three forms of zikr

three forms of Thikr
Hadhrat Abu Saeed Kharraaz (rahmatullah alayh) said: “There are three forms of Thikr.

(1) Thikr only with the tongue. The heart is oblivious. While the tongue is engaged in Thikr, the heart dwells elsewhere. This is Thikr by habit.

(2) Thikr with the tongue with the heart being present. This is Thikr of high merit.

(3) Thikr only with the heart. In this form the tongue remains inactive. This is the highest form. Only Allah Ta’ala is aware of its rewards and its lofty stage.”

Comment: The first form of Thikr is actually the Masnoon (Sunnat) way. This form has been prescribed for the entire Ummah – for the ordinary folk as well as for high ranking Auliya. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Maintain your tongue moist (and fresh) with the Thikr of Allah.” All Masnoon forms of Thikr are Thikr-e-Lisaani (Thikr with the tongue).

Thikr with the tongue is the first stage. Without this first stage it is impossible to reach the second stage in which the heart co-operates with the tongue and attentively listens to the proclamation of the tongue. Therefore, regardless of the heart being inattentive, Thikr should not be abandoned. The Qur’aan and Hadith command perpetual Thikr – Thikr at all times and in every walk of life. Perpetual verbal thikr will embed the Remembrance of Allah in the heart.

Even if the second stage is not attained after even a lifetime of verbal thikr, this Thikr should not be abandoned on account of the non-co-operation of the heart. Thikr even with only the tongue is not futile, and it will not go unrewarded even in this world. One of the primary functions of the tongue is Thikrullaah. It is therefore Waajib to ensure that this wonderful organ (the tongue) is perpetually engaged in the Remembrance of Allah Ta’ala. It should not be wasted and ruined in futility, nonsense, falsehood and sinful utterances. One should be grateful to Allah Ta’ala for the ability (taufeeq) to keep at least the tongue employed in His Thikr.

The second stage will, Insha’Allah, be attained gradually if the first stage is diligently implemented and steadfastly sustained. The third stage is the practice of the Auliya of lofty ranks. Ordinary people may not practice the third stage for it will be pure deception of Shaitaan to make them forgetful of Thikr.




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Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Close the door of sins with Isti-aathah (i.e. reciting Ta-awwuth), and with Bismillaah open the door of worship.”