In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. In the bustling rhythm of our daily lives, we sometimes overlook precious moments when our tongues could be moist with the remembrance of Allah (Dhikr), rather than being consumed by worldly concerns. As we tread the journey of life, let us gently realign our priorities and cherish the spaces in our days where we can engage in Dhikr. These spaces often come cloaked in the guise of mundane, ‘wasted’ moments — yet, these very pockets of time hold the potential of serving as portals to tranquility and divine connection.
Seize These Missed Opportunities
Here are instances where time might seemingly be ‘wasted,’ but can be beautifully converted into moments of Dhikr and deepened spirituality:
- During your morning/evening commute.
- While waiting in line at the supermarket.
- As you prepare meals for your family.
- Whilst doing household chores.
- During the advertisements while watching television.
- While waiting for an appointment.
- On your coffee/tea break at work.
- As you wait for your computer to load.
- In the calm moments after Fajr prayer.
- As you take a walk or exercise.
- While waiting for your meal at a restaurant- what better time to say Alhamdulliah?
- As your phone charges or updates.
- Whilst waiting for someone, like waiting for your kids to finish their activities.
- As you wait for the elevator to reach your floor.
- As you water your household plants.
- While waiting for the bus or the train
- During the quiet moments before you sleep.
- As you wait for the water to heat up for your bath/shower.
- Whilst waiting for your favourite program to start.
- On hold during a phone call.
- While looking outdoors gazing upon nature
- At night when you scroll on social media
- And lastly, in those moments when you’re simply doing nothing.
A Practical Dhikr Tracker
Imagine a serene garden of time that can blossom with the seeds of Dhikr; this tracker is your gardening tool.
Weekly Dhikr Time Chart
| Day | Morning Commute | Meal Preparation | Household Chores | Work Breaks | Evening Wind Down | Brief Moments of Pause (Through the Day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | ||||||
| Tuesday | ||||||
| Wednesday | ||||||
| Thursday | ||||||
| Friday | ||||||
| Saturday | ||||||
| Sunday |
Set Your Dhikr Goals
If you set a goal, it maybe easier to achieve a set number of Shikr per day
- SubhanAllah: _____ times daily
- Alhamdulillah: _____ times daily
- Allahu Akbar: _____ times daily
- La ilaha illallah: _____ times daily
- Astaghfirullah: _____ times daily
- Salawat upon the Prophet (ﷺ): _____ times daily
At the end of each day, reflect on the gentle whispers of Dhikr that you have sown. Write down your feelings and any elevation in your spirituality you may have observed.
Practical approaches to incorporating Dhikr
In the gentle embrace of His infinite wisdom and benevolence, let us consider ways in which we can replace our moments of temporal engagement with the ever-lasting comfort of Dhikr, the remembrance of Allah s.w.t. Here are some respectful suggestions for integrating Dhikr into our daily lives:
- Starting the Day with Dhikr:
As dawn breaks and the world stirs into motion, consider beginning your day with the serene recitation of Dhikr rather than reaching for the ephemeral scrolls of social media. Dedicate the first moments of your morning to glorify Allah s.w.t., allowing His praise to set a reverent tone for your day. - In Moments of Rest:
During the night, as the darkness envelopes the Earth in a quiet slumber, allocate a short period before sleep for Dhikr—let your last thoughts be in remembrance of Allah s.w.t., seeking His forgiveness and giving thanks for the blessings of the day. - Amidst Daytime Activities:
Replace a portion of your lunch break or any brief respite in your workday with Dhikr. Opt to spend this sacred interlude with a Tasbih in hand or with silent prayers upon your lips, embracing an opportunity to reconnect with your faith amidst the trials of temporal labor. - Companionship on Walks:
As you tread upon the Earth, whether it is under the vast sky or amidst the rustling leaves, use this walking meditation as an appointed time for Dhikr. As you step, let each movement be accompanied by the remembrance of Allah s.w.t., experiencing His creation while praising Him with every breath. - Evening Times with Loved Ones:
Suggest to your family or housemates that you devote a portion of your evening to communal Dhikr. This act of collective worship can not only bring you closer to Allah s.w.t. but also deepen the bonds of love and faith within your home.
These suggestions are tender invitations, not obligations, intended to gently nudge our hearts towards a state of constant awareness of Allah’s proximity. Recall that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.
Beloved brothers and sisters, let us seize these golden threads of time and weave a fabric of remembrance and connection that envelops our day, drawing us closer to Allah s.w.t. May we find in every ‘wasted’ moment, a precious opportunity to dial down the clamor of life and dial in to His divine presence.
Remember, it’s not about grand gestures but rather the consistent, humble utterances throughout our day: the soothing rhythm of “SubhanAllah,” the gratitude-infused “Alhamdulillah,” the resonant “Allahu Akbar,” and the affirming “La ilaha illallah”. Let these become our anchors, helping us navigate the currents of daily life with peace and spiritual fortitude.
May our tongues be kept moist with His remembrance, and may every moment of our existence become a testament to our faith and love for Him. Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.