It can be done when you’ve just woken up, driving your car or sat in a meeting. You don’t even need Wudhu!

Some general points to consider:

1) It’s from the *best* of deeds.

The Prophet (saws) said: “A man does not commit a deed better to save him from the punishment of Allah than to remember Allah.” (Ahmad).

2) What forms of dhikr should I do?

A hadith specifically for Dhul Hijjah mentions to ‘increase in tahleel (Laa Ilaaha Illa Allah), takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and tahmeed (Alhamdulillah)’ (Ahmad).

But there are a plethora of hadith on the different variations of dhikr, and it isn’t just restricted to Dhul Hijjah. One of our teachers, Shaykh AwadAlla said at minimum, one should do the following daily:

– Astaghfirullah x 100 times

– Salawaat on the Prophet (saws) x 100 times

– SubhanAllah wa bi-hamdihi x 100 times.

This is not set in stone, but a good starting point for someone not accustomed to it. The key is consistency.

3) Use a Masbaha (prayer beads) or not?

There is some discussion amongst scholars of using using a masbaha/tasbih. Most agree that using the fingers is preferred as this was a confirmed practice of the Prophet (saws).

However, there are reports that the Prophet (saws) saw his wife Safiyyah (ra) using stones and he did not rebuke her. It’s related Abu Darda (ra) made tasbih with stones from his bag.

Others however use the narrations of Ibn Mas’ud (ra) getting angry with people using beads to indicate one should not use them.

When considering all the narrations/views, it seems it ultimately comes back to the individual’s intention.

Personally, I have found using the tasbih beneficial as you have something solid you are holding as a reminder. It feels easier to count and from experience, facilitates more dhikr using them than just using one’s fingers. But others may disagree.

In any case, I believe one is free to do as they deem fit on this issue as it falls under a valid difference of opinion.

4) Do I have to move my tongue during Dhikr?

Ibn Taymiyyah says there are 4 levels of Dhikr:

i) With the heart and tongue together

ii) With the heart only

iii) With the tongue only

iv) Not doing dhikr at all… and is the state of the losers (Majmu’ al-Fataawa 10/566).

Technically and without going into detail, one could make dhikr without moving their tongue. This is for general remembrance which is NOT related to specific acts. However, devotional remembrance such as entering the prayer, reciting Surat’l-Fatiha or morning adhkaar etc need to be pronounced with the tongue.

Imam al-Nawawi said for the full reward and validity of dhikr, one *should* pronounce the words (Al-Adhkaar/46).

5) Should I stop my dhikr if I am not concentrating?

This happens a lot. You start doing dhikr and you get distracted. You might be saying the words, but your heart and head aren’t there. Should I continue?

Imam al-Ghazali says: ‘Moving the tongue [even whilst being heedless] attains a reward because it is better than moving the tongue with backbiting. Indeed, it is even better than absolute silence…

… It is however deficient in comparison to combining between the heart and the tongue.’ (Fathul-Baari).

The scholars advise one should still continue dhikr even if you’re not focused. At one point, Allah will open your heart. Sometimes it can happen within minutes, for other people it can be later. But the act of persistence is more likely to ‘wake’ the heart inshAllah.

May Allah make us from those who remember Allah often.