QUESTION:

What do the scholars of the Dīn and muftīs of the Sacred Law state regarding the following issue: What is Qalbī Dhikr – is it permissible?

Questioner: Ali from Manchester, UK

ANSWER:

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایۃ الحق والصواب

The meaning of Qalbī Dhikr is to remember Allāh Almighty in the heart i.e. remembering Him silently, and this is also known as Dhikr Khafī [silent remembrance]. It is totally permissible, in fact it has many excellences & virtues and is the easiest way of attaining His closeness. Many saints of Allāh Almighty have used the method of Dhikr Khafī to attain the nearness of God.

Allāh Almighty also mentions the command of silent remembrance in the Majestic Qur’ān, just as He Almighty states,

{وَاذْکُرۡ رَّبَّکَ فِیۡ نَفْسِکَ}

{And remember your Lord within your hearts}

[Sūrah al-A’rāf, 205]

Dhikr Khafī is also mentioned in Hadīth and has been regarded as the best form of remembrance. Just as is narrated by Sayyidunā Sa’d, may Allāh Almighty be pleased with him, that the Noble Messenger of Allāh ﷺ stated that,

“خَيْرُ الذِّكْرِ الْخَفِيُّ”

“The best form of remembrance is the silent kind.”

[Musannaf ibn abī Shaybah, vol 6, pg 85, Hadīth no 29663]

[Mafātīh al-Ghā’ib (Tafsīr Rāzī), vol 14, pg 281]

Silent remembrance protects a person from beginning to show off and cuts off love for everything other than God becoming a complete person, and it also benefits one with fanā fī Allāh. Sayyidī A’lāhadrat, Imām Ahmad Ridā Khān, upon whom be infinite mercies, blessed his spiritual representatives as well as his followers with a specific method of silent remembrance, which can be seen in his booklet – al-Wazhīfaj al-Karīmah – of which this servant, may I be forgiven, has been granted permission from spiritual leaders as well as having experienced the benefits of it.

Other than this, contemplating & pondering over the bounties of Allāh Almighty in one’s heart is also known as the remembrance of the heart – may Allāh Almighty bestow & grant us this & may this supplication be accepted by means of His Noble Prophet ﷺ.

واللہ تعالی اعلم ورسولہ اعلم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم

کتبہ ابو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء قادری

Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qadri

Translated by Haider Ali

Read the original Urdu answer here: [Q-ID0754] What is Qalbi Dhikr and is it permissible?