Let’s be honest, life gets busy. Between work, family, and the never-ending list of our daily activities, finding time to sit quietly and make adhkar often feels like a fierce battle. You might start your day with the best of intentions, planning to create a few moments to make your adhkar (remember Allah), but before you know it, the day slips away, and that precious time for dhikr is nowhere to be found.
I remember when a parent complained about her struggle with making adhkar a consistent habit. She said, “I would start the day with a plan to do my morning dhikr, but then the kids would wake up, breakfast needed to be made, and by the time I realized it, the day was over. I felt so guilty, but I just couldn’t seem to make it work.” Does that sound familiar?
Of course Yes. This story resonates with many of us. We know the importance of dhikr—the peace it brings, the connection it fosters with Allah, and the growth it cultivates—but the challenge lies in making it a consistent part of our daily routine. The good news is, with a few practical tips and a little bit of dedication, it’s entirely possible to make adhkar a consistent habit.
Understanding the Importance of Consistency in Adhkar
Developing a consistent practice of adhkar is more than just a routine — it’s a spiritual journey that brings great rewards, strengthens your connection with Allah, and nurtures your mental well-being.
One of the most compelling reasons to make adhkar a consistent habit is the incredible rewards promised by Allah. The Qur’an and Hadith are rich with references to the blessings that come from regular remembrance of Allah. For instance, Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Remember Me, and I will remember you.” (Quran 2:152).
Allah”s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said in a hadith recorder in Sahih Bukhari that:
Allah the Exalted said, `O son of Adam! If you remember Me to yourself, I will remember you to Myself. If you mention Me in a gathering, I will mention you in a gathering of the angels (or said in a better gathering). If you draw closer to Me by a hand span, I will draw closer to you by forearm”s length. If you draw closer to Me by a forearm”s length, I will draw closer to you by an arm”s length. And if you come to Me walking, I will come to you running. (Sahih Bukhari)
It’s like a good deal, right? You remember Him, He remembers you. How sweet is that? How much of our remembrance can equate to Allah remembering us? No amount wallohi! This means that as Allah is remembering us in a better gathering, we are becoming beloved to Him. And once we are able to reach this stage, by His mercy, He, Allah will always protect us.
“O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance.” (Qur’an 33:41)
It helps to build a Strong Connection with Allah
Think about it this way: when you frequently do your adhkar, you call upon Allah, you’re essentially opening the doors of your heart for His mercy and guidance to enter. Through consistent dhikr, you develop a sense of closeness to Allah. You begin to feel His presence in every moment of your life, whether you’re facing challenges or experiencing joy.
This connection nurtures a sense of peace and contentment, knowing that Allah is always near, listening to your every invocation. It’s like planting seeds in your soul — each time you mention Allah’s name, it nurtures these seeds, helping them grow into a strong, flourishing tree of iman (faith).
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “
The example of the one who remembers his Lord in comparison to the one who does not remember his Lord is that of the living and the dead.” (Sahih Bukhari).
This hadith will let you that consistent dhikr keeps your soul alive, vibrant, and constantly connected to your Creator. Regular adhkar isn’t just about uttering words; It’s like maintaining a close friendship with Allah —and constant communication strengthens the bond.
The Psychological Benefits For Those Who Make Adhkar a Consistent Habit
Beyond the spiritual rewards, consistent dhikr offers a lot of psychological benefits. In today’s fast-paced world, where anxiety and stress are common counterparts, making dhikr serves as a powerful antidote. The act of engaging in dhikr — whether it’s repeating the names of Allah, reciting short adhkar, or reading the Quran has a calming effect on the mind.
When you make adhkar a consistent habit as part of your daily activities, there’s less room for worry and despair to take over you. Instead, you fill your mind with thoughts of Allah’s mercy, power, and love, which in turn fosters a more positive outlook on life. You’re essentially giving your mind a break from the endless stream of worries and distractions. It’s a moment to pause, breathe, and center yourself.
Research even supports this — studies have shown that mindfulness practices, which include repetitive prayer or meditation, can significantly reduce anxiety and improve overall mental well-being. Dhikr, being a form of mindfulness, works better than this because it is also a form of worship.
By consistently engaging in dhikr, you’re training your mind to focus on the present moment and the remembrance of Allah, which naturally brings about a sense of peace. In essence, making adhkar a consistent habit not only enriches your spiritual life but also serves as a powerful tool for maintaining mental and emotional well-being.
Adhkar also helps you develop patience and gratitude. It’s easy to get caught up in what you don’t have or what you have lost, but dhikr reminds you of Allah’s blessings. It’s like putting on gratitude glasses. You start to see the good in every situation. It’s a practice that nourishes both the soul and the mind, helping you navigate the complexities of life with a calm heart and a strong connection to Allah.
Overcoming Common Challenges in Establishing an Adhkar Habit
While the benefits of making adhkar a consistent habit are clear, many of us still struggle to establish this practice in our daily lives. It’s easy to have the intention, but putting it into action consistently can be a different story. Let’s explore some common challenges that we face when trying to maintain a regular dhikr practice and practical solutions to overcome them.
Challenge 1: Forgetting to Do Our Adhkar
Forgetting to do adhkar is probably one of the most common challenges we face. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy for dhikr to slip your mind, even if you genuinely want to make it a part of your routine. But there are effective ways to counter this tendency.
Solution: One practical approach is to incorporate reminders into your daily life. For example, you can set up alarms or notifications on your phone at specific times of the day as a gentle nudge to pause and engage in dhikr. There are also various Islamic apps designed specifically to help with adhkar tracking. DeenMinder App is a good one to use. This app does not only remind you to do dhikr but also ensures you’re consistent.
