Remembering Allah in the Mornings and Afternoons
Allah ordains that He be remembered more often in the mornings and the afternoons. Just as He ordered that He be worshipped during these two times when He said,
وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ الْغُرُوبِ
(And glorify the praises of your Lord, before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting.) 50:39 Before the night of Isra', when the five daily prayers were ordained, this Ayah was revealed in Makkah ordering that Allah be worshipped at these times, Allah said next,
تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً
(humbly and with fear) meaning, remember your Lord in secret, not loudly, with eagerness and fear. This is why Allah said next,
وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ
(and without loudness in words). Therefore, it is recommended that remembering Allah in Dhikr is not performed in a loud voice. When the Companions asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, "Is our Lord close, so that we call Him in secret, or far, so that we raise our voices" Allah sent down the verse,
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ
(And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor).) 2:186 In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said, "The people raised their voices with Du`a' (invoking Allah) while travelling. The Prophet said to them,
«يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ارْبَعُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ، فَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَدْعُونَ أَصَمَّ وَلَا غَائِبًا إِنَّ الَّذِي تَدْعُونَهُ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ أَقْرَبُ إِلَى أَحَدِكُمْ مِنْ عُنُقِ رَاحِلِته»
(O people! Take it easy on yourselves, for He Whom you are calling is not deaf or absent. Verily, He Whom you are calling is the All-Hearer, close (by His knowledge), closer to one of you than the neck of his animal.)" These texts encourage the servants to invoke Allah in Dhikr often, especially in the mornings and afternoons, so that they are not among those who neglect remembering Him. This is why Allah praised the angels who praise Him night and day without tiring,
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ
(Surely, those who are with your Lord (i.e., angels) are never too proud to perform acts of worship to Him) Allah reminded the servants of this fact so that they imitate the angels in their tireless worship and obedience of Allah. Prostration, here, upon the mention that the angels prostrate to Allah is legitimate. A Hadith reads;
«أَلَا تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ الْأُوَلَ فَالْأُوَلَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّف»
(Why not you stand in line (for the prayer) like the angels stand in line before their Lord They continue the first then the next lines and they stand close to each other in line. ) This is the first place in the Qur'an where it has been legitimized -- according to the agreement of the scholars -- for the readers of the Qur'an, and those listening to its recitation, to perform prostration.
And remember your Lord within yourself that is secretly humbly submissively and fearfully in awe of Him and louder than speaking in secret more quietly than speaking out loud that is a middle way between the two at morning and evening at the beginning of the day and at its end. And do not be among the heedless of God’s remembrance.
And remember thy Lord in thyself. The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him. The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
And remember thy Lord in thyself. The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him. The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
And remember thy Lord in thyself. The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him. The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
And remember thy Lord in thyself. The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him. The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
And remember thy Lord in thyself.The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him.The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
واذكر -أيها الرسول- ربك في نفسك تخشعًا وتواضعًا لله خائفًا وجل القلب منه، وادعه متوسطًا بين الجهر والمخافتة في أول النهار وآخره، ولا تكن من الذين يَغْفُلون عن ذكر الله، ويلهون عنه في سائر أوقاتهم.
