Dhikrullah in Heaven Is the Equivalent of Breathing in Dunya!

The Importance of Dhikrullah Series, Vol 11

Mawlana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani

29 July 2012   Fenton Zawiya, Michigan

Suhbah after Fajr

A`oodhu billahi min ash-Shaytaani 'r-rajeem. Bismillahi 'r-Rahmaani 'r-Raheem.

Nawaytu 'l-arba`een, nawaytu 'l-`itikaaf, nawaytu 'l-khalwah, nawaytu 'l-`uzlah,

nawaytu 'r-riyaadah, nawaytu 's-sulook, lillahi ta`alaa fee haadha 'l-masjid.

Dhikrullah has a lot of benefits and we cannot go through all of them, but in any way you remember or mention Allah (swt), dhikrullah never ends. It is said that Allah (swt) revealed to the People of Paradise to make tasbeeh for Him, to glorify Him, which for them is their eternal life as dhikr is eternal. Any tasbeeh, tamjeed, takbeer or tahleel is divine, as it is through Allah's Beautiful Names and Attributes, which are Eternal.

The dhikr of Ahlu ‘l-Jannah, the People of Paradise, whom Allah (swt) made to glorify Him, is also eternal, and their in and out breaths are with dhikrullah.

No one can limit dhikrullah, as it is from when there was no beginning until there is no end. As mentioned by many scholars, when Allah (swt) created the Pen, He said to it, "Write!" and it said, "Yaa Rabbee! What am I going to write?" and He said, “Write!” and it said, "Yaa Rabbee! What am I going to write?" and a third time He said, “Write!” and it said, “What am I going to write?” He said, “Write, ‘Laa ilaaha illa-Llah!’”

“Laa ilaaha illa-Llah” was raised up when there was no beginning, but to whom was Allah (swt) saying, “Laa ilaaha illa-Llah” when there was yet no one in existence? Laa ilaaha illa-Llah, which is described as “afdal adh-dhikr,” is Maqaam at-Tawheed. So to whom was Allah (swt) mentioning Maqaam at-Tawheed when there was yet no one? And to whom was the Pen writing, “Laa ilaaha illa-Llah.” Before any creation was created, there must have been someone there, receiving revelation from Allah (swt), telling that one, “There is no one except Me to be worshipped!" and introducing to him Maqaam ar-Ruboobiyya, the Level of Lordship, and to Maqaam of `Uboodiyya, the Level of Servanthood! This means Allah (swt) was pointing to someone, saying, “You are My Servant and I am your Lord, and don't think of putting yourself with Me!”

Because Prophet (s) showed the utmost level of belief and greatest servanthood to Allah (swt), Allah raised the name of His Prophet (s) beside His Name and made him think in every moment of his life, “Allah is my Creator and I am His Servant!” When Allah (swt) raised, “Muhammadun Rasoolullah,” that name became divine!

Allah (swt) said, “Laa ilaaha illa-Llah Muhammadun Rasoolullah,” which, according to the hadith, is the best form of remembrance:

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Afdalu 'dh-dhikri laa ilaaha illa-Llaah.

The best remembrance of Allah is to say,“There is no god but Allah.”   (Tirmidhi)

And, “Muhammad is His Messenger.” So since every dhikr is eternal and divine, then “Laa ilaaha illa-Llah Muhammadun Rasoolullah,” is eternal and divine! From that declaration of Allah's Oneness in His Greatness, no one can be united with Him; there is no “wahdat al-wujood,” as they claim: no one can unite, be with, be associated or be related to Him, as He is lam yalid wa lam yulad wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad, “He neither begets nor is born, nor is there like unto Him any equivalent!” (Surat al-Ikhlaas: 112) He is with no modality, no space or time: He is where He is, by Himself! He is the Creator and Sayyidina Muhammad (s) is His sincere servant!

The first dhikr revealed to Prophet (s) was, “SubhaanAllah, alhamdulillah, wa laa ilaaha illa-Llah w ‘Allahu Akbar,” which is the breath of human beings in Paradise; they have breath that is molded with dunya, where both pure and impure breath is mixed; however, the breath of Ahlu ‘l-Jannah is pure and eternal, as it is composed from these four words, “SubhaanAllah, alhamdulillah, wa laa ilaaha illa-Llah w ‘Allahu Akbar,” a breath Allah (swt) creates for them. Recitation of “SubhaanAllah, alhamdulillah, wa laa ilaaha illa-Llah w ‘Allahu Akbar” is a maqaam from which people take the highest pleasure in Paradise, as known to awliyaullah. Perhaps there are unknown higher maqaams in infinite numbers that no one but Allah (swt) and His Prophet know, and the Prophet (s) knows only what Allah (swt) opened for him; all else is still in “His Treasure,” about which Allah (swt) said:

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Kuntu kanzan makhfiyyan fa ahbabtuhu an u`rafa fa khalaqtu ‘l-khalq.

