The Shahada in the believer’s life

Daily Dhikr

Dhikr: Definition

Dhikr means “the remembrance of Allah.”

It is to mention Him with the tongue, keep Him present in the heart, and direct one’s actions toward Him.

It accompanies every moment of life.

Among the greatest forms of remembrance is the Shahāda: Lā ilāha illā Allāh, which renews faith and keeps the heart alive.

✦

Hadith 1

✦

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“The words most beloved to Allah are four:

SubḥānAllāh,

Al-ḥamdu liLlāh,

Lā ilāha illā Allāh,

Allāhu Akbar.

It does not matter which one you begin with.”

(Muslim)

Context:

This hadith places Lā ilāha illā Allāh among the most beloved words to Allah.

It is not reserved for solemn moments only:

it is meant to accompany the tongue and the heart,

in the simplicity of everyday life.

✦

Hadith 2

✦

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“The best of deeds is faith in Allah.”

(Bukhārī, Muslim)

Context:

This statement shows that faith is not merely an initial state.

It is a living action, renewed every day.

Saying Lā ilāha illā Allāh means keeping this faith alive in the present moment.

✦

Hadith 3

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“The example of the one who remembers his Lord

and the one who does not remember Him

is like that of the living and the dead.”

(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)

Context:

The remembrance of Allah is the life of the heart.

Without dhikr, the heart fades.

The Shahada is among the most powerful remembrances:

it keeps the soul awake, alive, and present.

✦

Hadith 4

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Renew your faith.”

They asked:

“How do we renew our faith, O Messenger of Allah?”

He replied:

“Say often:

Lā ilāha illā Allāh.”

(Reported by Musnad Aḥmad and al-Ṭabarānī, authenticated by several scholars)

Context:

The Shahada is not only the word of the beginning or the end.

It is also the word of daily life:

the one that revives faith in ordinary moments.

Faith is not fixed.

It is renewed.

And that renewal comes through a simple phrase:

Lā ilāha illā Allāh.

✦

Hadith 5

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Whoever says:

SubḥānAllāh,

Al-ḥamdu liLlāh,

Lā ilāha illā Allāh,

Allāhu Akbar,

a tree is planted for him in Paradise for each of these words.”

(Reported by Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī, graded ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ)

Context:

Each dhikr is not merely a word.

It is a planting.

Among these words, Lā ilāha illā Allāh is the greatest:

it plants, it purifies, it builds.

With every repetition, your eternal garden grows.

════════════════════════════

What is a Muslim’s daily life like?

Saying the Shahada is not merely words spoken by the tongue.

It is a commitment.

A direction for life.

A way of learning, working, traveling, loving, helping, and smiling.

The Shahada purifies the heart.

And a purified heart transforms one’s actions.

Islam is not limited to remembrance alone.

It is visible in everyday behavior.

This is how faith becomes a way of living.

✦

Hadith 1

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Whoever follows a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.

Indeed, the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge out of pleasure with what he does.

And indeed, all those in the heavens and the earth ask forgiveness for the scholar, even the fish in the water.”

(Reported by Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī, authenticated)

Context:

Knowledge is an act of worship.

Every step toward learning is a step toward Paradise.

Even the angels honor the one who learns for Allah.

The Shahāda enlightens the heart, and knowledge enlightens the path.

✦

Hadith 2

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“A man was reciting Sūrah Al-Kahf during the night.

Near him was a horse tied with two ropes.

A cloud began to descend and draw close,

and his horse started to move and become frightened.

In the morning, he came to the Prophet and mentioned this to him.

He said:

‘That was the sakīnah descending for the Qur’an.’”

(Reported by Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Context:

Sakīnah is a real tranquility that Allah sends down.

It accompanies the recitation of the Qur’an.

A peace that surrounds the place and the heart.

The Qur’an attracts calmness

and soothes the soul of the one who recites it.

✦

Hadith 3

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Amazing is the affair of the believer.