يأمر تعالى بذكره أول النهار وآخره كثيرا كما أمر بعبادته في هذين الوقتين في قوله "فسبح بحمد ربك قبل طلوع الشمس وقبل الغروب" وقد كان هذا قبل أن تفرض الصلوات الخمس ليلة الإسراء وهذه الآية مكية وقال ههنا بالغدو وهو أول النهار والآصال جمع أصيل كما أن الأيمان جمع يمين وأما قوله "تضرعا وخيفة" أي اذكر ربك في نفسك رغبة ورهبة وبالقول لا جهرا ولهذا قال "ودون الجهر من القول" وهكذا يستحب أن يكون الذكر لا يكون نداء وجهرا بليغا ولهذا لما سألوا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالوا: أقريب ربنا فنناجيه أم بعيد فنناديه؟ فأنزل الله عز وجل "وإذا سألك عبادي عني فإني قريب أجيب دعوة الداع إذا دعان". وفي الصحيحين عن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه قال: رفع الناس أصواتهم بالدعاء في بعض الأسفار فقال لهم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم "يا أيها الناس أربعوا على أنفسكم فإنكم لا تدعون أصم ولا غائبا إن الذي تدعونه سميع قريب أقرب إلى أحدكم من عنق راحلته" وقد يكون المراد من هذه الآية كما في قوله تعالى "ولا تجهر بصلاتك ولا تخافت بها وابتغ بين ذلك سبيلا" فإن المشركين كانوا إذا سمعوا القرآن سبوه وسبوا من أنزله وسبوا من جاء به فأمره الله تعالى أن لا يجهر به لئلا ينال منه المشركون ولا يخافت به عن أصحابه فلا يسمعهم وليتخذ سبيلا بين الجهر والإسرار وكذا قال في هذه الآية الكريمة "ودون الجهر من القول بالغدو والآصال ولا تكن من الغافلين" وقد زعم ابن جرير وقبله عبدالرحمن بن زيد بن أسلم أن المراد بها أمر السامع للقرآن في حال استماعه بالذكر على هذه الصفة وهذا بعيد مناف للإنصات المأمور به ثم إن المراد بذلك في الصلاة كما تقدم أو في الصلاة والخطبة ومعلوم أن الإنصات إذ ذاك أفضل من الذكر باللسان سواء كان سرا أو جهرا فهذا الذي قالاه لم يتابعا عليه بل المراد الحض على كثرة الذكر من العباد بالغدو والآصال لئلا يكونوا من الغافلين ولهذا مدح الملائكة الذين يسبحون الليل والنهار لا يفترون.
ثم اختتمت السورة الكريمة بالحديث عن ذكر الله الذى هو طب القلوب ودواؤها وعافية الأبدان وشفاؤها فقالت : ( واذكر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ . . . ) .أى : استحضر عظمة ربك - جل جلاله - فى قلبك . واذكره بما يقربك إليه عن طريق قراءة القرآن والدعاء والتسبيح والتحميد والتهليل وغير ذلك .وقوله ( تَضَرُّعاً وَخِيفَةً ) فى موضع الحال بتأويل اسم الفاعل أى : اذكره متضرعا متذللا له وخائفا منه - سبحانه - :وقوله ( وَدُونَ الجهر مِنَ القول ) معطوف على قوله ( فِي نَفْسِكَ ) أى : اذكر ربك ذكراً فى نفسك ، وذكرا بلسانك دون الجهر .والمراد بالجهر : رفع الصوت بإفراط ، وبما دونه مما هو أقل منه ، وهو الوسط بين الجهر والمخافتة ، قال ابن عباس : هو أن يسمع نفسه .وقوله ( بالغدو والآصال ) متعلق باذكر ، والغدو جمع غدوة وهو ما بين طلوع الفجر وطلوع الشمس .والآصال جمع أصيل وهو من العصر إلى الغروب .أى : اذكر ربك مستحضرا عظمته ، فى كل وقت ، وراقبه فى كل حال ، لا سيما فى هذين الوقتين لأنهما طرفا النهار ومن افتتح نهاره بذكر الله واختتمه به كان جديرا برعاية ربه .قيل : وخص هذان الوقتان بالذكر لأنهما وقت سكون ودعة وتعبد واجتهاد . وما بينهما من أوقات الغالب فيها الانقطاع لأمر المعاش .ثم نهى - سبحانه - عن الغفلة عن ذكره فقال : ( وَلاَ تَكُنْ مِّنَ الغافلين ) الذين شغلتهم الدنيا عن ذكر الله .وفيه إشعار بطلب دوام ذكره - تعالى - واستحضار عظمته وجلاله وكبريائه بقدر الطاقة البشرية .قال بعض العلماء : ويؤخذ من هذه الآية الكريمة أن للذكر آدابا من أهمها :1 - أن يكون فى النفس لأن الإخفاء أدخل فى الإخلاص ، وأقرب إلى الإجابة ، وأبعد من الرياء .2 - أن يكون على سبيل التضرع وهو التذلل والخضوع والاعتراف بالتقصير .3 - أن يكون على وجه الخيفة أى الخوف والخشية من سلطان الربوبية وعظمة الألوهية من المؤاخذة على التقصير فى العمل لتخشع النفس ويخضع القلب .4 - أن يكون دون الجهر لأنه أقرب إلى حسن التفكر ، وفى الصحيحين عن أبى موسى الأشعرى قال : " رفع الناس أصواتهم بالدعاء فى بعض الأسفار ، فقال لهم النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يأيها الناس : اربعوا على أنفسكم - أى هونوا على أنفسكم - فإنكم لا تدعون أصم ولا غائباً . إن الذى تدعونه سميع قريب ، أقرب إلى أحدكم من عنق راحلته " .5 - أن يكون باللسان لا بالقلب وحده ، وهو مستفاد من قوله ( وَدُونَ الجهر ) لأن معناه ومتكلما كلاماً دون الجهر ، فيكون صفة لمعمول حال محذوفة ، معطوفاً على ( تَضَرُّعاً ) أو هو معطوف على ( فِي نَفْسِكَ ) أى : اذكره ذكراً فى نفسك وذكراً بلسانك دون الجهر .
