Thikr – Sakinahliving

Thikr or Dhikr of Allah is the act of remembering and mentioning Allah. It is one of the few acts of worship that have been prescribed in numbers in Hadith (i.e. Alhamdulillah 33x, Allahu Akbar 33x…)
Whether using a counter, sibha (rosary), or your fingers, Thikr can get repetitive and turn into a number game very easily.

How to remember Allah

Sometimes when Dunya consumes us, we forget Allah.
Here are some ways I remind myself to do Thikr:

I set reminders on my phone throughout the day
I train myself to switch to Thikr whenever I start humming music
I make it a habit to make Thikr whenever I am walking, going up or down some stairs, or even jogging!

Deeper Thikr

Alhamdulillah, I have found a system that helps me stay mindful and intentional whenever I am making Thikr without losing focus mid-way.

We all have things we are grateful for, things we regret, things we are worried about, and things we are in awe of. If you can’t recall all these at once, write them down on paper.

Next, you will start your Tasbih or Thikr

Alhamdulillah 33x (Thank God) FOR

Astaghfurallah 100x (I seek forgiveness) FOR

Allahu Akbar 33x (Allah is bigger) THAN

Subhan Allah 33x (Glory to Allah) FOR

Alhamdulillah FOR my health

Astaghfurallah FOR backbiting yesterday

Allahu Akbar THAN my worry about xyz

Subhan Allah FOR the moon
Then you will repeat this process till you complete your Thikr.

How to count Thikr

The Sunnah is to count using your right hand with your fingertips. This is the way Prophet Muhammad used to do it.

I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) counting the tasbih. Ibn Qudamah said: With his right hand. (Sunan Abi Dawud)

However, if you are just starting and struggling to keep count. Some people prefer to use an electronic counter or a rosary.

In the blink of an eye, the initial 10 days of Ramadan have passed. Soon, we will bid farewell to this sacred month, uncertain if we will witness another.

Many of us experience a dip in momentum around this midpoint of Ramadan. I confess that I enthusiastically enter Ramadan, often overlooking the potential for burnout.

Ramadan Burnout

If you’re reading this, remember that Ramadan isn’t a time for burnout; it’s a race between you and yourself and you want to reach that finish line first place!

As a fellow planner, you’ll appreciate an extra boost to keep you motivated during these next 10 days.

FREE RAMADAN PLANNER

Questions to Reflect Upon in Ramadan

Islam:
- Beyond food and water, have I fasted from other distractions or negative habits?
- What new good deeds have I initiated?
- Which sins do I still need to abandon?
- How have I demonstrated loyalty to Allah?
- How much time daily have I spent connecting with Allah?
Self:
- How can I better care for myself while serving others?
- Have I sought healing through the Quran?
- Am I more mindful of my thoughts, words, and actions?
Marriage:
- Have I selflessly served my spouse?
- How often have I thanked Allah for granting me a righteous partner?
- In what ways have I expressed love to my husband?
- Have I dedicated quality time to him?
Home:
- How frequently have I expressed gratitude for the security of my home during Ramadan?
- Have I created a safe space for my personal connection with Allah?
- Am I more appreciative of the sustenance Allah provides?
Fitness:
- How often have I thanked Allah for my healthy body?
- Have I tuned in to my physical well-being (through walks, exercise, etc.)?

May these reflections deepen our spirituality during the remaining days of Ramadan.

Reflection on the Past 10 Days of Ramadan

We cannot plan for the next 10 days without effectively analyzing the past 10 days. If you downloaded my FREE RAMADAN 2024 PLANNER, reflect on the past 10 days now. However, don’t feel discouraged if you haven’t journaled your days.

I’ve included a one-page reflection after every 10 days of Ramadan to help you recall what you want to do more of, less of, and your action plan!

The Second 10 Days of Ramadan

Now that we’ve reflected and put our thoughts onto paper, it’s time to set our intentions and commit. Planning is the first step; it means nothing if actions do not follow it. Take your paper and make this duaa to Allah

How are you planning on keeping your momentum in Ramadan?