Title: Regarding the Essence of Dhikr – Remembrance of God Question: I am of the viewpoint that when it is said that for a specific reason (whatsoever) one should recite 3, 5, 7 or more times any particular ayat/surah of the Holy Quran, then for this act to be of utmost effectiveness, this person should at least know and understands the meaning of that surah/ayah, and just repeating the ayah/surah without understanding the meaning of the same would NOT serve the purpose nor would it be affective. Is this view correct? Thanks, Atif Aziz Pakistan Answer: The word Zikr entails that an individual derives contentment from the remembrance of the Lord, be it from his/her tongue or through his/her actions. In other words, being consciously mindful of the omnipresence of Allah and subsequently leading a life of submission to His will characterizes the essence of Zikr . It is inconceivable that one would be effectively able to live a life of submission without an understanding of the directives of God and the spirit these directives seek to infuse. The very purpose of human creation is Iba'dah (worship). The Quran says: I created the jinn and humankind only that they worship Me. (51:56) This Iba'dah is in fact a negation of the abominable traits of arrogance, pride and vanity by humbly submitting one's self to God. It breeds an attitude that is antithetical to satanic recalcitrance of which doom is the only inevitability. Thus lexicographers have generally explicated Iba'dah as humility and meekness. If this realization awakens with the true conception of Mercy, Omnipotence, Providence and Wisdom of God, it results in surrendering one's self to the hilt with immense devotion and fear. It is, in effect, an inner feeling, which actualizes in its ultimate form by consuming the entirety of one's existence. Zikr , along with Shukr (Gratitude), Taqwa (God-Consciousness) and Tawaqqal (Reliance), is the outwardly manifestation of this relationship between the Creator and His creation. Thus says the Quran: Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of God: for without doubt in the remembrance of God do hearts find satisfaction. (13:28) In view of the above, mindlessly uttering some words or verses, while concentrating on a specific count, divorces this exercise from its real purpose. As I see it, the emphasis nowadays has shifted disproportionately towards quantity, albeit at the expense of quality that matters the most in the final analysis. Regards, Razi Allah February 16, 2003