University of Life: The Remembrance

Prophet Muhammad once said,

"Remember Allah in prosperity, He will remember you in adversity." (Sunan Tarmizi)

It has become a norm for many people; when we are happy, easy, have no worries, we tend to forget the most important thing in our lives. The same goes to me. Zikrullah or the remembrance of Allah. It's not simply by reciting prayers, praising the Lord, and say thanks to Him, but it's more than that.

My primitive understanding of "Zikrullah" once was to takbir, tahmid, tasbih, and et cetera. But I came to a realisation that it was not enough to that extent. The concept of Zikrullah that I understood was not comprehensive (syumul)! I already knew that the common grasp of the concept of "Zikrullah" is the remembrance of Allah and supported by many hadith, but I was thinking that I'm not doing any different from what a priest do; to remember God and to praise Him.

I contemplated upon myself; what else is not complete?

Then, I was struck by a thought; my mind said to me: Zikrullah is to remember Allah, to do what I should do, and to be sincere in whatever I do...or simply said: Taqwa. Zikrullah is not simply said, but it must be proven. Everyone can say everything. Even when the Pharaoh in the end of his life, beseeched Allah to spare his life; but nothing he proved worthy of Allah's mercy.

That to demonstrate Zikrullah is not only by words. The definition of Iman itself is enough to enlighten the whole concepts in Islam. "by Heart, by Words, and by Practice." that's Iman and that's Zikrullah.

Allah said in the Quran (At-Talaq : 2-3) or what's knowned as "1000 dinar verse" :

"...and whoever have taqwa to Allah, He will make for him a way out."

"And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah, then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His affairs. Allah has already set everything a (decreed) extent."