القول في تأويل قوله : وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالآصَالِ وَلا تَكُنْ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ (205)قال أبو جعفر: يقول تعالى ذكره: (واذكر) أيُّها المستمع المنصت للقرآن، إذا قرئ في صلاة أو خطبة (72) =، (ربك في نفسك)، يقول: اتعظ بما في آي القرآن, واعتبر به, وتذكر معادك إليه عند سماعكه =(تضرعًا)، يقول: افعل ذلك تخشعًا لله وتواضعًا له. (73) (وخيفة)، يقول: وخوفًا من الله أن يعاقبك على تقصير يكون منك في الاتعاظ به والاعتبار, وغفلة عما بين الله فيه من حدوده. (74) =( ودون الجهر من القول)، يقول: ودعاء باللسان لله في خفاء لا جهار. (75) يقول: ليكن ذكر الله عند استماعك القرآن في دعاء إن دعوت غير جهار، ولكن في خفاء من القول، كما:-15619 - حدثني يونس قال: أخبرنا ابن وهب قال: قال ابن زيد, في قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعًا وخيفة ودون الجهر من القول)، لا يجهر بذلك.15620 - حدثني الحارث قال: حدثنا عبد العزيز قال: حدثنا أبو سعد قال: سمعت مجاهدًا يقول في قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعًا وخيفة ودون الجهر من القول)، الآية قال: أمروا أن يذكروه في الصدور تضرعًا وخيفة.15621 - حدثنا الحسن بن يحيى قال: أخبرنا عبد الرزاق قال: أخبرنا ابن التيمي, عن أبيه, عن حيان بن عمير, عن عبيد بن عمير, في قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك) قال: " يقول الله إذا ذكرني عبدي في نفسه, ذكرته في نفسي, وإذا ذكرني عبدي وحده ذكرته وحدي, وإذا ذكرني في ملإ ذكرته في أحسنَ منهم وأكرم ". (76)15622 - حدثنا القاسم قال: حدثنا الحسين قال: حدثني حجاج, عن ابن جريج, قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعًا وخيفة) قال: يؤمر بالتضرع في الدعاء والاستكانة, ويكره رفع الصوت والنداء والصياح بالدعاء.* * *وأما قوله: (بالغدو والآصال)، فإنه يعني بالبُكَر والعشِيَّات.* * *وأما " الآصال " فجمع، واختلف أهل العربية فيها.فقال بعضهم: هي جمع " أصيل ", كما " الأيمان " جمع " يمين ", و " الأسرار " جمع " سرير ". (77)* * *وقال آخرون منهم: هي جمع " أصُل ", و " الأصُل " جمع " أصيل ". (78)* * *وقال آخرون منهم: هي جمع " أصل " و " أصيل ". قال: وإن شئت جعلت " الأصُل " جمعًا ل " لأصيل ", وإن شئت جعلته واحدًا. قال: والعرب تقول: " قد دنا الأصُل " فيجعلونه واحدًا.* * *قال أبو جعفر: وهذا القول أولى بالصواب في ذلك, وهو أنه جائز أن يكون جمع " أصيل " و " أصُل ", لأنهما قد يجمعان على أفعال. وأما " الآصال "، فهي فيما يقال في كلام العرب: ما بين العصر إلى المغرب.