I was a Hidden Treasure (and) I wanted to be known, so I created Creation. (Hadith Qudsi)

Do you think that Treasure has been exposed? Whatever is hidden in it is still there and still unknown. Allah (swt) made known only a dharrah, an atom of that reality, while the rest are still hidden, which no one can carry, neither heavens, nor earth, nor the whole universe, except for one, about whom Allah (swt) said:

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Law anzalnaa haadhaa al-Qur’ana `alaa jabalin la-ra'aytahu khaashi`aan mutasaddi`an min khashyatillah.

If We had caused this Qur'an to descend upon a mountain (O Muhammad), verily you would have seen it humbled, rent asunder by the fear of Allah! (Surat al-Hashr, 59:21)

Allah (swt) said, “If we had revealed the Holy Qur'an on a mountain, the mountain would have shattered into powder from khashiyatillaah, fear of Allah!” Here “mountain” describes the greatness of the earth. The Himalaya Mountains are 7,000 meters high, which shows greatness, so if the Holy Qur’an was revealed on the heaviest mountain on earth, it would shatter, and also if all mountains were added together, Mt. Uhud would still be heavier! Rather, the Qur’an was revealed on the Greatest Mountain, the heart of Sayyidina Muhammad, which did not shatter and was able to carry it, not like when Sayyidina Musa (a) asked to see Allah (swt), Who then manifested His Beautiful Names and Attributes on the mountain, which shattered, meaning, “Yaa Musa! You cannot see Me, so don’t ask! That power is not for you, but only for My Beloved One, Sayyidina Muhammad (s)!”

So when awliyaullah understood that reality, they left dunya and began to be busy with dhikr of, “SubhaanAllah, alhamdulillah, wa laa ilaaha illa-Llah w ‘Allahu Akbar, wa laa hawla wa laa quwatta illa billahi 'l-`Aliyyu 'l-`Azheem,” which is their breath in dunya. Allah (swt) gave awliyaullah the reality of that dhikrullah from Paradise to enjoy and take pleasure from in dunya. That is why they are always busy with dhikrullah, as they know it’s food for their souls. They want to leave dunya in a state of purity that comes on the soul by remembering Allah (swt) through these four words, “SubhaanAllah, alhamdulillah, wa laa ilaaha illa-Llah w ‘Allahu Akbar,” in which there are lots of secrets.

So when Allah (swt) ordered the Pen to write, “Laa ilaaha illa-Llah,” He revealed to the Prophet (s), "Yaa Muhammad! Because of your purity, I raised you for everyone to know that no one can come to Me without you." As much as you say, “Laa ilaaha illa-Llah” without adding “Muhammadun Rasoolullah,” your Islam is not complete, so there must be something in “Muhammadun Rasoolullah.”

Yaseen is the Heart of Holy Qur'an and the Holy Qur'an came from the Hidden Treasure, as it is Divine. Allah (swt) said, “I was a Hidden Treasure and I created creation in order to be known.” Allah (swt) created creation within the structure of  “Muhammadun Rasoolullah;” creation is not outside of “Muhammadun Rasoolullah,” which is why all angels saw that Allah (swt) raised His Prophet (s) and why He ordered them to make salawaat on him, the Praised One. If he was not Praised, angels would not make salawaat on him. Not only that, but Allah (swt) ordered them to make sajda to the Light of the Prophet (s) in Sayyidina Adam (a). He raised him to the extent of ordering all angels to respect him by going into the sajda of respect, to say, “Yaa Rabbee! We respect Your Servant!” So in order to show them the honor of Sayyidina Muhammad (s), He ordered them into sajda, which they did without hesitation, except one, whom Allah (swt) cursed! Therefore, we have to thank Allah (swt) for creating us to be from Ummat an-Nabi (s) and for guiding us!

The Prophet (s) said dhikrullah is better than spending infaq al-waraq wa ‘dh-dhahab, silver and gold (or whatever you spend) and even better than jihad fee sabeelillah, as in the hadith:

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Alaa unabbiukum bi khayri `amaalikum wa azkaahaa `inda maleekikum wa arfa`ihaa fee darajaatikum wa khayrun lakum min infaaq adh-dhahabi wa ‘l-wariq, wa khayrun lakum min an talqaw `aduwwakum fa-tadriboo a`naaquhum wa yadriboo a`naaqakum. Qaaloo balaa, qaala dhikrullaahi ta`ala.

Shall I not inform you the best and the purest of your deed in the sight of your Master, which is the highest in your degrees, is superior to your spending gold and silver in charity, and is better than confronting and fighting against your enemy, cutting one another’s necks?” The Companions submitted, “Yes, indeed!” He said, “It is remembering Allah.” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad)

The Prophet (s) said:

Alaa ukhbirukum bi khayri `amaalakum wa azkaa, “Shall I not tell you about the best and most pure deeds in the Presence of your Mighty King (swt), the highest level you can reach in your ascension, which is better for you than spending gold and silver and better than finding and fighting against your enemy?” They said, “Yes, yaa Rasoolullah! Tell us what is better than any `amal and jihad.” He said, “Dhikrullah!” as Allah (swt) said in the Holy Qur’an, ‘Fadhkuroonee adhkurkum, washkuroo lee wa laa takfuroon.’”

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Fadhkuroonee adhkurkum, washkuroo lee wa laa takfuroon.

Remember Me, I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful towards Me.  

