Spectrum of Zikr Not too long ago I thought making Zikr (remembrance) was not my thing... I'll read Quran, pray, and do other good deeds. But I didn't have the attention span for Zikr... and how can I change as I cross into my 40s when my focus is only getting worse. But things changed in a call with a mentor... he was expecting me to make Zikr, and not just a few times, but hundreds and gradually reaching thousands of times! Of course, I told him it's not my forte and not my thing and stated the reasons above... then he responded and I was awestruck. My mentor quoted two ayahs, he said all over the Quran, Allah, exalted is He, refers to Abundance of Zikr 'وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَ

“وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ” (And the men who remember Allah often, and the women who remember Allah often) — Surah Al-Ahzab (33:35)

This morning, while preparing breakfast for my children, a gentle thought crossed my heart: Is there any space for dhikr kathīr in the midst of these household responsibilities?

In reality, dhikr kathīr is not merely the repetition of a few words. It is the remembrance of Allah— a remembrance that begins on the tongue, settles into the heart, and then reveals itself through our actions and conduct.

If I speak honestly, when Ramadan approaches, I too used to think: “The busyness will only increase… suḥūr, ifṭār, children’s school routine

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم … And We will surely test you … With what? … with something of fear and hunger and a loss wealth and of lives and fruits…. وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ …but give good tidings to those who are patient. So, remember that each person will be tested in one way or another through these: ‘مَصَائِب خَمْسَة,’ the five trials, which Allah has already told us about, so we should be prepared. What are these trials? Sometimes there will be fear like that of an enemy, or of what the future holds, of a disease, of loss. The mother of Mūsa عليه السلام feared for the safety of her child; the Banī ’Isrā’īl were afraid when Fir‘awn came from behind them. Sometimes, the

Allah tells us in Surah al-Ahzab, 'For men and women who are devoted to Allah—believing men and women, obedient men and women, truthful men and women, steadfast men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, chaste men and women, men and women who remember Allah often—Allah has prepared forgiveness and a rich reward.' (33:35) In a narration found in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ shared beautiful words with which to remember Allah: 'Reciting these words is more beloved to me than anything over which the sun rises: SubhanAllah, walhamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallahu, wa Allahu Akbar.' How perfect is Allah, all praise is for Allah, there is absolutely