Advice from Habib Husayn al-Saqqaf (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
When you remember Allah, you should focus on two things:
- Realising the greatness of Allah and His remembrance. Allah says:
ولَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَر
Truly Allah’s remembrance is greater [1]
When you say “Allahu Akbar” you must realise in your heart that Allah is greater than everything else that you hold in high esteem. Then everything in creation will dwindle into insignificance and only Allah will remain in your heart. Realise that Allah is greater than yourself and all the things that your heart is attached to. Realise that Allah is the greatest, for if your heart is overcome with veneration for Him, that feeling will settle in your inner being and your heart will be in a state of submissiveness to Him. This will then lead to another type of remembrance which is:
- Remembering Allah with more fervour, as indicated in the verse (referring to those performing hajj):
فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ آَبَاءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًا
Remember Allah as you used to remember your forefathers, but with more fervour[2]
Imagine how you remember your family when you are apart from them or how you remember someone who was very dear to you who has passed away. How do you remember someone you yearn for? You need to remember Allah with a greater yearning. Remembering Allah with fervour does not mean articulating the words with fervour. Rather it means remembering Him with intense love. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِلَّهِ
Those who believe are more fervent in their love for Allah [3]
You must remember Allah with intense passion, yearning and fervour. Say the Divine Name “Allah” with every atom of your body and with all your emotions. This is what is intended.
Every time you remember Allah, He remembers you – as expressed in a Hadith Qudsi: “I am as My servant believes Me to be, and I am present with him when he remembers Me”. Experience being “with Him.” Taste the sweetness of your Lord’s words when He says “I am with him.” Imagine how you would feel, you weak, needy and negligent slave, if He says to you, “I am with you”? Allah is your constant Companion – so reflect upon this.
[1] al-Ankabut, 29:45
[2] al-Baqarah, 2:200
[3] al-Baqarah, 2:165