Taken with thanks from Central-Mosque
[13:28] Listen, the hearts find peace only in the remembrance of Allah.
Basic plan for spiritual rejuvenation:
1Just like your body needs food to sustain yourself, your soul needs Dhik'r of Allah (SWT) to sustain itself
2Limit your contact with those who will drag you headlong along the path of sin and vice and seek the company of Scholars, obedient and pious servants of Allah
3Obligatory matters obviously take priority and there is no point in concentrating of optional maters (i.e. making Dhik'r, reading the Qur'aan etc) if the obligatory matters (Salah, fasting, Hijab etc) are being neglected.
4All pathways towards Allah (SWT) and closeness to Him (SWT) are blocked and will end up in a dead-end except through the beloved Sunnah of Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam).
5The priority before making any gains is to stop the loss and adopting Taqwa & avoiding sins is just the tonic and the solution to all problems
6You may get tired of your sins or asking for repentance over and over again but Allah (SWT) will never get tired of forgiving those who seek forgiveness sincerely.
7It may sound obvious but the most important component of a successful recovery program is "establishing" Salah, notice that the words praying is not used rather the emphasis is on "establishing" prayer.
8There is nothing better in getting a person closer to Allah (SWT) or building a relationship with Allah (SWT) then the speech of Allah (SWT) i.e. the Qur’aan
9A daily recitation of Astaghfaar (seeking sincere repentence) should be part of any Dhik’r as our noble and beloved Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) himself used to recite Astghafaar 70 or 100 times daily
10The two magnificent Adhkaar given should be combined to recite (daily):
سُبْحَان اللهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ وَ لآ اِلهَ اِلّا اللّهُ وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّة ِ الَّا بِاللّهِ الْعَلِىّ الْعَظِيْم
11 The superiority of sending Salutations upon Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is evident from the Qur'aan itself where Allah (SWT) declares that Allah (SWT) and the angels send Salutations upon Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)
Today's fast paced technologically advanced world has given us plenty of quick fixes and time saving gadgets, however it has also distanced us from our Creator (SWT) and left us spiritually empty and longing for inner peace and contentment. The materialistic world offers us materialistic choices to fill the spiritual void such as holidays (at exotic locations), time-outs, retreats, new and expensive belongings but the spiritual void remains unfulfilled. It is because Allah (SWT) has clearly declared in the Qur'aan:
أَلَا بِذِڪۡرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ
[13:28] Listen, the hearts find peace only in the remembrance of Allah.
The more we chase the materialistic belongings of this world, the more spiritually unfulfilled we will remain until a time where physically we may be at the peak of our health but spiritually we may just collapse!
Humans: A composite of body and Soul
It is important to understand that humans are composed of outer physical bodies and inner spirit (Rouh). The outer shell (body) is composed of materials from this earth while the inner spirit (Rouh) is not from elements of this earth rather from the command of Allah (SWT). These two components are nourished from the same source from which their initial elements of composition came from. Therefore, the body needs to be sustained and nourished from elements which come from the earth while the spirit (Rouh) body needs to be sustained and nourished from elements which are specifically recommended by Allah (SWT) and Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam). This is the greatest truth which escapes the hearts and minds of those who don't believe in Allah (SWT) and unfortunately Muslims of today are also looking in the wrong place for spiritual nourishment and inner peace and contentment.
وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍ۬ مِّن طِينٍ۬
[23:12] We have created man from an extract of clay.
وَيَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬
[17:85] And they ask you about the soul. Say, .The soul is something from the command of my Lord, and you are not given from the knowledge but a little.
Balanced Diet?
Modern sciences with its materialistic underpinning has devoted itself to the human body has made tremendous strides in keeping the body fit, maintaining it in its optimal condition and repairing it when it falls ill. However, for the most part it has either neglected the spiritual health or paid scant attention to it because it's something science is unable to peek into, measure and quantify.
Islam on the other hand is divinely guided and hence pays equal attention to physical as well as spiritual well being and the concept of "balanced diet" in an Islamic framework means a combination of good wholesome physical as well as spiritual nourishment. For the physical body Muslims are commanded to eat "Halal" and "Tayyab (good, wholesome) food, unfortunately most of us go to great lengths in ensuring that our meat is Halal (Masha'Allah) but pay no attention to the source of the animal and its well being where Allah (SWT) has spoken about "Halal" and "Tayyab (good, wholesome) in the same verse.
وَكُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَـٰلاً۬ طَيِّبً۬اۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤۡمِنُونَ
[5:88] Eat from what Allah has provided you as good and lawful, and fear Allah in whom you believe.
The spiritual food is the Dhik'r of Allah (SWT).
Essential components of a Spiritual Fitness Program and its frequency
The essential components of any physical fitness program/regime is that it has to be continual, gradual and there is no such thing as a one-time one-hit wonder! Unfortunately many Muslims look for a miracle cure (one-time one-hit wonder) to climb out of their spiritual abyss i.e. they look for Adhkaar which they can perform once (or a few times) x number of times whether it may be a certain Durood (salutation upon the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) or a certain verse of the Qur'aan. There is no doubt that sending salutation upon the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)) and verses of the Qur'aan are effective but spiritual degeneration occurs over an extended period of time so repairing it also requires some time and patience. Here are some of the essential components of a spiritual recovery program.
Keeping Good company:
Your companions and your environment will make or break you and there are no two ways about it. If you choose to associate yourself with people who are disobedient towards Allah (SWT) and rebellious towards the noble Sunnah of Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassalam) then sooner or later you will be dragged along with them. Don’t overestimate your powers of resistance and your best of intentions of hanging around “bad company” with the intention of giving Dawah! There is a reason why this point has been placed first on your road to recovery. Limit your contact with those who will drag you headlong along the path of sin and vice and seek the company of Scholars, obedient and pious servants of Allah (SWT) as Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said:
حَدَّثَنِي مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بُرْدَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا بُرْدَةَ بْنَ أَبِي مُوسَى عَنْ أَبِيهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ الصَّالِحِ وَالْجَلِيسِ السَّوْءِ كَمَثَلِ صَاحِبِ الْمِسْكِ وَكِيرِ الْحَدَّادِ لَا يَعْدَمُكَ مِنْ صَاحِبِ الْمِسْكِ إِمَّا تَشْتَرِيهِ أَوْ تَجِدُ رِيحَهُ وَكِيرُ الْحَدَّادِ يُحْرِقُ بَدَنَكَ أَوْ ثَوْبَكَ أَوْ تَجِدُ مِنْهُ رِيحًا خَبِيثَةً
Sayyidina Abu Musa (RA) narrated that Sayydina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: "The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is I like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof." [Bukhari]
Importance of Obligations:
In life there are issues which are required and essential and then there are issues which are optional. Similarly in Islamic Shariah there are matters which are:
1Obligatory
2Optional
Obligatory matters obviously take priority and there is no point in concentrating of optional maters (i.e. making Dhik'r, reading the Qur'aan etc) if the obligatory matters (Salah, fasting, Hijab etc) are being neglected. Concentrating on optional matters while neglecting the obligatory acts will not only not benefit but actually regress a person spiritually as Allah (SWT) has declared in Hadeeth Qudsi:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
" إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَالَ: مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا، فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ، وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدِي بِشَيْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ، فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ، كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ، وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطِشُ بِهَا، وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا، وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِي لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنْ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لَأُعِيذَنَّهُ، وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي عَنْ نَفْسِ عَبْدِي الْمُؤْمِنِ، يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَنَا أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ"
" إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَالَ: مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا، فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ، وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدِي بِشَيْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ، فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ، كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ، وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطِشُ بِهَا، وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا، وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِي لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنْ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لَأُعِيذَنَّهُ، وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي عَنْ نَفْسِ عَبْدِي الْمُؤْمِنِ، يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَنَا أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ"
On the authority of Sayyidinba Abu Hurayrah (RA), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said: "Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him." [Bukhari]
Importance of following the Sunnah:
All pathways towards Allah (SWT) and closeness to Him (SWT) are blocked and will end up in a dead-end except through the beloved Sunnah of Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam). We are unable to summarise this point more succinctly then Imam Malik (RA) who said:
قال الإمام مالك : إن السنة مثل سفينة نوح ، من ركبها نجا ، ومن تخلف عنها غرق
Imam Maalik said: "The Sunnah is like the Noah's Ark, whoever boards it is saved and whoever abandons it is drowned"
All proclamations and assertions of love towards Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) are also false unless the claim passes the test of Allah (SWT) mentioned in the Qur'aan which is:
قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬
[3:31] Say (O Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)): .If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
Any program, plan or method which is contrary to or deviates from Sunnah should be abandoned as a mere exercise in futility!
