What is dhikr? The remembrance that changes everything
Dhikr is the Islamic practice of remembering Allah through phrases like SubhanAllah and Alhamdulillah. Learn what dhikr means, its benefits in the Quran and Sunnah, and how to build a simple daily dhikr practice.
28 July 2026 · 7 min read · by Muslamica
Dhikr (ذِكْر) literally means remembrance — and in Islam it refers to remembering Allah with the heart and the tongue. It is the quiet engine of a believer's day: phrases like SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), La ilaha illallah (There is no deity but Allah) and Astaghfirullah (I seek Allah's forgiveness), repeated with presence and love.
Unlike acts of worship tied to a time or place, dhikr travels with you — on a commute, in a queue, between meetings, before sleep. It is worship with no minimum, no ritual preparation, and no ceiling.
Dhikr in the Quran
The Quran returns to the remembrance of Allah again and again — as a command, a comfort and a promise:
“Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah — for without doubt, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.”
“So remember Me; I will remember you.”
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described the weight of these light phrases in one of the most famous hadith:
“There are two phrases that are light on the tongue, heavy on the scales, and beloved to the Most Merciful: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil-'Adheem.”
The types of dhikr
- Tasbih — glorifying Allah with SubhanAllah, often counted 33 times after each prayer.
- Tahmid — praising Allah with Alhamdulillah.
- Takbir — magnifying Allah with Allahu Akbar.
- Tahlil — affirming His oneness with La ilaha illallah.
- Istighfar — seeking forgiveness with Astaghfirullah.
- Morning and evening adhkar — the prescribed daily remembrances of protection and gratitude.
How to start a daily dhikr practice
- Start with one phrase. Choose SubhanAllah and aim for 33 a day. Small and consistent beats big and occasional.
- Anchor it to something you already do — right after salah, on your commute, while the kettle boils.
- Count it. A tasbih counter turns a vague intention into a concrete, finishable practice.
- Let it grow. Add a second phrase when the first feels effortless.
This is exactly why we built gardeen — a dhikr app where every SubhanAllah you count grows a living 3D garden. Remembrance becomes something you can see flourish, and the sight of your garden becomes the gentle nudge that brings you back tomorrow.
Frequently asked questions
What does dhikr mean in Islam?
Dhikr means 'remembrance' — the practice of remembering Allah with the heart and tongue through phrases such as SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah and Astaghfirullah, as well as reciting Quran and making dua.
How many times a day should I do dhikr?
There is no upper limit. A beloved sunnah baseline is 33 SubhanAllah, 33 Alhamdulillah and 34 Allahu Akbar after each of the five daily prayers, plus the morning and evening adhkar. Beyond that, the best amount is whatever you can sustain daily.
What is the best dhikr to start with?
SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi is an excellent start — the Prophet ﷺ said whoever says it 100 times a day will have their sins forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea (Bukhari & Muslim).
Can I do dhikr without wudu?
Yes. Dhikr of the tongue and heart does not require wudu, and can be made at any time — sitting, standing, walking or lying down.
Is using a dhikr app allowed?
Counting dhikr on your fingers, on beads, or with a digital counter are all permissible means to the same end. Scholars broadly permit counters and apps — what matters is presence of heart and consistency.