111 / The Virtue of Remembrances Pertaining to One’s Daily and Nightly Activities

Among the weighty subjects and important matters that every Muslim greatly needs are those concerning his activities by day and night—while standing and sitting, moving and still, entering and leaving, and in all his other affairs. He should devote all of this to obeying Allah and employ it in what pleases Him, thereby remembering his Lord throughout, seeking His aid alone, and entrusting all his affairs to Him.

It is authentically reported in Sahīh Muslim that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—used to remember his Lord at all times1. That is, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, he never neglected the remembrance of Allah, Glorious and Exalted is He, under any circumstances—by night or day, morning or evening, while traveling or at home, while standing or sitting, and in all his other states. He would undertake no activity—whether sleeping or rising, entering or leaving, mounting or dismounting, or anything else—without beginning it with the remembrance of Allah, Glorious and Exalted is He, and supplication to Him.

Anyone who reflects upon the blessed sunnah and the noble Prophetic guidance will find remembrances for morning and evening, for sleeping and waking, for the prayers and the periods following them, for eating and drinking, for mounting a riding animal and traveling, for dispelling worry, distress, and sorrow, and remembrances to be said when a Muslim sees something he likes or dislikes, among many others directly connected with a Muslim’s circumstances throughout the day and night.

These sublime remembrances, varied according to their respective occasions, renew the covenant of faith, strengthen one’s bond with Allah, Glorious and Exalted is He, acknowledge His unceasing blessings and successive favors, and express gratitude to Him for His grace, blessings, generosity, and beneficence. They also entail turning to Him alone and reliance