Abstinence from Sins and adopting Taqwa:
Think of a leaky bucket with a hole at the bottom you can pour as much pure and clean water as you like but it won't get collected because of the leak. You need to plug the hole and then even a little water will collect and bring benefit. The priority before making any gains is to stop the loss and adopting Taqwa & avoiding sins is just the tonic and the solution to all problems as Allah (SWT) has emphatically declared:
. وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مَخۡرَجً۬ا - وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُ
[65:2] Whoever fears Allah, He brings forth a way out for him, [65:3] and provides him (with what he needs) from where he does not even imagine. And whoever places his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him. Surely Allah is to accomplish His purpose. Allah has set a measure for everything.
This is the promise of Allah (SWT), a guarantee and solution to all problems. Taqwa means to avoid the pitfalls (sins and transgressions) of this world as understood by the Sahaba (RA) of Sayydina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)
وقد قيل : إن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه ، سأل أبي بن كعب عن التقوى ، فقال له : أما سلكت طريقا ذا شوك ؟ قال : بلى قال : فما عملت ؟ قال : شمرت واجتهدت ، قال : فذلك التقوى
Sayyidina Umar (RA) asked Sayyidina Ubbay ibn Ka’ab (RA) regarding Taqwa. Sayyidina Ubbay ibn Ka’ab (RA) replied, “Have you not traversed a path possessing thorns?” Sayyidina Umar (RA) said, “Of course!” Sayyidina Ubbay ibn Ka’ab (RA) then asked, “So how did you act?” Sayyidina Umar (RA) replied, “I lifted up my clothes and exerted myself (with care in avoding the thorns),” Sayyidina Ubbay ibn Ka’ab (RA) said, “So, That is Taqwa.” [Ibn Katheer, [2:2]]
Repentance: Easy pathway to Allah (SWT)
You may get tired of your sins or asking for repentance over and over again but Allah (SWT) will never get tired of forgiving those who seek forgiveness sincerely. Do not make the mistake of judging Allah (SWT)'s Mercy by your standards, it extends to everything.
وَٱڪۡتُبۡ لَنَا فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةً۬ وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَۚ قَالَ عَذَابِىٓ أُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَنۡ أَشَآءُۖ وَرَحۡمَتِى وَسِعَتۡ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ۬ۚ
[7:156] And write for us good in this world and in the Hereafter. We turn to You in repentance.. He (Allah) said, .As for My punishment, I afflict with it whom I will. And My mercy extends to everything.
So Allah (SWT)'s Mercy prevails over Allah (SWT)'s wrath.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " لَمَّا قَضَى اللَّهُ الْخَلْقَ، كَتَبَ فِي كِتَابِهِ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ، فَهُوَ مَوْضُوعٌ عِنْدَهُ: إِنَّ رَحْمَتِي تَغْلِبُ غَضَبِي"
On the authority of Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah (RA), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "When Allah decreed the Creation He pledged Himself by writing in His book which is laid down with Him: 'My mercy prevails over my wrath.'" [Muslim]
Imam Nawawi (RA) has written the following four (4) preconditions for repentance:
1The first is that one divest himself of disobedience.
2The second is that he regret doing it.
3The third is that he resolve not to ever return to it.
If one of the three is lacking, then his repentance is not sound.
4If it involves to another human being, repentance has four preconditions: these three and that he discharges his duty to the other person.
Fulfil the preconditions and move on in life instead of dwelling over the sin. If (by mistake) the sin occurs again because of weak human nature then repent again because Allah (SWT) loves those who repent.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٲبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
[2:222] Surely Allah loves those who are most repenting, and loves those who keep themselves pure.
Daily Regiment of Salah:
It may sound obvious but the most important component of a successful recovery program is "establishing" Salah, notice that the words praying is not used rather the emphasis is on "establishing" prayer. Spiritually fulfilling and uplifting Salah has many components:
إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتۡ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ كِتَـٰبً۬ا مَّوۡقُوتً۬ا
[4:103] Salah is an obligation on the believers that is tied up with time.
