Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
Remembrance and glorification of Allah through repetition of sacred phrases.
Dhikr (Arabic: ذكر) means "remembrance" or "mention" and refers to the act of remembering and glorifying Allah through repetition of sacred phrases and prayers. Dhikr can be performed at any time, but is especially recommended after the obligatory prayers.
The most common dhikr phrases after prayer are: "SubhanAllah" (Glory be to Allah) 33 times, "Alhamdulillah" (All praise to Allah) 33 times, and "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest) 34 times — a total of 100 repetitions.
The Quran says: "O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance, and glorify Him morning and evening" (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:41-42). Dhikr brings peace and tranquility to the heart and strengthens the believer's connection to Allah in daily life.
Related terms
Taqlid (Following a School of Law)
The practice of following a qualified scholar's legal opinions without necessarily knowing the evidence.
Sunnah (Voluntary Prayer)
Voluntary prayers based on the Prophet's practice.
Bid'ah (Innovation in Religion)
An innovation or addition to religion that has no basis in the Quran or Sunnah.
Qalb Salim (The Pure Heart)
The pure, sincere heart — the ultimate goal of prayer and worship.
Masjid al-Aqsa (The Farthest Mosque)
The third holiest mosque in Islam, in Jerusalem, connected to the Prophet's nocturnal journey.
Irsal (Arm Position in Prayer)
The Shia practice of letting the arms hang at the sides during prayer.