Another simple yet effective method is to tie dhikr to specific daily activities. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised us to remember Allah in all situations, and one way to do this is by linking dhikr to our routine.
For instance, make it a habit to say your morning adhkar right after Fajr prayer, or recite dhikr while working or doing household chores. By integrating dhikr into these activities, it becomes a seamless part of your day, making it harder to forget.
An example of a short one is the one that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us. He said, “Whoever says SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi (Glory is to Allah and praise is to Him) one hundred times a day, his sins will be wiped away, even if they are like the foam of the sea.” (Sahih Bukhari).
Simple, short adhkar like this can be easily remembered and repeated throughout the day, helping you to make adhkar a consistent habit.
Challenge 2: Lack of Time
In this world we are living now, finding time for everything on your to-do list can be challenging, and sadly, practices like dhikr often get pushed to the backburner(deferred). However, the beauty of adhkar is that it doesn’t require large chunks of time—it can be done almost anywhere and at any time.
Solution: The key is to incorporate dhikr into various parts of your day. For example, you can recite adhkar while you’re stuck in traffic, waiting in line, or even while working, except when your are in a toilet. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
“The dearest words to Allah are four: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar. There is no harm in which you begin with.” (Sahih Muslim).
These short ones can be easily recited during any of these daily tasks, in order to improve on how you can make adhkar a consistent habit.
Another effective strategy that can help you make adhkar a consistent habit is to combine it with other acts of worship. For instance, make sure that you recite your adhkar after your daily Salah no matter how small you are able to.
After each prayer, spend a few extra minutes reciting SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar thirty-three times each, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recommended. As soon as you are consistent on this, you can increase by adding others to it. This not only helps you stay consistent but also adds extra spiritual rewards to your prayers.
If you’re a parent, consider incorporating dhikr into your family routine. For example, you can do morning and evening adhkar together with your children, turning it into a family activity. This way, you’re not only making time for dhikr but also teaching your children the importance of remembering Allah regularly.
Challenge 3: Staying Motivated
Starting a dhikr habit is one thing, but staying motivated to keep it going is another. It’s common to find your enthusiasm waning after a while. However, with the right mindset and tools, you can keep the momentum going.
Solution: The first step to keep it going and staying motivated is to continuously renew your intention (niyyah). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
“Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.” (Sahih Bukhari).
Remind yourself regularly of why you’re engaging in dhikr — whether it’s to draw closer to Allah, seek His forgiveness, or simply to find peace and contentment. By focusing on your intention, you keep the purpose of dhikr front and center, which helps to sustain your motivation and keep it ongoing.
Another solution is to start small and build gradually: Remember that marathon runners didn’t start by running 26 miles. They started with a jog around the block. The same goes for adhkar. Maybe just a few short adhkar to begin with. When it comes to establishing any new habit, it’s important to start small and gradually build up.
Often, we’re tempted to take on too much at once, only to find ourselves overwhelmed and eventually giving up. Instead, begin with a manageable amount of dhikr that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised us to adopt this gradual approach in all aspects of worship. He said,
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are done consistently, even if they are few.” (Sahih Bukhari).
Starting with small, shorter adhkar first to set a strong foundation for a lasting habit. As this small practice becomes your second nature, you can slowly increase the amount of adhkar you perform each day. Over time, you’ll find that what started as a modest effort has blossomed into a rich, daily practice that brings you closer to Allah.
Lastly: Use Technology to Your Advantage
In today’s digital age, technology can be a powerful tool to help you stay consistent with your adhkar. There are numerous apps specifically designed to assist with dhikr tracking and reminders, making it easier than ever to incorporate this practice into your daily life.
One of the best available apps that offers features like customizable reminders, daily dhikr goals, and adhkar tracking progress is DeenMinder App. It does not only provide adhkar reminders but also includes a wide range of supplications from the Qur’an and Hadith, helping you expand your knowledge and practice. This app can serve as a convenient companion, nudging you to remember Allah throughout the day.
Beyond DeenMinder app, you can also use your phone’s alarm or reminder function to prompt you to engage in adhkar at specific times. Setting up reminders for morning and evening adhkar, or for specific times like after prayers, can help you stay consistent even on busy days. By leveraging these technologies, you can seamlessly integrate adhkar into your daily routine without having to rely solely on memory.
So far, we’ve covered a lot of ground. Remember that making adhkar a habit is not about perfection, it’s about progress. It’s about taking small steps no matter how small and later increasing them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“The reward of deeds depends upon the intention.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are done consistently, even if they are few.” (Sahih Bukhari).
So, let your intention be pure, start gradually and consistently, and Allah will reward you accordingly.
Now, it’s time to take action. Follow these few tips and start implementing them today. Remember, consistency is key. Even a few minutes of dhikr can make a difference. The rewards of a consistent adhkar practice are immense. You’ll experience inner peace, a stronger connection with Allah, and a positive impact on your overall well-being. So, let’s work on how to make adhkar a consistent habit in our daily lives.
As we conclude, let’s reflect on a beautiful verse from the Quran:
“And remember your Lord within yourself humbly and with fear, and with subdued speech in the mornings and evenings, and be not of the heedless.” (Quran 7:205).
This verse focuses on the essence of adhkar. It’s a reminder to remember Allah with humility, fear, and reverence. You can download the DeenMinder App on Google Play or Softonic Store and App Store as your adhkar companion device.
May Allah make it easy for us to establish a consistent adhkar practice. May He grant us the strength and perseverance to overcome our daily challenges. And may He shower us with His blessings and mercy. Aameen.
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