he outwardly expresses in remembrance of Allah. Rather, he should be instructed to perfect it through praiseworthy inward states, even if he already remembers Allah with his tongue. The highest degree is to remember Allah with both heart and tongue, followed by remembrance with the heart, then remembrance with the tongue.

It has been related that the angels attended a dying man and found no good deed to his credit except that his tongue was moving in remembrance of Allah. This was among the reasons Allah showed him mercy.

A man said to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, “Give me counsel, for the ordinances of Islam have become too numerous for me.” He replied, “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.”

Allah Most High said, “I am with My servant whenever he remembers Me.” Remembrance may be upon a person’s tongue, yet his heart has some share in it, since the limbs move only by the heart’s will. Nevertheless, heedlessness may predominate in his heart. Such speech is better than its absence, and Allah loves it and commands it.