It's done with due care and attention and not out of carelessness and a matter of routine. In fact those who are careless about their Salah are rebuked in the Qur'aan, here neglect is synonymous with carelessness
فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلۡمُصَلِّينَ - ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَن صَلَاتِہِمۡ سَاهُونَ
[107:4] So, Woe to those performers of Salah , [107:5] who are neglectful of their Salah,
Wudhu is done properly with its conditions and Sunnah and not rushed to merely sprinkle some limbs with water and sprinkle water on others.
عن حمران فلما توضأ عثمان قال ألا أحدثكم حديثا لولا آية ما حدثتكموه سمعت النبي يقول: لا يتوضأ رجل يحسن وضوءه ويصلي الصلاة إلا غفر له ما بينه وبين الصلاة حتى يصليها
Narrated Humran: (the slave of 'Uthman) ..After performing the ablution 'Uthman said, " I heard the Prophet saying, 'If a man performs ablution perfectly and then offers the compulsory congregational prayer, Allah will forgive his sins committed between that (prayer) and the (next) prayer till he offers it. [Bukhari]
Don't just stick to their obligatory prayers but also perform their Sunnah prayers:
Men have to perform their Salah as much as possible with congregation
وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرۡكَعُواْ مَعَ ٱلرَّٲكِعِينَ
[2:43] And be steadfast in Salah (prayer), and pay Zakah, and bow down with those who bow down.
عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال { صلاة الجماعة أفضل من صلاة الفذ بسبع وعشرين درجة
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar (RA): Allah's Apostle (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, "The prayer in congregation is twenty seven times superior to the prayer offered by person alone." [Bukhari]
Daily (Morning) recitation of the Qur'aan:
There is nothing better in getting a person closer to Allah (SWT) or building a relationship with Allah (SWT) then the speech of Allah (SWT) i.e. the Qur’aan
وعن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال " يقول الله سبحانه وتعالى من شغله القرآن وذكري عن مسألتي أعطيته أفضل ما أعطي السائلين وفضل كلام الله سبحانه وتعالى عن سائر الكلام كفضل الله تعالى على خلقه
Abu Sa'eed radia Allahu Anhu narrated that the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Allah the Most High says, 'When engrossment with the Qur'aan preoccupies a person from making Dhikr and asking from me, I grant him better than what I grant to those who ask from Me.' The Rank of the Word of Allah over other forms of speech is like the rank of Allah over all His creation." [Tirmidhi, ad-Daarimi and al-Bayhaqi]
It is ideal to recite the Qur'aan in the morning but any time can be set aside which is convenient and any amount which is easily read can be set.
أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمۡسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَقُرۡءَانَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِۖ إِنَّ قُرۡءَانَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ كَانَ مَشۡہُودً۬ا
[17:78] (O Prophet,) establish Salah between the decline of the sun and the darkness of the night, and (establish) the recital at dawn. Surely, the recital at dawn is well attended.
Ideal time for daily Dhik'r?
The ideal time of making Dhik’r is in the morning and in the evening as recommended by Allah (SWT), however any time of convenience can be chosen.
وَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ قَبۡلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمۡسِ وَقَبۡلَ غُرُوبِہَاۖ
[20:130] and proclaim the purity and praise of your Lord before sunrise and before sunset.
وَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡعَشِىِّ وَٱلۡإِبۡڪَـٰرِ
[40:55]..and proclaim the purity and praise of your Lord in the afternoon and at dawn.
Ideal method for daily Dhik'r?
The method of making Dhik’r is to make the Dhik’r silently and not to raise the voice as commanded by Allah (SWT).
ٱدۡعُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ تَضَرُّعً۬ا وَخُفۡيَةًۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدِينَ
[7:55] Supplicate to your Lord humbly and secretly. Surely, He does not like those who cross the limits.
وَٱذۡكُر رَّبَّكَ فِى نَفۡسِكَ تَضَرُّعً۬ا وَخِيفَةً۬ وَدُونَ ٱلۡجَهۡرِ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ بِٱلۡغُدُوِّ وَٱلۡأَصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡغَـٰفِلِينَ
[7:205] Remember your Lord in your heart with humility and awe, and without speaking loudly, in mornings and evenings, and do not be among the heedless.
Daily Astaghfaar:
A daily recitation of Astaghfaar (seeking sincere repentence) should be part of any Dhik’r as our noble and beloved Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) himself used to recite Astghafaar 70 or 100 times daily and this should be done with sincerity while turning to Allah (SWT), being genuinely remorseful over our sins.
