ZIKR: The Remembrance of ALLAH

ZIKR: The Remembrance of ALLAH

"And invoke the name of thy Lord and leave every concern and remain attentive to Him."
(Surah 73, Ayah 8)

Method of Zikr in Naqshbandiyya-Owaisiyya -as an example-
Or method is called Pas-an-Fas, which in Persian means guarding every breath. This zikr is performed with the heart through breathing. If not carried out attentively and vigorously, the normal achievement of one day might take many years.
The method is very simple. Sit down facing the Qiblah, fully attentive toward ALLAH and close your eyes. Start the zikr after reciting the Taawuz(a’uuzu bi Allahi min al shaitan al rajim) and Tasmiah (bism Allah al Rahman al Rahim). When you breathe in, concentrate on letting the word ALLAH penetrate the depths of your heart so that it calls out "ALLAH" when you breathe out, the pronoun for Allah, namely "Hu," again uttered by the Qalb, is carried by the breath to strike the lateefa for which the zikr is being performed. Zikr of suitable duration should be made for each lateefa. When all seven lataaif have been covered, return to the Qalb. After a few more breaths, start the meditation. The body should now be relaxed and the mind set at ease, while breathing outwards (Exhaling) "Hu" strikes His Sublime Throne. This illuminates the path for the Ruh facilitating its flight toward ALLAH in subsequent meditation.
Remember that progress will not be made without the attention of the Shaikh because the Baraka leading one along the Sufi path is transmitted only through him. The Companions attained this from the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and transmitted it to the Tab’ain, who in turn passed it on to the Tb Tab’ain. the Aulia (sing. Wail or friend of Allah or saint) acquired this wealth of Baraka from them and it has been transferred through the generations from one person to another. ALLAH willing, this process will continue forever, and every believer, whether male or female, scholar or uneducated, rich or poor can acquire this Baraka. The only prerequisites are sound beliefs and sincerity to the efforts are in religious propagation though literature or by word of mouth, no positive change in life can be realized without Baraka. Zikr, invokes Baraka, and this in turn transforms the heart and initiates the journey from vice to virtue toward perfect goodness.
The Daily Awrad (Spiritual Practices) of the Initiate in Naqshbandiyya -as an example-
a) shahada three times [ash-hadu an La ilaha illAllah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan cabduhu wa rasuluh];
b) "Astaghfirullah" 25 times;
c) Fatiha one time with the intention of participating in the blessings sent down with it when it was revealed in Makkah.
d) Ikhlas (Surat 112) 11 times;
e) Falaq (Surat 113) 1 time;
f) Nas (Surat 114) 1 time;
g) La ilaha illAllah 10 times, the last time completing it with Mu ammadun Rasulullah.
h) Salawat ash-sharifa 10 times [Allahumma Salli cala Muhammadin wa cala ali Muhammadin wa Sallim];
i) "ihda'," that is, presenting the reward of the above recitation to the Prophet (s) and to the Shaykhs of the Naqshbandi Tariqat;
j) wrapping it up with Fatiha, with the intention of sharing in the Divine Graces and tajalli which were sent down when it was revealed in Madinah the second time.
k) Dhikr of the Glorious Name 'Allah' 1500 times;
l) Salawat [same as (h)] 100 times; 300 times on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
m) one-thirtieth (juz') of the Qur'an, or instead Ikhlas 100 times;
n) one chapter of Dala'il al-Khairat or instead Salawat 100 times.