“And establish prayer for My remembrance.” (Surah Taha: 14)
Remembrance of Allah is the Essence of Salah
Every entity has a soul that keeps it alive and radiant, spreading its light and blessings. Similarly, Salah has a soul, and that is the remembrance of Allah. The essence of Salah is the remembrance of Allah, and this remembrance is the core of the prayer. Salah is established so that the heart becomes filled with the remembrance of Allah. Salah is an act of constant remembrance, and no other form of worship involves as much remembrance as Salah. In the Quran, Salah is described as the remembrance of Allah. Allah says:
“O you who believe! When the call for prayer on Friday is made, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade.” (Surah Jumu’ah: 9)
Explaining the purpose of Salah, Allah says:
“And establish prayer for My remembrance.” (Surah Taha: 14)
The meaning of this verse is so clear that nothing more can be said to explain that the greatest philosophy and purpose of Salah is the remembrance of Allah. Hence, we must ensure that our Salah is filled with the remembrance of Allah and is a means of remembering Him.
Ibn Arabi, in the commentary of this verse, writes:
“Do not remember anyone else during the prayer, as He has said: ‘Worship Me alone,’ meaning show humility only before Me, and establish Salah purely for My remembrance, detach yourself from the world, be sincere for the Hereafter, and keep your tongue and heart occupied with the remembrance of the Master.”
(Ahkam al-Quran, Vol. 3, p. 256)
Muhammad Ratib Nabulsi states:
“The greatest thing in Salah is the remembrance of Allah. Therefore, the purpose of Salah is to remember Allah. In fact, the reality is that Salah is remembrance. Indeed, when you pray, you are remembering Allah.”
(Tafsir al-Nabulsi, Vol. 7, p. 62)
Abu al-Hasan al-Wahidi, in his commentary on this verse, attributes the following to Hasan Basri (although other commentators have not attributed it to him):
“Establish Salah to remember Me, for Salah is nothing without the remembrance of Allah.”
Mujahid states:
“When a person prays, he remembers his Lord.”
Ibn Qutaybah prefers this interpretation, saying:
“So that you remember Me in it.”
(Al-Tafsir al-Basit li al-Wahidi, Vol. 14, p. 341)
Al-Zamakhshari writes:
“So that you remember Me, for My remembrance is that I be worshipped, and prayers are offered to Me.”
(Al-Kashaf, Vol. 3, p. 921)
Salah is the Best Form of Remembrance of Allah
The most comprehensive, complete, heartwarming, and effective form of remembering Allah is through Salah because in Salah, our entire being is engaged in worshiping Allah. We remember our Lord with our entire existence, becoming a living embodiment of this remembrance. In Salah, we remember Allah verbally, through recitation, glorification, praise, takbir, Quranic readings, gratitude, repentance, and supplication. Simultaneously, we remember Allah in our hearts, through sincerity, humility, fear, gratitude for His blessings, acknowledging His greatness, and contemplating His signs and creations.
Furthermore, we remember Allah through the actions of our bodies, such as standing, bowing, and prostrating. Even the tears in our eyes due to the fear of Allah and listening to His name with reverence are forms of remembrance.
Khurram Murad writes:
“In Salah, our mind, heart, and soul are engaged in the remembrance of Allah. Our tongue, given to us by Allah, continuously expresses devotion, gratitude, and love for Him, glorifies His name, and declares His greatness. Our entire body displays submission and servitude. We stand with folded hands like slaves. When we feel that our servitude is still incomplete, we bow before Him. And when we realize that our humility is not yet fully expressed, we prostrate, placing our head and forehead on the ground before Him. These actions reflect servitude and slavery.”
(Saadat Ki Zindagi, p. 58-59)
Immerse Yourself in the Remembrance of Allah During Salah
Salah is meant for the remembrance of Allah, and this remembrance should be abundant. The more we remember Allah, the more profound and impactful our Salah becomes. Therefore, when you pray, immerse yourself in the remembrance of Allah, especially during prostration, as it is the moment of closest proximity to Allah. Allah says:
“And prostrate and draw near (to Allah).” (Surah Al-Alaq: 19)
During your prayers, fill your heart with the greatness of Allah, His majesty, His purity, His immense power, His unique wisdom, and His countless blessings.
