Ramadan is about remembering Allah. Remembrance of Allah (also known as dhikr) extends beyond the obligatory prayers to remembering Him at other times when walking, driving, sitting, laying down, etc. The benefits for reciting azkar are numerous, but suffice it to remind ourselves, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you of the best of your deeds, the most pleasing to your Sovereign, those that raise you most in status, and that are better than your giving gold and silver, …” They said: “Yes,” He said: “Remembrance of Allah (dhikr), may He be exalted.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (3373) and Ibn Maajah (3790); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.
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While attaining the discipline to attend five obligatory prayers may be more common, many of us need to strive further to remember Allah outside those prescribed prayer times. It may be difficult at first to put that discipline in action. The prophet (SAWS) through his hadith has prescribed numerous prayers (about praising Allah and seeking forgiveness) that we should recite during the day – outside the prescribed prayer times. But the point is to adopt a discipline to remember Allah through saying of those salutations in the various pockets that we find during the day.
Scholars have said repeatedly that the best form of remembrance is the Quran and the best way to remember Allah is through your salat. It is very simple, in your two rakat of nafil, you can explore and combine all kinds of azkar in your salat. In your salat, you have Takbir, Tasbeeh, Istigfar including salawat; then you recite the Quran, a book full of all kinds of remembrance of Allah. In your salat, you can stand for so long reciting the Quran, just as you can make your dua in your sujud as long as possible. (Note that you don’t recite Quran in sujud). The most important thing in this is that let your heart be present in your recitation and your dua, that is only when if you prolong it, it will have considerable meaning in your life.
