Definition
In Islam, the reminder or mention of God through recitation, prayer, praise formulas and attention of the heart.
The dhikr can be silent or vocal, sober or rhythmic, individual or led by a brotherhood. The formulas and gestures differ, and not all Muslim communities evaluate collective forms in the same way.
To be retained
- Understanding it as an Islamic reminder
- Respect the forms of each brotherhood
- Distinguish recitation and show
- Do not sell it as a universal technique
Origin of the term and context
Dhikr comes from the Arab root dh-k-r, "remember, mention." The Qur'an calls for God's reminder; individual and collective forms have developed in various ways.
Why does it matter?
Rhythm recitation can change breathing and attentional state. This does not exhaust its religious significance and does not demonstrate a specific therapeutic action.
- Understanding it as an Islamic reminder
- Respect the forms of each brotherhood
- Distinguish recitation and show
- Do not sell it as a universal technique
How can it be explored or practised?
- Discover a public recitation with explanation
- Respecting the separation between participants and visitors
- Learning the meaning of formulas
- Do not register without permission
Misconceptions and points of caution
- Dhikr is not just a Muslim mantra.
- Some meetings are closed.
- Respiratory intensity may not be suitable for all.
Perspectives from different traditions
- Islam in the broad sense: prayerful reminder, Qur'an and invocations.
- Sufism: Brotherhood practices guided by a transmission chain.
- Legal approaches: various assessments of musical and physical forms.
To go further
- The Qur'an — The Reminder
- The Sufi Path of Knowledge — William Chittick