Zikr-e-Qalbi (Remembrance of Allah by Heart)

We are commanded by our 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 to seek His guidance by turning to Him five times a day. In every prayer and in every rakah, we are obliged to recite Surah Al-Fatiha, the chapter that begins with Allah’s blessed name and His most exalted attributes, including Ar-Rahman (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥), Ar-Raheem (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥), Rabb (𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝/𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫), and Maalik (𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫) or Malik (𝐒𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧).

In the middle of this Surah, we declare our exclusive devotion to Him, affirming that we seek help from none but Him. We supplicate for guidance toward As-Sirat al-Mustaqeem - 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡; Sirat al-ladhina an‘amta ‘alayhim - 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡’𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬; Ghairil magdube 'alayhim - 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡; Waladwalleen - 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲. Immediately after this supplication, we begin reciting another portion of the Quran in our Salah.

Remarkably, the supplication in Surah Al-Fatiha is answered right at the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah, where Allah defines As-Sirat al-Mustaqeem as "Dhalik al-Kitab, that Book (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) about which there is no doubt," a guidance (Hidayah) specifically for the Muttaqeen - the righteous and God-conscious. It is evident that this guidance is exclusively for those who are mindful of their Creator, those who seek the truth, strive to avoid wrongdoing by choosing righteous actions, and willingly submit to their Creator. This connects directly with the verse in Surah Al-Fatiha: Sirat al-ladhina an‘amta ‘alayhim - the path of those whom Allah has blessed. These Muttaqeen recognize divine guidance, which has been revealed progressively and finalized in the Quran.

[It is important to understand that while most Mufassirun interpret Dhalik al-Kitab in Surah Al-Baqarah as referring specifically to the Quran, the Arabic linguistic structure of Dhalik (ذلك) typically denotes something distant rather than near. This suggests that the reference is not solely to the Quran but rather to all the divinely revealed scriptures, which ultimately originate from Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet or the Source Book). All the books sent by Allah are manifestations of this eternal and unalterable source of divine knowledge.]

Allah further describes these people as those who believe in the unseen - acknowledging the hidden reality that 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑮𝑶𝑶𝑫 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅, 𝘼𝒍𝙡𝒂𝙝 𝙞𝒔 𝒑𝙧𝒆𝙨𝒆𝙣𝒕. They establish Salah, spend from what they have been given, believe in the revelation sent to the final Prophet as well as those before him, and are certain of the consequences of their deeds.

The next verses of Surah Al-Baqarah define those who have chosen the path of Allah’s wrath: 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡, rendering them incapable of receiving DIVINE guidance - whether they are warned or not. Then, there are those who have gone astray: the hypocrites who claim faith in Allah and the Last Day, yet their actions contradict their professed faith. These individuals create their own ideologies, selectively accepting and rejecting divine revelation, thus remaining lost in their self-imposed darkness with no return to faith.

We are commanded by Allah to seek His help through Surah Al-Fatiha throughout the day. To truly benefit from this supplication, we must deeply reflect on every verse of the Quran to understand the divine truth.

In our modern era, we witness a vast majority who are blind to the truth, as if the divine seal has already been placed upon their hearts, eyes, and ears. Likewise, hypocrisy is rampant in almost every faith, with 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒇𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔 while secretly rejecting the truth of totality. Let us sincerely ask Allah to protect us from becoming such people.

May Allah bless the reader of this post with Noor, the Divine Light that unveils reality and enables the heart to recognize the truth. Ameen :)

:)

The failure of most people to recognize Islam as the eternal truth revealed through Prophet Muhammad (prayer & peace be upon him) stems from a combination of distractions, delusions, and a lack of introspection. In our time, many are deeply engrossed in unverifiable gossip and superficial narratives, rarely pausing to ponder the deeper questions of existence or re-examine the beliefs instilled in them during childhood. This delusion is not exclusive to non-Muslims; even many Muslims are caught up in similar distractions and unfounded assumptions about their faith. A common misconception among some is that mere birth into a Muslim family or passive belief without action will secure a higher rank with Allah. This notion is fundamentally flawed. Allah has created the universe with a clear purpose, and humanity is entrusted with the responsibility to seek understanding of their existence and their Creator. The path to fulfillment lies in correctly approaching life and acknowledging the Creator's guidance. When one sincerely reflects on the universe, its intricate design, and their own existence, they are led to the undeniable conclusion that Islam is the eternal truth, divinely commanded for all of humanity.

However, recognition of this truth requires adherence to God's laws and regulations. Without this, one cannot rightfully expect reward, as God's justice holds individuals accountable for their choices. Those who ignore His guidance are subject to consequences, as prescribed by His divine law.

The unfortunate reality is that many people lack the time, or the willingness, to reflect on their sudden emergence into existence and their inevitable departure. It is this negligence and lack of contemplation that prevents them from recognizing the truth and purpose of Islam. Only through sincere introspection and a correct approach to understanding life and its Creator can one grasp the eternal truth of Islam...