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "والله إني لأستغفر الله وأتوب إليه في اليوم أكثر
من سبعين مرة "
Sayyidina Abu Hurayra (RA) said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'By Allah, I ask Allah's forgiveness and turn towards Him in repentance more than seventy times a day." [Bukhari]
وعن الأغر بن يسار المزنى رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: " ياأيها الناس توبوا إلى الله واستغفروه فإنى أتوب في اليوم مائه مرة"
Sayyidina Al-Agharr ibn Yasar al-Muzani said that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "O people! Turn in repentance towards Allah and ask His forgiveness. I turn towards Him a hundred times a day."[Muslim]
Four Special Kalimaat to recite:
These four special Kalimat (known as 3rd Kalima amongst Indian/Pakistanees) are a special blessing from Allah (SWT) should be recited daily.
عن سمرة بن جندب ـ رضي الله عنه ـ عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:أفضل الكلام بعد القرآن أربع، وهي من القرآن لا يضرك بأيهن بدأت: سبحان الله، والحمد لله، ولا إله إلا الله والله أكبر
Sayyidina Samurah ibn Jundub (RA) narrated that Sayydina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: The Best Kalimat after the Qur’aan are four and they are from the Qur’aan and you will not be harmed no matter which ones you begin with:
1Subhanullah
2Wal-Hamdulillah
3Wala Ilaaha Illallah
4Wallahu Akbar
[Muslim]
Beautiful and effective edition to these four (4) Kalimaat for depression, anxiety and worry
حدثنا محمد بن النضر الأزدي قال : حدثنا خالد بن خداش قال : حدثنا عبدالرزاق ، قال : حدثني بشر بن رافع الحارثي عن محمد بن عجلان عن أبيه عن أبي هريرة قال : قال رسول الله (( لا حول ولا قوة الا بالله دواء من تسعة وتسعين داء أيسرها الهم
Sayyidina Abi Hurairah (RA) narrated that Sayydina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: La Hawla Wala Quwwata Illa Billah is a remedy for 99 diseases, the least of which is depression. [Tabarani]
Combined Dhik'r of Best Dhikr added with Hawqala:
The two magnificient Adhkaar given should be combined to recite (daily):
سُبْحَان اللهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ وَ لآ اِلهَ اِلّا اللّهُ وَ اللّهُ اَكْبَرُ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّة ِ الَّا بِاللّهِ الْعَلِىّ الْعَظِيْم
Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-ʿaliyyi-l-ʿadheem
Flawless is Allah and the Praise is of Allah, and (there is) no god except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. And (there is) neither might nor power except with Allah, the Sublime, the Tremendous.
Salutations upon the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam): Inviting Mercy & Blessings of Allah (SWT)
The superiority of sending Salutations upon Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is evident from the Qur'aan itself where Allah (SWT) declares that Allah (SWT) and the angels send Salutations upon Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) :
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا
[33:56] Surely, Allah and His angels send blessings to the Prophet. O you who believe, do pray Allah to bless him, and send your Salam (prayer for his being in peace) to him in abundance.
عَنْ أَنَسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ قَالَ مَنْ ذُآِرْتُ عِنْدَهُ فَلْيُصَلِّ عَلَيَّ و َمَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ مَرَّةً صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرًا وفي رواية مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَوةً وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرَ صَلَوَاتٍ وَّحَطَّ عَنْهُ عَشْرَ سَيِّئَاتٍ وَّرَفَعَهُ بِهَا عَشْرَ دَرَجَاتٍ
Sayyidina Abi Hurairah (RA) narrated that Sayydina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: “The person in whose presence I am mentioned should confer blessings upon me. Whoever confers blessings upon me once, Allāh confers ten blessings upon him.” In one narration, Sayydina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, “Whoever confers one blessing upon me, Allāh confers ten blessings upon him, forgives ten of his sins and elevates his status tenfold.” [Ahmed, Nisa'i, Ibn Hibaan]
There is no specific Salutation (or Durud or Salat Alan-Nabi) to recite, anyone with any specific number can be recited with the shortest one being:
صلي الله علي سيدنا محمد
Sallalaho Ala Sayyidina Muhammad (Saallaho Alaihe Wassallam)
O Allah (SWT), send Salutations upon our Master Muhammad (Saallaho Alaihe Wassallam)
