English Translation of part of Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya's al-Wabil al-Sayyib.
Dhikr is remembrance. In Islamic terminology it is remembrance of Allah. It has many forms and, in fact, all worship is dhikr. It grows an intimate relationship with Allah and one may engage in dhikr all twenty-four hours of the day, remembering Allah inwardly and doing what pleases Him and obeying Him in whatever he does. It is not that only a Sufi engages in dhikr but every one of us can do that. This book tells us more about it. It enumerates the merits and excellences of dhikr and defines the station of the dhakir who is the one remembering Allah. In describing al-Wabil al-Sayyib, the author says, We have mentioned [in it] nearly one hundred benefits of remembrance of God [dhikr], and the secrets of remembrance...This is a book of great usefulness.