All of his affairs are good for him, and this is only for the believer.

If something good happens to him, he is grateful and it is good for him.

If something harmful happens to him, he is patient and it is good for him.”

(Reported by Sahih Muslim)

Context:

Faith does not remove trials.

It changes the way they are lived.

In ease, the believer is grateful.

In hardship, he is patient.

Thus, every situation becomes good for him.

✦

Hadith 4

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“No one has ever eaten food better than that earned by the work of his own hands.

The Prophet Dāwūd, peace be upon him, used to eat from the work of his own hands.”

(Reported by Sahih al-Bukhari)

Context:

Working honestly is dignity.

Earning halal is a quiet act of worship.

Faith also purifies the way one earns a living.

✦

Hadith 5

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to say when departing on a journey:

“O Allah, we ask You in this journey for righteousness, mindfulness of You, and deeds that please You.

O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance.

O Allah, You are the Companion in travel and the Protector of the family.”

(Reported by Sahih Muslim)

Context:

Even on the road, the believer is never alone.

Allah is his protector and companion.

Faith accompanies every journey.

✦

Hadith 6

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“A smile you give to your brother is charity.”

(Reported by Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī)

Context:

Kindness does not depend on wealth.

Even a smile becomes charity.

Faith is visible in the simplest gestures.

✦

Hadith 7

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“The example of a good companion and a bad companion is that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith:

the perfume seller either gives you some perfume, or you buy from him, or you smell a pleasant fragrance from him;

whereas the blacksmith either burns your clothes or you smell an unpleasant odor from him.”

(Reported by Sahih al-Bukhari)

Context:

Companionship influences the heart.

Some souls perfume faith.

Others darken it.

Choosing your companions is protecting your religion.

✦

Hadith 8

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“No Muslim visits a sick Muslim in the morning except that seventy thousand angels pray for him until the evening;

and if he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels pray for him until the morning,

and he will have a garden in Paradise.”

(Reported by Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī)

Context:

Visiting the sick is living mercy.

The angels accompany the one who brings comfort.

Faith becomes presence and compassion.

✦

Hadith 9

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“I and the one who takes care of an orphan will be in Paradise like this.”

And he brought his index and middle fingers close together.

(Reported by Sahih al-Bukhari)

Context:

Caring for an orphan is a tremendous deed.

In Paradise, this person will be very close to the Prophet,

like two fingers side by side.

Faith first protects the most vulnerable.

✦

Hadith 10

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“The best of deeds is to bring joy to the heart of a believer, to relieve him of a hardship, to repay his debt, or to feed his hunger.”

(Reported by Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir)

Context:

Faith cannot ignore poverty.

Helping those in need is a social act of worship.

Giving nourishes both the one who receives and the one who gives.

✦

Hadith 11

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“The example of the one who respects the limits set by Allah and the one who falls into them is like people who drew lots for their places on a boat.

Some ended up on the upper deck and others on the lower deck.

Those below, when they needed water, had to pass by those above.

They said: ‘If we make a hole in our part of the boat, we will not disturb those above us.’

If they let them do so, they will all perish.

But if they prevent them, they will be saved, all of them.”

(Reported by Sahih al-Bukhari)

Context:

The community resembles a ship.

No one travels alone.

Ignoring wrongdoing out of indifference can sink everyone.

Advising with wisdom is mercy, not intrusion.

Preventing harm protects all.

When hearts support one another, Allah guides the ship to a safe harbor.

✦

Hadith 12

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Charity does not decrease wealth.

Allah only increases a servant in honor when he forgives.

And no one humbles himself for Allah except that Allah raises him.”

(Reported by Sahih Muslim)

Context:

Giving does not make one poor.

Wealth does not decrease through charity.

Allah places blessing and growth in it.

The believer gives with trust,

certain that nothing given for Allah is ever lost.

✦

Hadith 13

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“No Muslim plants a tree or sows a crop from which a bird, a human, or an animal eats, except that it is counted for him as charity.”