Remember, a prayer devoid of the remembrance of Allah is a soulless prayer, lacking light, impact, benefit, and blessings. Hence, strive to make your Salah soulful and effective, not soulless and ineffective, filled with light and blessings.
How to Enhance the Remembrance of Allah in Salah?
To enhance the remembrance of Allah in Salah, follow these practices:
- Pray with Understanding
Perform Salah with comprehension because various forms of Allah's remembrance, His beautiful names, and attributes are mentioned repeatedly. Reflecting on these can greatly enhance your remembrance of Allah. - Stay Focused
Remembrance is not just verbal but also involves the heart. Maintain focus from the beginning to the end of Salah. If the heart is distracted, correct it. - Pray with Tranquility
Praying hastily can never increase the remembrance of Allah. Therefore, pray with calmness and peace, as haste can spoil your prayer. Prolong Prostrations and Make Abundant Supplications
During prostration, a servant is closest to Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) said:“The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so make abundant supplications.”
(Muslim, Hadith No. 1083)In voluntary prayers, there are ample opportunities for this. Take advantage of these moments.
- Self-Reflection
To enhance the state of remembrance, ask yourself:- Do I perform Salah with tranquility or haste?
- Is my heart present in Salah or distracted by worldly matters?
- Am I talking to Allah or to myself?
- Do I understand the prayers I recite?
- Do I reflect on the meanings of the verses?
By focusing on these aspects, Insha'Allah, you will immerse yourself in the remembrance of Allah and enjoy its blessings.
Impact of Salah Filled with the Remembrance of Allah on Life
The more our Salah is filled with the remembrance of Allah, the greater its impact on our lives. Many people wonder why their Salah does not prevent them from sinning, despite the Quran stating:
“And establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prevents from immorality and wrongdoing.” (Surah Al-Ankabut: 45)
This is an important issue that requires detailed understanding. The Quran describes three prominent types of sins:
- Sins Based on Immorality and Sexual Misconduct:
These include actions that are indecent and lead to moral degradation. - Sins Related to Injustice and Transgression:
These are sins that violate others' rights, which are universally recognized as wrong. - Sins of Rebellion Against Allah:
These involve disobedience and defiance against Allah’s commands.
A person can disobey Allah in any of these three ways. Salah protects against all these sins, but the verse in Surah Al-Ankabut specifically mentions immorality and wrongdoing. This is because, as soon as a person bows before the Lord in Salah, he moves away from rebellion and defiance against Allah. Hence, this type of sin is not mentioned in the verse.
The remaining two types of sins are immorality and wrongdoing, and the verse explains that Salah prevents these sins.
If our Salah does not prevent us from these sins, then we must read and understand the complete verse. The part that is usually neglected and not emphasized is:
“And establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prevents from immorality and wrongdoing. And the remembrance of Allah is greater, and Allah knows what you do.” (Surah Al-Ankabut: 45)
This is the complete message from Allah.
It means that Salah is essentially the remembrance of Allah.
It is living with Allah while being among people.
It is accepting the greatness of Allah while living in the unseen.
It is surrendering oneself to the Lord before being held accountable.
This state of remembrance of Allah is a very great thing. It is so profound that a person constantly feels that Allah is watching over him, and thus he cannot take a step towards disobedience.
When his desires urge him to indulge in unlawful acts, the remembrance of Allah restrains him and chains his soul. When temptations try to overwhelm him, making him lose control over his mind and eyes, the remembrance of Allah appears and brings everything back within bounds.
His interests urge him to disregard halal and haram, his desires prevent him from adhering to moral obligations, his biases hold him back from following the truth, his love for his family prompts him to violate boundaries, his love for this world drives him to chase temporary gains, and his love for wealth and status pushes him towards oppression and sin.
But at every point, this living prayer, this remembrance of Allah, stands like a rock before him, stopping him in his tracks. If, at any stage, he succumbs to his emotions or circumstances, he never behaves like a rebellious person. In the next prayer, he realizes that Allah is ever-living and ever-watching, so he turns back to his Lord and repents.
