Remembrance of Allah — Page 43
Methods of Performing Dhikr 43 the translation of the Holy Quran. Nevertheless, if one does not know the entire translation, the translation of some portion of the Holy Quran may be learnt and when the daily recitation is done, that portion of which the translation is known may be recited as well. Someone may ask: ‘What is the benefit of reciting the parts which we do not understand?’ Regarding this, remember that when something is done with sincerity and good intention, Allah definitely rewards it. If you recite for the sake of God without knowing the meanings, He will certainly bless you because of your sincerity. Moreover, it is also true that mere words have their effect as well. Note how the Holy Prophet s as has commanded that the Adh a n [Call for Prayer] be recited in the ears of a newborn child. Even though the child is unable to know or understand any- thing at that time, according to the saying, ‘What is given is put to use’, he is undoubtedly influenced by the words of the Adh a n. Other Forms of Apart from the recitation of the Holy Quran, other forms of dhikr consist of tasb ih [expressing glory of God by reciting Sub ha nall a h (Holy is Allah)] and ta h m i d [praising Allah by recit- ing Al h amdulill a h (All praise belongs to Allah)] that one can per- form while sitting alone or in company. One type of such dhikr is also obligatory, like saying the takb i r [reciting Allah u Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)] while slaughtering an animal. If the takb i r is not proclaimed at that time, eating that