* * *وأما قوله: (ولا تكن من الغافلين)، فإنه يقول: ولا تكن من اللاهين إذا قرئ القرآن عن عظاته وعبره, وما فيه من عجائبه, ولكن تدبر ذلك وتفهمه, وأشعره قلبك بذكر الله، (79) وخضوعٍ له، وخوفٍ من قدرة الله عليك, إن أنت غفلت عن ذلك.15623 - حدثني يونس قال: أخبرنا ابن وهب قال: قال ابن زيد, في قوله: (بالغدو والآصال) قال: بالبكر والعشي =( ولا تكن من الغافلين).15624 - حدثني الحارث قال: حدثنا عبد العزيز قال: حدثنا معرّف بن واصل السعدي, قال: سمعت أبا وائل يقول لغلامه عند مغيب الشمس: آصَلْنا بعدُ؟ (80)15625 - حدثنا القاسم قال: حدثنا الحسين قال: ثني حجاج قال: قال ابن جريج قال مجاهد, قوله: (بالغدو والآصال) قال: " الغدو "، آخر الفجر، صلاة الصبح =(والآصال)، آخر العشي، صلاة العصر. قال: وكل ذلك لها وقت، أول الفجر وآخره. وذلك مثل قوله في " سورة آل عمران ": وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالإِبْكَارِ ، [سورة آل عمران: 41] . وقيل: " العشي": مَيْل الشمس إلى أن تغيب, و " الإبكار ": أول الفجر. (81)15626 - حدثنا ابن وكيع قال: حدثنا أبي, عن محمد بن شريك, عن ابن أبي مليكة, عن ابن عباس, سئل عن [صلاة الفجر, فقال: إنها لفي كتاب الله, ولا يقوم عليها] ..... ثم قرأ: فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالآصَالِ ، الآية [سورة النور: 36 ] . (82)15627 - حدثنا بشر قال: حدثنا يزيد قال: حدثنا سعيد, عن قتادة, قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعًا وخيفة)، إلى قوله: (بالغدو والآصال)، أمر الله بذكره, ونهى عن الغفلة. أما " بالغدو ": فصلاة الصبح = " والآصال ": بالعشي. (83)------------------الهوامش :(72) رد ابن كثير ما ذهب إليه الطبري في تفسير هذه الآية فقال : (( زعم ابن جرير ، وقبله عبد الرحمن بن زيد بن أسلم : أن المراد بها أمر السامع للقرآن في حال استماعه للذكر على هذه الصفة . وهذا بعيد ، مناف للإنصات المأمور به . ثم إن المراد بذلك في الصلاة كما تقدم ، أو في الصلاة والخطبة . ومعلوم أن الإنصات إذ ذاك أفضل من الذكر باللسان ، سواء كان سراً أو جهراً . وهذا الذي قالاه ، لم يتابعا عليه . بل المراد الحض على كثرة الذكر من العباد بالغدو والآصال ، لئلا يكونوا من الغافلين )) . تفسير ابن كثير 3 : 626 ، 627 . وهذا الذي قاله هو الصواب المحض إن شاء الله .(73) انظر تفسير (( التضرع )) فيما سلف 13 : 572 تعليق : 1 ، والمراجع هناك .(74) انظر تفسير (( الخوف )) فيما سلف 9 : 123 ، تعليق : 3 ، والمراجع هناك .(75) انظر تفسير (( الجهر )) فيما سلف 2 : 80 / 9 : 344 ، 358 / 11 : 368 .