImtiazMuhsin786) The Scripts of these talks can be downloaded from www.ScribD.com (www.ScribD.com Author Imtiaz Muhsin) The audio files of these talks can be downloaded from YouTube (YouTube Channel Imtiaz Muhsin) The YouTube Link to this talk is at

All Praise and Thanks is due to Allah and Allah alone Alhamdulillah! P.S. The Picture on the cover shows the interior of the Akkaraipattu Jummah Mosque which is located in the Ampara District of Eastern Sri Lanka. The special feature of this Mosque are the beautiful woooden pillars.

80 What is ZIKRULLAH?

80 What is ZIKRULAH?
Dear Friends, I greet you all with Assalamu Alaikum! Today, I would like to discuss the topic Zikrullah or the Zikr of Allah or to give the English translation The Remembrance of Allah That would be the translation, but what does it mean? We all have some, maybe even a vague idea of what Zikrullah means. But when we discuss its ingredients or what it entails, I am sure that many of us are going to be taken by surprise. I was taken by surprise! I wonder, why no one explained it to me before. In my talk I will be referring to the following Quran Aayaths. 1. From Surah No 62 S. Jummah 3 Aayaths Aayath Nos 9, 10 & 11 2. For Surah No 63 S. Al MunafiQoon 1 Aayath Aayath No 9 3. From Surah No 3 S. Aal E Imraan 2 Aayath Aayath No 190 & 191. I request listeners to note these Aayaths down and refer to them after this talk. Now, how or where do I start from? A convenient place would be to consider that today is Friday. To all of us Friday begins at 12 Midnight and ends 24 hrs later, just before 12 midnight. But according to the Arabic Calendar, Friday or the Youm Ul Jummah or the Day of Jummah, begins with Sunset on Thursday evening and ends just before Sunset on Friday evening. So strictly speaking, according to the English Calendar, which we follow in Sri Lanka, today is Friday, whilst according to the Arabic Calendar we have just entered Saturday or the Yawm As Sabt. Anyway, whether we are now in Friday or in Yawm As Sabt I would like to look on it as an opportunity to speak about the significance of the Day of Jummah or the Yaum ul Jummah. To all Muslims the Friday or the Jummah Day, is significant because it is the day when we all assemble or congregate at the big Mosque or the Jummah Mosque of the locality for our Friday or Jummah congregational Prayers. In Sri Lanka it is the Males who attend the Jummah Prayers. Around noon, (the timing varies according to the season), the call for Jummah or the Azaan is made and we all go to the Masjid, where in silence we listen to the Imam delivering a sermon. Strictly speaking there are two sermons. The main features of the first sermon are in Arabic, but the explanation would be in the local dialect which in Sri Lanka is usually in Tamil. The second sermon is short and is only in Arabic. The two sermons are followed by the Jummah Salaath or the Jummah prayers.

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It is a good occasion for the community to be briefed on matters of topical interest covering the domains of both the religious as well as the worldly or the social environment. It is a great contributor to the religious and social education as well as the political awareness of Muslims, living as communities all over the World. In most Muslim majority countries, Friday is the weekly holiday, making it easier for people to attend the congregation at the Masjids in their own localities rather than having to leave for the congregation from their offices or their places of work. Now, I am sure many people have this unasked question, at the back of their minds. What is this Jummah Prayer or this Jummah Salaath? What is the purpose of this Jummah and what are we supposed to do after the Jummah? If I may rephrase that question, what changes should we have undergone by this Jummah and how is this change demonstrated or exhibited? The best way to search for this answer would be to look at the Holy Quran. It is interesting to note that out of the 114 Surahs commonly referred to as the Chapters, there is one chapter titled Surah Jummah, or the Chapter on Jummah. This is Surah No 62. This is a Surah of 11 Aayaths or commonly referred to as 11 verses. The word Aayath means Signs and refers to the Signs, the Signs that Allah is pointing out to us through the Holy Quran. Thus the word Verse or Verses is misleading. I prefer to use the word Aayath or Signs. It is the last 3 Aayaths of this Surah that draws attention to the Jummah Salaath, and also points out to the answers of those questions, which I described as the unasked questions. Let us look at these 3 Aayaths, in phrases. (62:9) O you who believe, when the call for Salh (prayer) is proclaimed on the day of Jummah, hasten for Zikrullah, and leave off Baiygh (Business) That is much better for you, if you but know.

