Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of God is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. 29:45
The above aya provides each of us with a major life goal, namely to remember God. As a matter of fact, in this aya, we are told that the remembrance (waladhik’ru) of God is considered the greatest (akbaru) thing in life. This aya is one of several where remembrance of God is mentioned immediately following the mention of prayer:
- So, when you have accomplished the prayer, then remember Allah, upright, and seated, and on your sides. 4:103
- When the prayer ends, disperse through the land and seek the favor of God. Remember Him often so that perhaps you will have everlasting happiness. 62:10
You can see that prayer is not the only time we are enjoined to connect with God. We are encouraged to think of God after prayer ends and to think of Him often. We are told that the remembrance of God is our most important practice in life. The Quran tells us that through such remembrance we can find happiness, prosperity, and success.
If we spend time thinking about God, we will find meaning in life and cultivate our own personal relationship with God. We realize that our relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have. Thus it makes sense to cultivate it. Like all relationships, this will take work.
Most of us think of God when some sort of calamity or large problem ensues; we suffer a serious health issue; we become involved in a toxic situation in the workplace; a hurricane, fire, or other natural disaster causes severe damage to our home. However, we do not think of God often enough during the mundane day to day events of life. We can fix this by making it a priority to remain conscious of God during the day, to spend a few minutes thinking of what He expects of us in a certain situation. For example, how does God want me to start my day at home? What should I say to my spouse and family in the morning when I wake up? How does God want me to respond to an angry colleague at work? How would God want me to behave if I show up to my doctor’s appointment 20 minutes late? What would God want me to do after my brother informs me that he is laid off from work? How would God want me to proceed when my neighbors are once again having loud parties and making too much noise? What does God want me to contribute to the next school board meeting I attend? Is there anything God would want me to do for the landscaper when he comes to mow my lawn?
In other words, I can stop and think about what God would want me to do in any situation, big or small, serious or petty. Remembering God this way brings confidence, calmness, and perspective. Answering the question, “what would God want me to do in this situation” forces me to think about what God, as I understand Him to be, thinks is right for this situation, what He thinks is the best course of action. In this way, one gets to know God. Slowly we come to see that doing good depends on doing what we think God wants us to do.
I can also remember God by taking a few moments to be grateful for the things I have in life. I can think about how lucky I am to live in the home I own, to be able to walk again without pain after my car accident, to have my parents and siblings in my life, to have struggled with a difficult relationship and emerged stronger, to be able to travel and see a different culture, to have been moved by a beautiful song, to hear the birds chirp every morning, and to enjoy the sunset.
The above thoughts do not need to take much time. They can be small moments that last a few seconds or minutes during the hectic days most of us have. By remembering God in life’s day to day events as well as during life’s greatest challenges we help maintain a strong relationship with God. In turn, having a strong relationship with God, allows one to remember Him and think of Him more often. Thus, a circle is created.
We are also warned that just because we pray, it does not mean we are truly thinking of God.
The Quran states, They stand up in prayer lazily just to show that they pray, but, in truth they remember God very little. 4:142 Many people have wandering thoughts when they pray and find it hard to concentrate. Many do not understand what they are saying when they pray or perform dhikr. Ironically, prayer can be a time when you are thinking of anything and everything except God. We should strive to do better with our prayers. Our prayers and dhikr will only help us if we understand what they are saying.
It is reported in Hadith that when we recite the Tashahhud portion of our prayer, we are reciting a conversation between the Prophet (pbuh) and God, a conversation he had when he met God during his famous night journey to the heavens. It goes like this:
Prophet: “Attahiyyaatu Lillahi Was Salawatu Wattayyibatu” (All compliments, all prayer and good deeds are for Allah)
God: “Assalamu Alaika Ayyuhannabiyyu ‘Warahmatullahi Wabarka’tuhu” (Peace be upon you, O Prophet and Allah’s Mercy and Blessings).
Prophet: “Assalamu Alaina Wa’ala’Ibadillahis Saa’liheen” (Peace be on us and on all those who do good.)
We can see the miracle of the prophet speaking with God, its beauty, and its wonder. We can hope for the same for ourselves when we meet God. And we can think of and speak to God both during and between prayer.
Prophet Muhammad thought long and hard about God for many years before the angel Gabriel came to him with revelation. Through such introspection, he developed a strong relationship with God, one that would carry him far in life and we are all the better for it. The Prophet, like all prophets, understood the nature of God in a profound way. We can also cultivate our own personal relationship with God by thinking of Him deeply and often. Through such dhikr, we may achieve the prosperity and happiness the Quran assures us we can find.