(76) الأثر : 15621 - (( ابن التيمى )) ، هو : (( معتمر بن سليمان بن طرخان التيمى )) وأبوه (( سليمان بن طرخان التيمى )) ، وقد مضيا مرارًا . و (( حيان بن عمر القيسمى الجريرى )) ، ثقة قليل الحديث روى عن عبد الرحمن بن سمرة ، وابن عباس ، وسمرة بن جندب وغيرهم . روى عنه سليمان التيمى ، وسعيد الجريرى ، وقتاده . مترجم في التهذيب ، وابن سعد 7/1/ 137 ، 165 ، والكبير 2/1/ 50 ، وابن أبي حاتم 1/2/ 244 . و((عبيد بن عمير بن قتادة الجندعى )) ، قاص أهل مكة ، تابعى ثقة من كبار التابعين ، مضى برقم : 9180 ، 9181 ، 9189 ، وغيرها .(77) (( السرير )) الذي جمعه (( أسرار )) ، هو (( سرير الكمأة )) ، وهو ما يكون عليها من التراب والقشور والطين ، وليس للكمأة عروق ، ولكن لها أسرار .(78) مجاز القرآن لأبي عبيدة 1 : 239 .(79) في المخطوطة والمطبوعة : (( بذكر الله )) ، والسياق يتطلب ما أثبت .(80) الأثر : 15624 - (( معرف بن واصل السعدي )) ، (( أبو بدل )) أو (( أبو يزيد )) ، ثقة. كان أمام مسجد بنى عمرو بن سعيد بن تميم ، أمهم ستين سنة ، لم يسه في صلاة قط ، لأنها كانت تهمه . روى عن أبي وائل وإبراهيم التيمى ، والنخعى ، والشعبى . وغيرهم . مترجم في التهذيب ، وابن سعد 6 : 248 ، والكبير 4/2/30 ، وابن أبي حاتم 4 / 1 / 410 .و (( أبو وائل )) هو (( شقيق بن سلمة الأسدى )) ، أدرك النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ولم يره ، حجة في العربية . وقوله : (( آصل )) ، أي : دخل في الأصيل .(81) الأثر : 15625 - آخر هذا الخبر ، مضى برقم : 7024 ، من طريق أخرى .(82) الأثر : 15626 - (( محمد بن شريك المكى )) ، ثقة ، مضى برقم : 10260 ، مترجم في التهذيب ، وابن سعد 5 : 360 ، والكبير 1/1/112 ، وابن أبي حاتم 3/2/284 . وهكذا جاء الخبر في المخطوطة ، كما هو في المطبوعة ، وأنا أكاد أقطع أنه خطأ وتحريف ، وفيه سقط ، ولكنى لم أجد الخبر بإسناده ، فلذلك لم أغيره ، ووجدت نص الخبر بغير إسناد في الدر المنثور 5: 52 ، عن صلاة الضحى ، لا صلاة الفجر ، وهو الصواب إن شاء الله قال :( وأخرج ابن أبي شيبة ، والبيهقي في شعب الإيمان ، عن ابن عباس قال : إن صلاة الضحى لفي القرآن ؟ ، وما يغوص عليها إلا غواص ، في قوله : " فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالآصَالِ " فهذا صواب العبارة ، ولكني وضعت ما كان في المخطوطة والمطبوعة بين قوسين ، لأني لم أجد الخبر بإسناده . ووضعت مكان السقط نقطاً . ثم أتممت الآية إلى غايتها أيضاً .(83) الأثر : 15627 - كان في المخطوطة والمطبوعة : (( ... حدثنا يزيد قال ، حدثنا سويد قال ، حدثنا سعيد ... )) ، زاد في الإسناد (( قال حدثنا سويد )) ، وهو خطأ محض ، وإنما كرر الكتابة كتب (( يزيد )) ، ثم كتب (( سويد ) ، وزاد في الإسناد . وهذا إسناد دائر في التفسير ، آخره رقم : 15598 .