(Surat al-Baqarah, 2:152)

Allah (swt) is coming and showing love to us by saying, “Remember Me! Don't deny Me, but remember Me!” Our duty is to remember Him, but out of love, Allah (swt) is saying, “I will remember you!” although He (swt) doesn't need to tell us that, as it is our obligation to remember Him. However, He is showing love to us by saying, “Nevermind! Remember Me and I will remember you. It is a trade: if you want Me to remember you, then remember Me.” This shows the delicate nature of Allah’s Love, in the wording “adhkuroonee,” as if to say, “Please remember Me! I love you, I am for you and I will give you what you want.” What is better to want than, “I will remember you, but first come!” If you come to Allah (swt) by one hand-length, Allah comes to you one arm’s length,  and if you come to Him walking, He comes to you running, as He said:

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Ana `inda zhanna `abdee bee wa ana ma`ahu idhaa dhakaranee, fa in dhakaranee fee nafsee dhakartahu fee nafsee wa man dhakaranee fee mala’ainn dhakartahu fee mala’ainn khayra minhu wa man taqarrab ilayya shibran taqarrabtu minhu dhiraa`an wa man taqarrab minnee dharaa`an taqarrabtu minhu baa`an wa man ataanee yamshee ataytahu harwalah.

I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself, and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly better than it, and if he draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s length, and if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length, and if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running!  (Hadith Qudsi)

Allah (swt) is showing His Love to humanity, to Ummat an-Nabi (s), which is something that cannot be described, but rather it can only be tasted. He is saying, “Remember Me excessively and let them say, ‘You are crazy!’” Try to make as much dhikrullah as you can, until they call you “crazy,” as the Prophet (s) said:

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Akthiroo min dhikrillah hatta yaqooloo majnoon.

Remember Allah (swt) so much that people start saying, ‘He has gone mad.’” 

(Ahmad, Musnad; Ibn Habban)

Therefore, qul Allah, “Say, ‘Allah!’” as Allah (swt) ordered in the Holy Qur'an:

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Qul Allah thumma dharhum fee khawdihim yal`aboon.

Say, "Allah," then leave them to play in their vain discussions. (Surat al-Anaam, 6:91)

So when we say “Allah,” it is not bid`a, as some claim, “Don't make dhikr with the Name ‘Allah.’” Allah (swt) said that the Holy Qur’an is dhikru ‘n-naatiq, talking dhikr. He is saying say, “Yaa Muhammad! Tell your ummah to say, ‘Allah,’ as it is a talking dhikr, then leave those who are not doing dhikrullah plunged in their play, as they are the losers!”

So our duty is to say “Allah” until they say we are crazy, which they are already saying! Let them say it even more, because then we will fit the description of the hadith! Can you sit in a Salafi masjid and make a dhikr circle and say "Allah!" No you cannot, they will throw you out! That is why Allah (swt) revealed to His Prophet (s) to say, “Make dhikr until they say you are crazy!” Today they say, “Look at these crazy people!” and alhamdulillah that is what we want, as then we come under the description of the hadith, akthiroo min dhikrillah hatta yaqooloo majnoon. So to be “crazy” is good because the Prophet (s) mentioned it! In another hadith narrated by ibn Hibban and Ibn Majjah, the Prophet (s) said:

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Allah (swt) says, “I am with My servant when he remembers Me and his lips quiver in My remembrance.” (Ibn Habban, Ahmad, Tabarani)

Allah (swt) is saying, “I am with My Servant when he wants to remember Me, and even before his lips move I am already with him!” So why do people come and say they have problems and difficulties? Make dhikrullah and Allah (swt) will be with you! Doesn't Allah (swt) know what you are facing of burdens and problems? Doesn't He know what problems He is sending to you, only to raise you higher and higher? So make dhikrullah and let them say you are majnoon, as that is what they say, “Look at those people who go to the mosque to sit together and make dhikrullah, they are deviant!” Is that not what they say?

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One person came to the Prophet (s) and said, “Yaa Rasoolullah! inna shara`ia al-islaam qad kathurat `alayya, the rules of Islam became heavy on me." Prophet (s) said, “Ija`l lisaanak ratban min dhikrillah, make your tongue wet with dhikrullah." (Tirmidhi)

One `Arabee came to the Prophet (s) and said, qad kathura `alayya sharaa`iah al-Islam, “The rules and conditions of Islam are too much on me, which I cannot handle. I am a Bedouin. Give me something easy that I can do, like milking a cow or goat.” The Prophet (s) said, “Make your tongue moist with dhikrullah.” That means continue making dhikrullah and Allah (swt) will be with you and raise you higher and higher in ascension, and as you ascend from place to place, you will feel a Presence of Allah's Beautiful Names and Attributes in every ascension.

Imam Qushayri (q) said, adh-dhikr rukn qawwiy fee tareeq al-haqq, “Dhikr is the main pillar in the Way of Truth,” so don’t look for something else. Today they tell you to make your prayers then wear your jeans and go to the mall, as I witnessed in California much to my surprise. So Imam Qushayri (q),one of the biggest imams of his time, said, “No one can reach Allah (swt) except through being continuous on