Dhikr in the Quran and Sunnah and Sufi Terminology: A Comprehensive Look

الذكر في القرآن والسنة ومصطلحات التصوف: نظرة شاملة

Abstract

This article offers a thorough analysis of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), rooted in primary Islamic sources and enriched by classical Sufi terminology. It begins with an exploration of Quranic injunctions and Prophetic traditions, showing how Dhikr is emphasized in both audible (Jali) and silent (Khafi) forms. These practices are not only personal but also communal, strengthening one’s spiritual connection with Allah and invoking divine mercy. The paper also investigates related acts such as Tafakkur (contemplation) and Tadabbur (reflection), which serve as intellectual and emotional extensions of Dhikr, encouraging self-awareness and understanding of the divine creation. The second section is dedicated to more than fifty key Sufi terms that define the stages, roles, and practices of the Sufi path. These include Tawbah (repentance), Ḥāl (spiritual state), Maqām (spiritual station), and the essential relationship between Shaykh (spiritual guide) and Murīd (disciple). It further explains the Sufi understanding of Jadhb (divine attraction), Tajallī (manifestation), and the harmony between Sharīʿah (Islamic law) and Ḥaqīqah (spiritual reality). Hierarchies of sainthood (Awliyāʾ) such as Qutb, Ghawth, Awtād, and Abdāl are also presented. The article concludes by emphasizing the transformative role of Dhikr and Sufi disciplines—like Riyāḍah, Mujāhadah, and Khalwah—in developing a balanced spiritual personality grounded in Islamic teachings.