(Reported by Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Context:

Planting is a charity that continues to live.

Even after you are gone, the tree still feeds others.

Every fruit becomes a reward.

Faith does not merely consume the world: it helps it grow.

✦

Hadith 14

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three:

ongoing charity,

knowledge from which people benefit,

or a righteous child who prays for him.”

(Reported by Sahih Muslim)

Context:

Some deeds continue to benefit people even after we depart.

In Islam, this is called ongoing charity (ṣadaqa jāriyah): a good or service whose benefit lasts over time and continues to help others.

Like knowledge passed on, a service provided, a useful tool, the construction of a mosque, the digging of a well, a beneficial structure, or lasting help left to the community.

As long as people benefit from it, the reward continues to be written, even after death.

Everything that makes life easier, helps others, or brings real good

becomes a continuous reward with Allah.

The Shahāda pushes the believer to build, to serve, and to create useful things from which people continue to benefit long after him.

✦

Hadith 15

✦

A camel came to the Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and began to groan.

The Prophet stroked its head, and the animal calmed down.

Then he said:

“Who owns this camel?

Do you not fear Allah regarding this animal that Allah has entrusted to you?

It complains that you starve it and exhaust it.”

(Reported by Sunan Abi Dawud, authenticated)

Context:

Animals feel fatigue, hunger, and pain.

Exploiting them without mercy is injustice.

The believer never benefits from a creature at the cost of its suffering.

Faith makes one attentive even to those who cannot speak.

✦

Hadith 16

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“When you ask Allah for Paradise, ask Him for Al-Firdaws, for it is the highest and most elevated part of Paradise.

Above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it flow the rivers of Paradise.”

(Reported by Sahih al-Bukhari)

Context:

The believer does not aim only to enter Paradise.

He aims for excellence.

Every good deed, every sincere word, every quiet effort

is a step toward a higher rank.

The Shahāda elevates the soul,

and an elevated soul naturally aspires to the best with Allah.

The example of Abū Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq in daily life

✦

Hadith

✦

The Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Who among you has fasted today?”

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq replied:

“I have.”

He said:

“Who among you has followed a funeral procession today?”

He replied:

“I have.”

He said:

“Who among you has fed a poor person today?”

He replied:

“I have.”

He said:

“Who among you has visited a sick person today?”

He replied:

“I have.”

Then the Prophet said:

“These qualities are not gathered in a man in a single day except that he will enter Paradise.”

(Reported by Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

Context:

Faith is not limited to one extraordinary action.

It is built through a quiet accumulation of good deeds:

A fast.

A step toward a funeral.

A poor person fed.

A sick person visited.

Simple acts…

yet united with sincerity.

In just one day, Abū Bakr combined:

personal worship,

social service,

compassion,

and remembrance of death.

The Shahāda transforms every hour into an opportunity.

A believer does not wait for one great deed,

he seizes every small door of goodness.

And when all those doors open in the same day,

the path to Paradise opens with them.

Supplication (Dua)

Our Lord, grant us a good situation in this life,

a good situation in the Hereafter,

and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

(Rabbana ātinā fid-dunyā ḥasanatan, wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanatan, wa qinā ʿadhāban-nār.)

O Allah, teach us what benefits us, allow us to benefit from what You teach us, and increase us in knowledge.

Make Your remembrance the life of our hearts, a light on our paths, and a blessing in our actions.

Grant us sincerity in our words and our deeds, good character, and service to others.

Fill our days with worship and gather for us every form of good.

Admit us, by Your mercy, into the highest level of Paradise: Al-Firdaws.

And send Your prayers, peace, and blessings upon Muhammad, the Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

Āmīn

Navigation Help

You can click on each image below to explore the different pages.

Say BismiLlāh and enjoy the journey.

The Forms of the Tashahhud in Prayer

Purification : Ablution

The Shahada in the Call to Prayer

Prayer

Time

Home

The Last Word