In this way, Salah keeps a person away from sins in every aspect of life because when Salah is performed properly, one always remembers Allah and is constantly aware of Him. This is the remembrance that protects from sin, not the soulless ritual of standing and bowing.
(Abu Yahya, Bas Yehi Dil, p. 128-129 with slight modifications)
Maulana Amin Ahsan Islahi writes:
“Desire for sin and disobedience arises from neglect and disregard for Allah. If the remembrance of Allah is present, surrounding all times of day and night, how can the heart become tainted with neglect and forgetfulness? And if it does, this continuous stream of Allah's remembrance called Salah will not let it remain. Remember, the true essence of Salah is to keep the remembrance of Allah ever fresh. Not a moment of a believer’s life should be devoid of the remembrance of Allah.”
(Haqeeqat-e-Namaz, p. 16-18)
Two Essential Realities of Salah Regarding Remembrance of Allah
In Salah, we repeatedly say “Allahu Akbar,” meaning Allah is the greatest, Allah is the most magnificent. These two words convey a profound reality.
Abu Yahya writes:
“There are two prominent aspects of the remembrance of Allah in Salah: first, the greatness of Allah, and second, the declaration of His purity.
‘Allahu Akbar’ and ‘Subhan Allah’ are not just the most repeated words in Salah but the declaration of two fundamental truths. A proper understanding of these truths can transform human psychology and consequently, human actions.
First, let’s take ‘Allahu Akbar.’ This phrase repeatedly reminds a person that his Lord is the greatest, greater than anyone, and the greatest of all. By nature, a person fears the power of someone greater, and when this introduction of Allah as the greatest is repeatedly absorbed during Salah, he becomes humble before Allah. This humility during Salah translates into submission in practical life. When faced with moments where he has the power to commit oppression, the freedom to disobey, or the authority to usurp someone’s rights, the remembrance of the great Allah from Salah comes to his mind. The previously powerful, free, and authoritative person becomes small before Allah. He realizes that he cannot escape from this great Allah, so he refrains from sinning even in solitude. He does not transgress the rights of Allah or the rights of people. He does not break the limits of religion or nature. With every part of Salah, the constant reminder of ‘Allahu Akbar’ binds him to acknowledge Allah's greatness and fulfill its demands.
The second reminder of Salah is through the declaration of purity, ‘Subhan Allah.’ This means acknowledging that Allah is free from every defect, mistake, and imperfection, beyond every comparison and example. The believer begins Salah with this recognition, bows in submission to it, and places his forehead on the ground in prostration to affirm this truth.
Understanding the purity of Allah is no small matter. Without comprehending this, a person might attribute things to Allah that could lead him to shirk or atheism. It also prevents the development of a trusting and loving relationship between the servant and the Lord, which is the true nourishment for the soul.
It is this declaration of purity that tells us Allah is neither powerless nor indifferent, not a careless king nor a law-bound judge requiring evidence. He is pure, magnificent, and exalted, awaiting the day when every rebellious and oppressive person will be in Hell, and every righteous person will enjoy the eternal bliss of Paradise. Hence, ‘Subhan Allah’ protects a person from shirk, atheism, despair, and inaction, and keeps him bowed before Allah even in the most difficult circumstances.
These internal aspects of Salah, the declaration of greatness and purity, create God-conscious, active, and courageous believers, the kind of people most needed in today’s world.”
(Bas Yehi Dil, p. 235-236)
Khurram Murad writes:
“A person’s being, heart, personality, life, and death are tied to the remembrance of Allah. Salah keeps the remembrance of Allah alive in our lives. It is through the remembrance of Allah that a person remains vigilant and alert, repents when he errs, and keeps his heart alive through the remembrance of Allah.”