You would notice that in a few words, this Aayath of the Holy Quran covers a number of areas or domains. The Tabligh Jamaath or the popular Islam revivalist movement, emphasize on what is commonly referred to as the Six Numbers. These are actually six qualities which would equip us to lead lives as better Muslims. These six numbers are; 1. Imaan or belief 2. Salaath or Prayer 3. Ilm and Zikr or Enlightening knowledge and remembrance 4. Ikram or honoring 5. Ikhlas or sincerity 6. Tabligh or inviting or motivating.

80 What is ZIKRULLAH?

I was quite pleased to find that all these six numbers could be found in this Aayath of the Holy Quran.
Yaa aiyyuhallazeena Aamanu would correspond to those with Imaan. Noodhiya LiSWalaathi would refer to the Salaath Inkunthum Taghlamoon would refer to ilm Fas auw ilaa Zikrillahi would refer to Zikr Wazarul baiygh - business is done to serve or for Ikram, so the instruction to keep off business would mean that we are being invited to a better Ikram - a better service. Ikhlas we would not leave our businesses unless we possess ikhlas Noodhiya LiSWalaathi the call for Salaath would refer to the call or the Dhawah, thus referring to Tabligh.

Now, returning to the meaning of this Aayath. What does this Aayath tell us? 1. It addresses the believers. 2. The call is for Salah 3. Leave off Baiygh or trade 4. Take on or hasten to Zikrullah or the remembrance of Allah 5. If you had ilm or enlightened knowledge, you would know that this is good for you Now let us look at the next Aayath, in phrases; (62:10) Then once the Salh is over, disperse in the land, and seek the Fadhl of Allah, and do Zikrullah abundantly, so that you may be successful.

What does this Aayath tell us? 1. When the Salaath is over. 2. Disperse in the land or on Earth 3. Seeking the Fadhl of Allah commonly referred to as the grace of Allah 4. An important instruction do excessive Zikrullah, why? 5. So that you would be successful. So, when we read these two Aayaths together, the instruction that emerges is; 1. With the call for Salaah stop your trade. 2. With the call for Salaah, go for Zikrullah or the Zikr of Allah 3. When the Salaath is over seek the Fadhl of Allah, 4. To seek the Fadhl of Allah you should increase the Zikrullah 5. It is the seeking of the Fadhl of Allah with abundant Zikrullah that would make us successful. Now what does Allah mean by his Fadhl? Let us first look at the translation of the word Fadhl
80 What is ZIKRULLAH?

The 4 English translations of the Holy Quran that I frequently refer to are the translations by Allama Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pikthall, Dr. Mohsin Khan and Mufti Taqi Usman. Allama Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pikthall and Dr. Mohsin Khan all translate Fadhl of Allah as the Bounty of Allah, whilst Mufti Taqi Usman translates it to mean the grace of Allah. Surely to seek His Fadhl or His grace, we should know what it is. Many of us have this thinking that the Fadhl of Allah is in trade or business. And this thinking is actually strengthened when we think that we are first told that when the call for Salah is given, stop business and go for Zikrullah. Then we are told when the Salaah is over seek out Allahs Fadhl or grace, so we think that we should now begin our trade. We are further encouraged when we think that Allah is now referring to trade as His Fadhl. Is this correct? Does the Fadhl of Allah refer to business or trade or the mundane materials of this World? Surely Allahs Fadhl should be something very much greater than that. So, let us look at the next Aayath, in phrases, it is the final Aayath in Surah Jummah. (62:11) And when they see some Tijaarath or LaHwa, they break away to it, and leave you standing. Say, What is with Allah is much better than the LaHwa and the Tijaarath, and Allah is the best giver of sustenance.