قوله تعالى : ( واذكر ربك في نفسك ) قال ابن عباس : يعني بالذكر : القراءة في الصلاة ، يريد يقرأ سرا في نفسه ، ( تضرعا وخيفة ) خوفا ، أي : تتضرع إلي وتخاف مني هذا في صلاة السر . وقوله : ( ودون الجهر من القول ) أراد في صلاة الجهر لا تجهر جهرا شديدا ، بل في خفض وسكون ، يسمع من خلفك ، وقال مجاهد وابن جريج : أمر أن يذكروه في الصدور بالتضرع إليه في الدعاء والاستكانة دون رفع الصوت والصياح بالدعاء ( بالغدو والآصال ولا تكن من الغافلين ) أي : بالبكر والعشيات ، واحد آصال : أصيل مثل يمين وأيمان ، وهو ما بين العصر والمغرب .
إقبال بالخطاب على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فيما يختص به ، بعد أن أمر بما أمر بتبليغه من الآيات المتقدمة ، والمناسبة في هذا الانتقال أن أمر الناس باستماع القرآن يستلزم أمر الرسول عليه الصلاة والسلام بقراءة القرآن عليهم قراءة جهرية يسمعونها ، فلما فرغ الكلام من حظ الناس نحو قراءة الرسول عليه الصلاة والسلام ، أقبل على الكلام في حظ الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم من القرآن وغيره ، وهو التذكر الخاص به ، فأمر بأن يذكر الله ما استطاع وكيفما تسنى له ، وفي أوقات النهار المختلفة ، فجملة { واذكر ربك } معطوفة على الجمل السابقة من قوله : { إن وليي الله } [ الأعراف : 196 ] إلى هنا .والنفس اسم للقوة التي بها الحياة ، فهي مرادفة الروح ، وتطلق على الذات المركبة من الجسد والروح ، ولكون مقر النفس في باطن الإنسان أطلقت على أمور باطن الإنسان من الإدراك والعقل كما في قوله تعالى حكاية عن عيسى { تعلم ما في نفسي } [ المائدة : 116 ] وقد مضى في سورة المائدة ، ومن ذلك يتطرق إلى إطلاقها على خويصة المرء ، ومنه قوله في الحديث القدسي في «صحيح البخاري» " وإن ذكرني في نفسه ذكرتُه في نفسي وإن ذكرني في ملإٍ ذكرته في ملإٍ خيرِ منهم " فقابل قوله : في نفسه بقوله : في ملإ .والمعنى : اذكر ربك وأنت في خلوتك كما تذكره في مجامع الناس .والذكر حقيقة في ذكر اللسان ، وهو المراد هنا ، ويعضده قوله : { ودونَ الجهر من القول } وذلك يشمل قراءة القرآن وغيرَ القرآن من الكلام الذي فيه تمجيد الله وشكره ونحو ذلك ، مثل كلمة التوحيد والحوقلة والتسبيح والتكبير والدعاء ونحو ذلك .و«التضرع» التذلل ولما كان التذلل يستلزم الخطاب بالصوت المرتفع في عادة العرب كني بالتضرع عن رفع الصوت مراداً به معناه الأصلي والكنائي ، ولذلك قوبل بالخُفيه في قوله { ادعوا ربكم تضرعاً وخفيةً } في أوائل هذه السورة ( 55 ) وقد تقدم .وقوبل التضرع هنا بالخيفة وهي اسم مصدر الخوف ، فهو من المصادر التي جاءت على صيغة الهيئة وليس المراد بها الهيئة ، مثل الشدة ، ولما كانت الخيفة انفعالا نفسياً يجده الإنسان في خاصة نفسه كانت مستلزمة للتخافت بالكلام خشية أن يَشعُر بالمرء من يخافه . فلذلك كني بها هنا عن الإسرار بالقول مع الخوف من الله ، فمقابلتُها بالتضرع طباق في معنيي اللفظين الصريحين ومعنييهما الكناءين ، فكأنه قيل تضرعاً وإعلاناً وخيفة وإسراراً .