The Virtue of Remembrance of Allah: A Lecture by Sheikh Ibn Baz Explaining the Impact of Remembrance on a Muslim’s Life

Remembrance of Allah holds a lofty status in a Muslim’s life. It is an act of worship not tied to a specific place or a single time, and it brings together the presence of the heart, the movement of the tongue and upright conduct. In an audio recording published on the official website of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz, titled “The Virtues of Remembrance,” the sheikh presents a number of verses and meanings that demonstrate the status of remembrance and its effect on the heart and conduct. This material summarizes the main themes of the lecture without attributing to the sheikh any meaning not found in the official source.

A Quranic Command to Remember Allah Frequently

Sheikh Ibn Baz begins his discussion with Quranic texts that encourage believers to remember Allah frequently, including Allah’s words in Surat Al-Ahzab: “O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance. And exalt Him morning and afternoon” [Al-Ahzab: 41–42]. He also cites His words: “And remember Allah often that you may succeed” [Al-Jumu‘ah: 10].

These texts make clear that remembrance is not a marginal act in the life of a believer. The Quran commands it frequently and connects it with success and the servant’s relationship with his Lord. The sheikh also draws attention to the description of people of understanding in Surat Aal ‘Imran: they remember Allah while standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and they combine remembrance with reflection on the creation of the heavens and the earth.

Remembrance Is Not Limited to the Tongue

In another official recording by the sheikh, titled “Remembrance with the Heart, Tongue and Limbs,” he explains that remembrance is broader than merely reciting words of remembrance. It takes place in the heart through love of Allah, fear of Him, glorifying Him and sincerity toward Him. It takes place on the tongue through glorifying Allah, praising Him, affirming His oneness, proclaiming His greatness, seeking His forgiveness and supplicating Him. Righteous deeds also fall within the meaning of remembrance of Allah insofar as they constitute obedience to His command.

This meaning places remembrance within an integrated framework: a tongue that remembers, a heart that is conscious of the meaning and actions that conform to Islamic law. The sheikh therefore emphasizes the importance of combining truthfulness, sincerity and adherence to the Sharia, so that words do not become a mere habit detached from the presence of the heart and righteous action.

Remembrance, Heedlessness and Their Effect on the Heart

In the lecture “Remembrance and Its Great Virtue,” the sheikh warns against heedlessness and explains that a Muslim needs remembrance at different times. He cites what is authentically reported from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Prophet ﷺ used to remember Allah in all his circumstances. He explains that heedlessness is one of the causes of hardness of the heart, whereas remembrance helps remind the heart of the truth and move it toward goodness.

This does not mean that remembrance is a substitute for obligatory duties or for fulfilling people’s rights. Rather, the picture presented in the official lectures combines remembrance with obedience and righteous action. The aim is a life in which the heart is attached to Allah and the tongue is moist with remembrance of Him, while adhering to what Allah has commanded and avoiding what He has forbidden.

Established Remembrances and Great Virtue

The sheikh’s explanations of the remembrances cite authentic hadiths on the virtue of simple words carrying immense reward. Among them is the hadith agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim: “Two words that are light on the tongue, heavy on the scale and beloved to the Most Merciful: Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him; Glory be to Allah, the Almighty.” He also mentions the hadith of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated by Muslim, on the virtue of saying: Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.

The safest approach for a Muslim is to maintain the established remembrances found in the Quran and authentic Sunnah, without inventing numbers, virtues or formulas for which there is no established evidence. The established virtues of remembrance are extensive and do not require unverified reports or exaggeration.

Summary of the Lecture

The central message can be summarized as follows: remembrance of Allah is an act of worship with a lasting effect. The Quran commands it, the Sunnah encourages it, and it encompasses the heart, tongue and actions. Frequent observance of the prescribed remembrances helps a Muslim resist heedlessness and remain conscious of Allah’s watchfulness, while obligatory duties, rights and righteous deeds retain their place as ordained by Allah.

Sources

Primary source: the official website of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz, “The Virtues of Remembrance”: https://binbaz.org.sa/audios/1226/

Supporting source: “Remembrance and Its Great Virtue”: https://binbaz.org.sa/audios/1221/

Supporting source: “Remembrance with the Heart, Tongue and Limbs”: https://binbaz.org.sa/audios/1212/

Also reviewed: “The Book of Remembrances – Chapter on the Virtue of Remembrance and Encouragement to Observe It,” published on the sheikh’s official website.