What does this Aayath tell us? 1. It begins with the word and, which means it is closely linked to the earlier Aayath. 2. Which in turn means that when you are going to seek the Fadhl of Allah, they when they see trade or amusement, they break away to it and keep you standing? The obvious implication is that those who get distracted by trade (thijaarath) and amusement or useless pursuits (laHwa) have got distracted from seeking the Fadhl of Allah. 3. In other words, Fadhl is not in LaHwa or in Thijaarath, Trade or in amusement makes sense doesnt it? 4. We are instructed to Say, that what is with Allah is better than trade (thijaarath) and amusement or useless pursuits (laHwa) 5. Allah informs us that He is Khairur Raazikeen the best giver of RizQ or sustenance Now the question is who are these they? There are obviously 2 parties mentioned here, they are the you and the they Translators suggest that this you refers to Prophet Muhammad (Sal), but then, this set of Aayaths began with the words Yaa aiyyuhallazeena Aamanoo or Oh you who believe, thus showing us that this you refers to the believers. Then who are the they This they are from those who attended the Jummah Salaath. There is a strong indication that this they are the Munafiqoon or the Hypocrites, and this argument in further strengthened by the title of the next Surah, Surah No 63 titled Al Munafiqoon or the Munafiqs and this in Aayath too Allah provides us with more information on Zikrullah or the remembrance of Allah. Now, let us see some of the lessons we have learnt from these 3 Aayaths the last 3 Aayaths of Surah Jummah.

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1. With the call for Salaah stop your trade. 2. With the call for Salaah, go for Zikrullah or the Zikr of Allah 3. When the Salaath is over seek the Fadhl of Allah, 4. To seek the Fadhl of Allah you should increase the Zikrullah 5. It is the seeking of the Fadhl of Allah with abundant Zikrullah that would make us successful 6. The group described as they would be distracted from seeking the Fadhl of Allah, from Zikrullah and thus from success itself. 7. This group that is described as they would be distracted by Merchandise (thijaarath) and amusement or useless pursuits (Lahwa) 8. We are instructed to Say, that what is with Allah is better than amusement or useless pursuits (laHwa) and trade (thijaarath) 9. Allah informs us that He is Khairur Raazikeen the best giver of RizQ or sustenance. The lessons we can derive from these 3 Aayath are; 1. Being distracted or occupied in trade (thijaarath) and amusement or useless pursuits (laHwa) is opposed to, or is in contrast to the seeking of the Fadhl of Allah 2. A question that would arise is, If I am to seek the Fadhl of Allah and not get distracted by trade (thijaarath) and amusement or useless pursuits (laHwa), then how do I sustain myself and my family? 3. Allah answers this unasked question in 2 steps; (a) Say, What is with Allah is much better than the amusement and the merchandise, (b) and Allah is the best giver of sustenance We are required to Say it not just by mouth only, but by our hearts and by our actions too. Now, we have 3 questions; 1. What is Zikrullah? 2. What is the Fadhl of Allah 3. Who is this group described as they? Now, let us look at Surah MunafiQoon the 63rd Surah in the Quran. We look at Aayath No 9 of this Surah. This Aayath gives us more insight to Zikrullah, and thus to the Fadhl of Allah; Let us see read this Aayath, in phrases; (63:9) O you who believe, your riches and your children must not divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And those who do that are the losers.

What does this Aayath tell us? 1. It addresses the Mumins or the believers 2. Do not let your wealth and your children divert you from the Zikrullah, thus Zikrullah is very much more important than your wealth and your children. 3. Those who get distracted from Zikrullah are the losers clearly indicating that profit and loss is not in wealth and children but in Zikrullah and in the Fadhl of Allah.

