---
title: "What Is Dhikr? Remembering God | Islam Is Mercy"
description: "Dhikr means remembrance of God — repeating short phrases of praise and keeping God in mind throughout the day. It brings the heart peace."
lang: en
url: https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/dhikr/
---

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3.  What Is Dhikr? Remembering God

# What Is Dhikr? Remembering God

Written by **Islam Is Mercy Editorial Team**· 1 min readAwaiting scholar review

## The short answer

Dhikr means "remembrance": keeping God in mind and on the tongue through short phrases of praise such as subhanallah, alhamdulillah and Allahu akbar. Muslims practise it after prayer and throughout the day, and the Qur'an teaches that hearts find rest in it.

## On this page

1.  Meaning
2.  How Muslims use it
3.  Example

**Dhikr** (Arabic: ذكر) is pronounced *THIK-r*, with a soft “th” as in “this”.

## Meaning

*Dhikr* means “remembrance” or “mention”. In Islam it refers to remembering God — in the heart, on the tongue and through one’s actions. The whole religion can be seen as a form of remembrance: the daily prayers, the Qur’an and even good manners keep a person aware of God. But the word is used especially for short phrases of praise repeated quietly.

The Qur’an links remembrance with inner peace:

> ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ ﴿٢٨﴾

> Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured."

[Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13:28](https://quran.com/13?startingVerse=28&translations=20)Saheeh International

## How Muslims use it

Common phrases of *dhikr* include *subhanallah* (glory be to God), *alhamdulillah* (praise be to God), *Allahu akbar* (God is the Greatest) and *la ilaha illallah* (there is no god but God). Many Muslims repeat these after each daily prayer, in the morning and evening, while walking or driving, or before sleep. Some count them on their fingers or on a string of beads.

*Dhikr* needs no special place, no ritual and no one’s permission. It is one of the easiest ways for a new Muslim to feel close to God from the very first day.

## Example

*Waiting for the bus, she quietly repeats “alhamdulillah” and feels her worries settle.*

For how faith can support wellbeing, read [Mental Health and Hope in Islam](https://islamismercy.com/en/views/mental-health-and-hope/), and see [Subhanallah](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/subhanallah/).

## Key takeaways

-   Dhikr means remembering God with the heart and the tongue.
-   Common phrases include subhanallah, alhamdulillah and Allahu akbar.
-   The Qur'an teaches that hearts find rest in the remembrance of God.

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## Sources

-   [Qur'an, Ar-Ra'd 13:28](https://quran.com/13?startingVerse=28&translations=20)

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## Keep reading

[Glossary

### What Does Subhanallah Mean?

Subhanallah means "glory be to God". Muslims say it in wonder, in prayer and in daily remembrance, declaring God free of every flaw.

Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/subhanallah/)[Glossary

### What Does Alhamdulillah Mean?

Alhamdulillah means "all praise is for God". Muslims say it to express gratitude many times a day — in good times and in hard times.

Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/alhamdulillah/)[Islam's View On…

### What Does Islam Say About Mental Health and Hope?

Islam acknowledges sadness and grief — even the Prophet ﷺ wept — encourages seeking treatment, and offers deep sources of hope and comfort.

Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/views/mental-health-and-hope/)