وقوله : ودون الجهر من القول } هو مقابل لكل من التضرع والخيفة وهو الذكر المتوسط بين الجهر والإسرار ، والمقصود من ذلك استيعاب أحوال الذكر باللسان ، لأن بعضها قد تكون النفس أنشط إليه منها إلى البعض الآخر .و ( الغُدو ) اسم لزمن الصباح وهو النصف الأول من النهار .و ( الآصال ) جمع أصيل وهو العشي وهو النصف الثاني من النهار إلى الغروب .والمقصود استيعاب أجزاء النهار بحسب المتعارف ، فأما الليل فهو زمن النوم ، والأوقات التي تحصل فيها اليقظة خصت بأمر خاص مثل قوله تعالى : { قم الليل إلا قليلاً } [ المزمل : 2 ] على أنها تدخل في عموم قوله : { ولا تكن من الغافلين }.فدل قوله : { ولا تكن من الغافلين } على التحذير من الغفلة عن ذكر الله ولاحد للغفلة ، فإنها تحدد بحال الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو أعلم بنفسه . فإن له أوقاتاً يتلقى فيها الوحي وأوقات شؤون جِبِلّية كالطعام .وهذا الأمر خاص بالرسول عليه الصلاة والسلام ، وكل ما خص به الرسول عليه الصلاة والسلام من الوجوب يستحسن للأمة اقتداؤهم به فيه إلا ما نهوا عنه مثل الوصال في الصوم .وقد تقدم أن نحو { ولا تكن من الغافلين } أشد في الانتفاء وفي النهي من نحو : ولا تغفل ، لأنه يفرض جماعة يحق عليهم وصف الغافلين فيحذر من أن يكون في زمرتهم وذلك أبْين للحالة المنهي عنها .
الذكر للّه تعالى يكون بالقلب، ويكون باللسان، ويكون بهما، وهو أكمل أنواع الذكر وأحواله، فأمر اللّه عبده ورسوله محمدا أصلا وغيره تبعا، بذكر ربه في نفسه، أي: مخلصا خاليا. تَضَرُّعًا أي: متضرعا بلسانك، مكررا لأنواع الذكر، وَخِيفَةً في قلبك بأن تكون خائفا من اللّه، وَجِلَ القلب منه، خوفا أن يكون عملك غير مقبول، وعلامة الخوف أن يسعى ويجتهد في تكميل العمل وإصلاحه، والنصح به. وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ أي: كن متوسطا، لا تجهر بصلاتك، ولا تخافت بها، وابتغ بين ذلك سبيلا. بِالْغُدُوِّ أول النهار وَالآصَالِ آخره، وهذان الوقتان لذكر الله فيهما مزية وفضيلة على غيرهما. وَلا تَكُنْ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ الذين نسوا اللّه فأنساهم أنفسهم، فإنهم حرموا خير الدنيا والآخرة، وأعرضوا عمن كل السعادة والفوز في ذكره وعبوديته، وأقبلوا على من كل الشقاوة والخيبة في الاشتغال به، وهذه من الآداب التي ينبغي للعبد أن يراعيها حق رعايتها، وهي الإكثار من ذكر اللّه آناء الليل والنهار، خصوصا طَرَفَيِ النهار، مخلصا خاشعا متضرعا، متذللا ساكنا، وتواطئا عليه قلبه ولسانه، بأدب ووقار، وإقبال على الدعاء والذكر، وإحضار له بقلبه وعدم غفلة، فإن اللّه لا يستجيب دعاء من قلب غافل لاه.