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Now, let us see the lessons we can learn from these 4 Aayaths; 1. With the call for Salaah stop your trade. 2. With the call for Salaah, go for Zikrullah or the Zikr of Allah 3. When the Salaath is over seek the Fadhl of Allah, 4. To seek the Fadhl of Allah you should increase the Zikrullah 5. It is the seeking of the Fadhl of Allah with abundant Zikrullah that would make us successful 6. The group described as they would be distracted from seeking the Fadhl of Allah, from Zikrullah and thus from success itself. 7. This group that is described as they would be distracted by Merchandise (thijaarath) and amusement or useless pursuits (Lahwa) 8. Your wealth and your children should not divert you from Zikrullah or the remembrance of Allah. 9. Those whose wealth and children distract them from Zikrullah are the real losers. 10. We are instructed to Say, that what is with Allah is better than amusement or useless pursuits (laHwa) and trade (thijaarath) 11. Allah informs us that He is Khairur Raazikeen the best giver of RizQ or sustenance. The lessons we can derive from these 4 Aayath are; 1. We are advised to seek the Fadhl of Allah and to do Zikrullah abundantly. 2. We are told not to get distracted from Zikrullah by these 4 things, namely; (1) Our trade (or thijaarath), (2) Amusement, entertainment or useless pursuits (laHwa) (3) Our Wealth or our possessions (Amwaal) (4) Our Children (Awlaadh) 3. A question that would arise is, If I am to seek the Fadhl of Allah and not get distracted by trade (thijaarath) and amusement or useless pursuits (laHwa), my wealth (Amwaal) as well as my children (Awlaadh) all 4 of which are closely connected, then how do I sustain myself and my family? 4. Allah answers this unasked looming question in 2 steps; (a) Say, What is with Allah is much better than the amusement and the merchandise, (b) and Allah is the best giver of sustenance We are required to Say it not just by mouth only, but by our hearts and by our actions too. Now, we still have 3 questions; 1. What is Zikrullah? 2. What is the Fadhl of Allah 3. Who is this group described as they? I will try to answer question No 3, first. In Surah MunafiQoon, it becomes clear that this group described as they are the MunafiQoon or the Hypocrites those who pretend to be Muslims or believers, so that they can enjoy worldly benefit. The opportunity arises especially since the Mumins would avoid such transcendental benefits. Now, to question No 1. What is Zikrullah? The best answer that I can give would once again be from the Holy Quran;

80 What is ZIKRULLAH?

In Aayath No 190 & 191 of Surah Aal e Imraan, Allah Taaalah tells us;
(3:190) Surely, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for the people of wisdom, (3:191) who do the Zikr of Allah whilst standing and sitting, and (lying) on their sides, and ponder on the creation of the heavens and the earth

What do we learn from these 2 Aaayath? Allah tells us about 8 things. 1. His special Signs or Aayaath 2. The Oolul al baab people of understanding or the wise people 3. & 4. The creation of the Heavens and the Earth 5. & 6. The alternation of the Night and the Day 7. Zikrullaaha or the Zikr of Allah 8. Fikr (or contemplation) So the Oolul Albaab see these signs and do the Zikr of Allah in all positions or all states or at all times, whilst they do Fikr about the creation of the Heavens and Earth. So in simple terms we could say we do Zikr about the creator (Allah) and Fikr about the creation. Now we have another question, what is meant by the word Fikr? Maybe Insha Allah I could, with the help of Allah, attempt to answer that some other week Insha Allah From the 3 questions that I had listed earlier, I have now very briefly but I am sure very meaningfully answered two of them. That is who is this they that is mentioned in Surah Jummah and what is Zikrullah. I hope that all of you were to get some idea of what Zikrullah really is and what it entails. It is not easy to understand at once, and needs thinking over, but then I am sure many of us would have realized that our conception of Zikrullah has changed during these last few minutes. Insha Allah, I hope so. The Quran Aayaths that I referred to during todays talk were; 1. From Surah No 62 S. Jummah 3 Aayaths Aayath Nos 9, 10 & 11 2. For Surah No 63 S. Al MunafiQoon 1 Aayath Aayath No 9 3. From Surah No 3 S. Aal E Imraan 2 Aayath Aayath No 191 & 192 Please note these Aayaths down, and refer to them often.

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We now, only have to find out the real meaning of the word Fadhl of Allah which Insha Allah, I hope to attempt next week again Insha Allah May Allah Taaalah guide us all and accept us all!
Imtiaz Muhsin Colombo Sri Lanka crescent786@hotmail.com

You Tube Channel - HaneefanMusliman

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80 What is ZIKRULLAH?