REMEMBRANCE OF GOD
THE Quran states: “Remembrance of God is surely the greatest thing.” (29: 45) In other words, it means that for a person, remembrance of God is the greatest form of worship. This rememberance of God is what is most desired of a human being. Therefore, the Quran adjures us to remember God very frequently (33: 41).
What is meant by remembrance of God? Abu Bakr Jassas Raazi (d. 981) took the meaning of “remembrance” as signs of God and thinking about God’s majesty and power. And he regarded this form of worship as superior to other types of remembrance (such as saying God’s name while counting the beads on the rosary).
The fact is that we understand God only through those phenomena or attributes of God which are scattered everywhere in our own existence and across the universe. We achieve the realization and discovery of God through contemplation on these phenomena of nature.
It is a fact that we cannot observe God’s Being, yet, we can definitely see glimpses of God in His creation. This contemplation on God’s creation is another name for remembrance of God.
The reality is that, remembrance does not mean verbal repetition of God’s name. Remembrance means contemplation on God’s creation to discover God’s greatness through the wisdom and perfection of His works. This is remembrance, and through it, one can achieve a higher level of realization of God. It is a fact that we cannot observe God’s Being, yet, we can definitely see glimpses of God in His creation. This contemplation on God’s creation is another name for remembrance of God, and through it one is able to achieve that high level of firm faith which is called realization of God.
Trying to observe God’s Being leads one either to ecstasy or to confusion, and both of these are actually undesirable. In this case, the most desirable thing is divine realization, which is achieved through contemplation and deep thinking. There is no other way to reach this goal.
One can understand the meaning of remembrance of God from a report by Aisha, the Prophet’s wife: “The Prophet Muhammad used to remember God on every occasion.” (Sahih Muslim) Abundantly remembering God means that whatever a person sees or whatever he experiences, he should make it a point of reference for the remembrance of God. Everything should remind him of God. Every experience should become a reason for strengthening his faith. Every study and observation should bring him nearer to God.