(Saadat Ki Zindagi, p. 59)
The Majesty of Remembrance of Allah
The greatness of the remembrance of Allah is that it always keeps a person connected to his Lord. Without it, a person would go astray from the path of Allah. Without it, life would lose its balance. It is the very source of life's beauty. A person who remembers Allah never experiences discontent. His life is spent in tranquility and peace. Allah says:
“Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d: 28)
Every Muslim should be aware of the magnitude of the remembrance of Allah. If he is unaware of this reality, he can easily become heedless of it, then other things will take precedence in his life over the remembrance of Allah, such as wealth, business, and pleasures. Allah says:
“And the remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing).” (Surah Al-Ankabut: 45)
The remembrance of Allah is the greatest, surpassing every emotion and every desire. It is greater than every act of worship and every act of devotion.
(Tafsir Fi Zilal Al-Quran, Vol. 11, p. 62)
Only those who spend their days and nights immersed in the remembrance of Allah can truly appreciate its greatness.
Muhammad Ratib Nabulsi provides a beautiful explanation of this verse:
“What is greater than the remembrance of Allah? And what does remembrance mean? Is it the servant remembering his Lord, or is it the Lord remembering His servant? Is it remembering Allah during Salah or outside of it?
The essence of the word ‘remembrance’ (dhikr) is to repeat something, to recall it continuously, to keep it in mind. Indeed, if you remember Allah, you affirm your nature (of worship).
If you remember Allah, you will be content. If you remember Him, you will be blessed with His nearness. If you remember Allah, your fears, anxieties, sorrows, losses, disturbances, restlessness, and feelings of deprivation will disappear.
There are two types of remembrance: verbal remembrance and heartful remembrance. It is possible that in this context, remembrance refers to heartful remembrance. Allah says:
“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance, and glorify Him morning and evening.” (Surah Al-Ahzab: 41-42)
This verse sheds light on the meaning of “the remembrance of Allah is the greatest.”
And what did the Prophet (PBUH) say about remembrance? Bukhari narrates that Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (RA) said that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like the example of the living and the dead.”
(Bukhari)
In Muslim, it is reported that the Prophet’s habits were such that he remembered Allah at all times. Aisha (RA) said:
“The Prophet (PBUH) remembered Allah in all circumstances.”
In happiness, in distress, in poverty, in prosperity, in health, in sickness, night or day, while traveling or at home, in hardship or ease, whatever the situation, the Prophet (PBUH) always remembered Allah.
What about you? Do you remember Allah verbally or with your heart? If your remembrance is verbal, while your heart is absent, then this superficial remembrance is not enough. In such remembrance, the heart’s involvement is necessary, although the tongue is the key to the heart.
The first meaning of ‘the remembrance of Allah is the greatest’ is that Salah, along with preventing immorality and wrongdoing, elevates a person and brings him closer to Allah.
The second meaning is that in Salah, the remembrance of Allah is the greatest. Allah says:
“And establish prayer for My remembrance.” (Surah Taha: 14)
The purpose of Salah is to remember Allah. When you pray, you remember your Lord, and if someone forgets to pray, their connection with their Lord weakens. Allah says:
“So woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayer.” (Surah Al-Ma’un: 4-5)
And the one who rushes to prayer at its appointed time, whose work and business do not distract him from prayer, is called someone who remembers Allah. In Bukhari and Muslim, Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (RA) narrates that he asked the Prophet (PBUH): “Which deed is most beloved to Allah?” He (PBUH) replied: “Prayer at its proper time.”
Therefore, when you intend to do anything, whether it is writing a letter, holding a meeting, or anything else, do not forget that the remembrance of Allah is greater than all these things. If you become so engrossed in your work that you forget Salah, it means that the remembrance of Allah is not significant for you.
The third meaning is that Allah's remembrance of His servant is greater than the servant’s remembrance of Him. Allah says:
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 152)
When you remember Him, He remembers you. When you leave your work, close your shop, go to the mosque, perform ablution, and pray, when Allah remembers you, His remembrance is far greater than yours. You are in need of Him, so avoid boasting about your devotion because Allah's remembrance of you is far greater. When you remember Him, you worship Him, but when He remembers you, He enriches you, shows mercy to you. When He remembers you, He brings you closer, makes you fortunate. When He remembers you, He protects you, gives you peace. When He remembers you, He grants you wisdom, instills tranquility in your heart. When He remembers you, He grants you success, makes your work easy. When He remembers you, He makes you influential and turns you into a source of goodness.”
