Dua Before Dhikr
3 Ways to Prepare Your Heart for Remembrance
The remembrance of Allah, known as dhikr, is among the most beloved and rewarding acts of worship, polishing the heart and drawing the believer near to their Lord. Before beginning dhikr, the believer prepares the heart and turns to Allah with the right intention, mindful of the magnificent promise He has made: that He will remember those who remember Him. The dua before dhikr centres on this preparation, opening the heart to the remembrance of Allah with presence and sincerity.
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
Fadhkurūnī adhkurkum washkurū lī wa lā takfurūn.
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.”
Allah has invited His servants to remember Him, promising in return a remembrance far greater, and the heart that is prepared gains the full sweetness of dhikr. This guide explains the dua before dhikr and three ways to prepare your heart for remembrance, so that the believer may begin the remembrance of Allah with a present heart, a sincere intention, and hope in the beautiful promise that Allah remembers those who remember Him.
The Promise of Allah to Those Who Remember Him
In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah makes a beautiful and generous promise: so remember Me; I will remember you, and be grateful to Me and do not deny Me. This verse is a magnificent invitation, in which Allah promises that whoever remembers Him will be remembered by Him in return. The remembrance of Allah for His servant is greater and more honourable than any remembrance the servant could offer, making dhikr one of the most rewarding acts of worship.
The scholars explained that to be remembered by Allah is the highest honour, for Allah mentions the one who remembers Him among the angels and grants them His mercy and nearness. This promise should fill the heart with longing to remember Allah often. Before beginning dhikr, the believer recalls this promise, knowing that their humble remembrance is met with the magnificent remembrance of Allah, and this awareness prepares the heart to enter dhikr with hope and devotion.
Three Ways to Prepare Your Heart for Remembrance
Preparing the heart allows the believer to gain the full sweetness of dhikr. These three ways help the believer prepare for the remembrance of Allah.
- Purify your intention, remembering Allah sincerely for His sake and seeking His remembrance in return.
- Make the heart present, turning away from distraction so the remembrance reaches beyond the tongue.
- Recall the promise of Allah, beginning dhikr hopeful that He remembers those who remember Him.
وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
Washkuru li wa la takfurun
And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me
Opening the Heart to Remembrance
The dua before dhikr opens the heart to the remembrance of Allah with presence and sincerity. By purifying the intention, making the heart present, and recalling the promise that Allah remembers those who remember Him, the believer prepares well for dhikr. This preparation allows the remembrance to reach beyond the tongue into the heart, gaining its full sweetness and reward. Beginning the remembrance of Allah in this state, the believer enters one of the most beloved acts of worship with hope and devotion.
This practice pairs naturally with the dua after dhikr and the dua for sincerity in worship. Together they help the believer fill the heart with the remembrance and presence of Allah.
Allah promises to remember those who remember Him, the highest honour a believer can hope for. Learn the duas of worship with us on YouTube, where the remembrances are recited aloud, on TikTok for a reminder to prepare your heart for dhikr, and on Facebook where readers share how they fill their day with the remembrance of Allah.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dua before dhikr centres on preparing the heart and recalling the promise of Allah in the Quran: so remember Me; I will remember you. The believer opens the heart to the remembrance of Allah with sincerity and presence.
Allah promises in Surah Al-Baqarah that He will remember those who remember Him: so remember Me; I will remember you. To be remembered by Allah is the highest honour a believer can attain.
Because the heart that is prepared gains the full sweetness and reward of dhikr, allowing the remembrance to reach beyond the tongue into the heart. Preparation opens the believer to the beautiful promise of Allah.
Purify your intention, make the heart present by turning from distraction, and recall the promise that Allah remembers those who remember Him. These prepare the believer to enter dhikr with hope and devotion.
Dhikr is the remembrance of Allah, among the most beloved and rewarding acts of worship. It polishes the heart, draws the believer near to Allah, and is met with His magnificent remembrance in return.
Yes, dhikr is among the most rewarding acts, for Allah promises to remember those who remember Him, mentioning them among the angels and granting them His mercy and nearness. It is beloved and light upon the tongue.