Islamic Spirituality: Dhikr, Ihsan and Tazkiyah

What Is Ihsan?

Ihsan means excellence. It is the third of the three levels of the faith, alongside Islam and iman, described in the Hadith of Jibreel (reported by Umar ibn al-Khattab, in Sahih Muslim), which our guide to Islamic beliefs explains. In that hadith, ihsan is described as: “To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, then know that He sees you.”

• Ihsan in daily worshipIhsan turns worship from routine into a conscious awareness of God.
• Tazkiyah (purification)The Qur'an says: "Successful indeed is the one who purifies their soul" (Qur'an 91:9). Spiritual growth takes active effort to cleanse the heart.
• The inner sciencesClassical scholars such as Imam al-Ghazali wrote in detail about spiritual growth, addressing diseases of the heart such as arrogance, envy and attachment to the world.

What Is Dhikr?

Dhikr means remembrance of God. The Qur'an says: “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” (Qur'an 13:28). Common phrases of dhikr include:

1. 1SubhanAllah: Glory be to God, a reminder of God's perfection.
2. 2Alhamdulillah: All praise is due to God, an expression of gratitude.
3. 3Allahu Akbar: God is the Greatest.
4. 4La ilaha illAllah: There is no god but God, the statement of tawhid (God's oneness).
5. 5Astaghfirullah: I seek God's forgiveness.

Du'a: Personal Prayer to God

While salah is the formal, structured prayer, du'a is personal supplication: asking God for anything, at any time.

• Calling on God directlyMuslims make du'a directly to God. The Qur'an says: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you" (Qur'an 40:60).
• Times many Muslims choose for du'aTimes that many Muslims consider especially good for du'a include the last third of the night, between the adhan and iqamah, while fasting, in prostration, on Fridays and during rain.
• MannersMany Muslims begin by praising Allah and sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, then ask sincerely and with confidence that God hears.

Common Daily Du'as

1. 1On waking: Many Muslims say "Alhamdulillahilladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur": All praise to Allah who gave us life after death, and to Him is the return.
2. 2Before eating: Many Muslims say "Bismillah": In the name of Allah. If they forget at the start, many say "Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirihi": In the name of Allah, at its beginning and its end.
3. 3Leaving the house: Many Muslims say "Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'alAllah": In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah.
4. 4Before sleeping: Many Muslims say "Allahumma bismika amutu wa ahya": O Allah, in Your name I die and I live. Many also recite Ayat al-Kursi and the last three surahs of the Qur'an.
5. 5In times of difficulty: Many Muslims say "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un": Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return (Qur'an 2:156).
6. 6After completing a task: Many Muslims say "Alhamdulillah": All praise is due to Allah, as thanks for every outcome.

What Is the Nafs? Three States of the Self

Nafs is the Arabic word for the self or soul, especially the part of a person that has desires and impulses. Many scholars describe three states of the nafs, using terms that appear in the Qur'an:

• An-nafs al-ammarah (the commanding self)The self driven by desire, impulse and ego.
• An-nafs al-lawwamah (the self-reproaching self)The self that feels regret after doing wrong and begins to struggle against it.
• An-nafs al-mutma'innah (the tranquil self)The self at peace with God, which many scholars describe as the goal of the spiritual path.

Tawbah: Repentance

Muslims believe no sin is too great for God to forgive when a person turns back sincerely. The Qur'an says: “Say: O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah” (Qur'an 39:53). Scholars commonly describe these steps of sincere repentance:

1. 1Stop: Stop the wrongful action.
2. 2Regret: Feel sincere regret, not only fear of the consequences.
3. 3Resolve: Make a sincere intention not to return to it.
4. 4Put things right: If you wronged a person, seek their forgiveness or return what you took.

Qiyam al-Layl: The Night Prayer

The night prayer, also called Tahajjud, is voluntary prayer offered at night, often in the last part of the night before Fajr. The Qur'an describes such worshippers: “They forsake their beds to call upon their Lord in fear and hope” (Qur'an 32:16). Our guide on how to pray in Islam covers the night prayer step by step.

• How many rak'ahsMany scholars teach there is no fixed number, and many people pray in sets of two rak'ahs.
• What to reciteMany people recite whatever they have memorised of the Qur'an.
• Personal du'aMany Muslims make personal du'a in prostration during the night prayer.
• Starting smallMany people start with two rak'ahs and build up slowly.

Tawakkul, Patience and Gratitude

• Tawakkul (trust in God)Tawakkul is usually translated as reliance on God. Many teachers describe it as trusting God's plan while doing your part.
• Shukr (gratitude)Being grateful to God in both ease and hardship.
• Sabr (patience)Not passive resignation, but active endurance with faith in God's wisdom.

Tazkiyah: Purifying the Heart

Scholars such as Imam al-Ghazali, in his Ihya Ulum ad-Din, discuss diseases of the heart that hold back spiritual growth, and the virtues that replace them. Arabic terms are explained in our Islamic glossary.

Books on Islamic Spirituality

Some well-known books on the inner life in Islam:

• Ihya Ulum ad-Din, by Imam al-GhazaliThe Revival of the Religious Sciences: a large classical work on the heart, worship and character.
• The Book of Assistance, by Imam al-HaddadA short, practical guide to spiritual growth.
• Purification of the Heart, translated by Hamza YusufA translation and commentary on Imam al-Mawlud's poem on the diseases and cures of the heart.
• In the Early Hours, by Khurram MuradReflections on spiritual growth, self-development and building a relationship with the Qur'an.
• Reclaim Your Heart, by Yasmin MogahedA modern exploration of attachment, loss and finding peace through connection with God.

Islamic Spirituality FAQ