Indeed, it is established that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said, as recorded by al-Bayhaqī in Shuab al-Īmān and by Abū Nuaym in al-Hilya, in the hadith of the Mother of the Believers Aisha—may Allah be pleased with her: “Whenever an hour passes a child of Adam without his remembering Allah Most High, he will regret it on the Day of Resurrection.”1

The Sunnah abounds in hadiths demonstrating the virtue of remembrance, its lofty worth and eminent status, and the many benefits it brings to the men and women who remember Allah often.

Al-Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah, and al-Hākim narrated—and al-Hākim declared its chain of transmission sound, a judgment with which al-Dhahabī concurred—from Abū al-Dardā—may Allah be pleased with him—who reported that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Shall I not tell you of the best of your deeds, the purest in the sight of your Sovereign, and the one that raises you highest in rank—better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks while they strike yours?” They replied, “Indeed, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “The remembrance of Allah.”2

Muslim narrated in his Sahīh, in the hadith of Abū Hurayra—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Those who have set themselves apart have outstripped the rest.” They asked, “Who are those who have set themselves apart, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “The men and women who remember Allah often.” 3.