The Qur'an reminds Muslims to be dutiful to God and to remember Him throughout the day: “Oh you who believe! Celebrate the praises of God, and do so often, and glorify Him morning and evening” (Qur'an 33:41–42). All words of praise and remembrance of God are known in Islamic terminology as dhikr.

The Qur'an repeatedly speaks of the “remembrance of God” as a way for believers to strengthen their faith, purify their hearts, and find peace in times of turmoil. Muhammad once related that God said of Himself:

“I am as my servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself. And if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.” A Muslim strives to remember God throughout the day, often reciting specific phrases or words in quiet humility.

Dhikr Beads

Some Muslims carry a set of beads that are used in meditation when reciting words of remembrance. Similar to the Catholic rosary beads, musbaha or tasbeeh (Islamic prayer beads) are used to count the number of times a phrase is repeated. They consist of a string of either ninety-nine or thirty-three small beads, often made out of wood or gemstone.

The number of beads corresponds to the number of “names” of God, one of many concepts Muslims may contemplate. There are also other traditional words or phrases of remembrance that are repeated in similar multiples. Using the prayer beads is optional, and in fact not all Muslims accept this practice.

The Qur'an reminds us that glorifying and praising God helps calm the soul: “In the remembrance of God do hearts find ease” (Qur'an 13:28). Muslims strive to remember God throughout the day through formal prayers, supplications, and words of remembrance.