Remembering Allah keeps the heart alive
“Dhikr is to the heart what water is to the fish.”
True spiritual life comes from remembering Allah consistently, especially through daily adhkar, which gives purpose, tranquility, and strength during hardship.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Opens with prayers for the sick, recovering, and deceased, followed by a reminder to give full attention during the khutbah.
- Defines spiritual life and death by whether a person remembers Allah throughout the day.
- Uses the examples of Yunus, Ibrahim, Musa, and the Prophet Muhammad with Abu Bakr to show remembrance during crises.
- Explains that dhikr nourishes and steadies the heart, contrasting spiritual remembrance with mind-centered approaches.
- Presents four categories of daily adhkar: glorification, istighfar and salawat, morning and evening adhkar, post-prayer remembrance, and timely supplications.
- Closes by asking whether listeners are truly spiritually alive or merely existing.
In the khateeb's words
“One is dead, the other one is alive. Why? Because one constantly remembers Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala throughout the entire day.”
“Dhikr is to the heart what water is to the fish. Just like a fish cannot survive without water, a heart cannot survive without the dhikr of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
“We scroll through our phones every hour, but how often do we scroll through our souls?”
For the dinner table
Imam Nadim reminded us that remembering Allah keeps our hearts spiritually alive and helps us live with purpose. Through stories of the prophets, he encouraged us to turn to Allah first in difficulty while still asking others for help. He explained that dhikr, or remembrance of Allah, can bring peace to our hearts even when our problems remain. He encouraged daily glorification of Allah, seeking forgiveness, sending blessings on the Prophet, and remembering Allah in the morning, evening, after prayer, and during everyday activities. Parents should learn and practice these habits themselves, helping children grow through their example. His closing reminder invites us to give our hearts attention and remember Allah in peaceful times as well as painful ones.
- What everyday moment could remind you to remember Allah tomorrow?
- Which dua would you like us to learn and practice together?
- What could help you pause and turn to Allah when something feels difficult?
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