(Tafsir al-Nabulsi, Vol. 7, p. 60-62)
The Essence of Remembrance of Allah
Now, understand the true essence of remembrance of Allah so that no moment of your life passes in disobedience to Him. The essence of remembrance of Allah is to keep the heart constantly aware of Him. A person may be anywhere, in any condition, but should never be heedless of Allah.
Syed Qutb Shaheed writes:
“To mention Allah’s name does not merely mean repeating His name on the tongue, like counting beads on a rosary. Rather, it means remembering Allah in every moment, in every state, and in every action.”
(Tafsir Fi Zilal Al-Quran, Vol. 17, p. 20)
Maulana Syed Abul A’la Maududi writes about the reality of remembrance of Allah:
“The remembrance of Allah does not mean merely uttering His name with your tongue. The real remembrance of Allah is that even when you are caught up in the affairs of the world, you do not forget Allah. Engage in activities that distract you from Allah and yet remain conscious of Him. Seek His grace and His law’s guidance amid all the attractions, fears, and temptations of the world. This is true remembrance of Allah, referred to in the Quran:
‘And when the prayer is ended, disperse in the land and seek of Allah’s bounty, and remember Allah much, so that you may succeed.’ (Surah Al-Jumu’ah: 10)
(Khutbat, p. 123)
Dr. Hamidullah writes:
“Offering five prayers a day does not mean spending just about 24 minutes out of 24 hours in the remembrance of Allah in the minimum required manner. Rather, a believer should remember Allah at every moment, whether in joy or sorrow, whether working or resting, in every aspect of life.”
(Dr. Hamidullah, Paris, Da’i Islam, translated, p. 94)
Respected teacher, Maulana Muhammad Inayatullah Asad Subhani writes:
“The essence of the remembrance of Allah is that whatever condition you are in, always remember Allah. Whatever work you are doing, do not become heedless of His accountability. Your tongue, your hands, and your feet may be busy in the affairs of the world, but keep the lamps of Allah’s remembrance lit in your heart. When the state of remembrance is achieved, every action becomes an act of worship, every prayer becomes a meeting with Allah, and the work of establishing religion progresses more quickly and efficiently.
This is the essence of remembrance of Allah, and this is its reality. It is essential to understand this reality thoroughly.”
Keep the Lamp of Remembrance of Allah Always Lit
The remembrance of Allah is not a temporary activity but a continuous one. It is the source of life for the heart, faith, words, and actions. It is like a lamp; if its flame dims, the heart becomes lifeless, life becomes chaotic, and a person becomes distant from Allah. Therefore, as we remember Allah during Salah, we must also remember Him outside of Salah. This practice of remembering Allah should be ongoing at every turn of life. Whether in joy or sorrow, hunger or satisfaction, darkness or light, shop or home, market or courthouse, alone or in a gathering, in every condition, we should not forget Allah. Our hearts should never be devoid of the remembrance of Allah, and the lamp of remembrance should always be lit in our hearts. Allah says:
“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance.” (Surah Al-Ahzab: 41)
The Portrait of Those Who Keep the Lamp of Remembrance Lit
Salah is ordained to keep the remembrance of Allah alive so that a person never forgets his Lord. The devoted servants of Allah are those whose hearts and minds are always immersed in the remembrance of Allah. They dedicate their energy and focus to this cause.
They were such devoted people who kept the lamp of Allah’s remembrance lit in every condition. They engaged in farming, trading, and hard labor, but none of these activities distracted them from the remembrance of Allah. The Quran describes them in these words:
“Men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah and performance of prayer and giving of Zakat. They fear a day when hearts and eyes will be overturned.” (Surah An-Nur: 37)
In Sahih Bukhari, Qatada (RA) narrates that these people (the companions) engaged in buying and selling and trading, but when a matter of Allah was presented, they were not distracted from His remembrance and fulfilled it completely.
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Buyuu)
They were such devotees of Allah that whether standing, sitting, or lying down, they were always restless for the remembrance of Allah. The Quran describes their condition as follows:
“Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, saying, ‘Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’” (Surah Al-Imran: 191)