قوله تعالى واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعا وخيفة ودون الجهر من القول بالغدو والآصال ولا تكن من الغافلينقوله تعالى واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعا وخيفة نظيره ادعوا ربكم تضرعا وخفية وقد تقدم . قال أبو جعفر النحاس : ولم يختلف في معنى واذكر ربك في نفسك أنه في الدعاء . قلت : قد روي عن ابن عباس أنه يعني بالذكر القراءة في الصلاة . وقيل : المعنى اقرأ القرآن بتأمل وتدبر . تضرعا مصدر ، وقد يكون في موضع الحال . وخيفة معطوف عليه . وجمع خيفة خوف ; لأنه بمعنى الخوف ; ذكره النحاس . وأصل خيفة خوفة ، قلبت الواو ياء لانكسار ما قبلها . خاف الرجل يخاف خوفا وخيفة ومخافة ، فهو خائف ، وقوم خوف على الأصل ، وخيف على اللفظ . وحكى الفراء أنه يقال أيضا في جمع خيفة خيف . قال الجوهري : والخيفة الخوف ، والجمع خيف ، وأصله الواو .ودون الجهر أي دون الرفع [ ص: 318 ] في القول . أي أسمع نفسك ; كما قال : وابتغ بين ذلك سبيلا أي بين الجهر والمخافتة . ودل هذا على أن رفع الصوت بالذكر ممنوع . على ما تقدم في غير موضعبالغدو والآصال قال قتادة وابن زيد : الآصال العشيات . والغدو جمع غدوة . وقرأ أبو مجلز " بالغدو والإيصال " وهو مصدر آصلنا ، أي دخلنا في العشي . والآصال جمع أصل ; مثل طنب وأطناب ; فهو جمع الجمع ، والواحد أصيل ، جمع على أصل ; عن الزجاج . الأخفش : الآصال جمع أصيل ; مثل يمين وأيمان . الفراء : أصل جمع أصيل ، وقد يكون أصل واحدا ، كما قال الشاعر :ولا بأحسن منها إذ دنا الأصلالجوهري : الأصيل الوقت بعد العصر إلى المغرب ، وجمعه أصل وآصال وأصائل ; كأنه جمع أصيلة ; قال الشاعر :لعمري لأنت البيت أكرم أهله وأقعد في أفيائه بالأصائلويجمع أيضا على أصلان ; مثل بعير وبعران ; ثم صغروا الجمع فقالوا أصيلان ، ثم أبدلوا من النون لاما فقالوا أصيلال ; ومنه قول النابغة :وقفت فيها أصيلالا أسائلها عيت جوابا وما بالربع من أحدوحكى اللحياني : لقيته أصيلالا .ولا تكن من الغافلين أي عن الذكر .
The Makkans used to ask the Prophet that if he was a Prophet of God why he did not bring miracles from God. It would indeed have been very easy for God to send His messenger with miracles. But if the Prophet had come with miracles, the real purpose of his coming would have been defeated. For instance, let’s suppose he was given a modern car with loudspeakers fixed to it in order to facilitate the communication of his message. One thousand five hundred years ago such a car would surely be a breathtaking miracle. Had this been so, people’s attention would have been diverted from the message. The real purpose of the coming of the prophet was that God’s word should serve to produce deep thinking in the people so that they might use their mental faculties to give deep thought to the words of God in order to purify their souls and establish contact with God. But given miracles, their attention would have been diverted, and they would have been lost in miracles instead of in God. True religion consists of paying attention to the word of God, in order to establish a profound relation with God. The devotee’s heart is softened. He becomes one who always remembers God. His heart and mind are overwhelmed with God’s majesty, making him truly modest and fearful of God. We are told to develop an angelic character in order that we may find the company of angels in the next life. When man frees himself from arrogance, he is so engrossed with God’s marvels expressed in creation that he cannot but remember God always from the innermost recesses of his heart. He attains the level of angels. The highest point for human achievement in his world is that, being a human being, one comes to develop an angelic character.
Commentary
That the Holy Qur'an should be listened to and that due etiquette should be observed when doing so was the subject in previous verses. Described in the present two verses, as held by the majority of commentators, is the injunction to remember Allah, in an absolute sense, as well as its attending etiquette - which includes the recitation of the Qur'an. However, according to Sayyidna ` Abdullah ibn ` Abbas ؓ the word: ذِکر (dhikr: remembrance) as it appears in this verse means the Qur'an, and the rules of etiquette enunciated therein are also related to its recitation. But, this does not make much of a difference because according to the consensus of all, other modes of remembrance (adhkar: plural of dhikr), in addition to the Qur'an, are governed by the same injunction and the same rules of etiquette.
In short, in this verse, human beings have been commanded to remember Allah and told when to do it and how to do it.
Rules of Voiced and Voiceless Remembrance [ Dhikr ]
The first rule of etiquette relates to the doing of Dhikr in a lowered or loud voice. The Holy Qur'an has given two choices about that in this verse. It can be made secretly and voicelessly and it can be made openly and loudly. About the voiceless Dhikr, it was said: وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ which has been translated here literally as 'and remember your Lord in yourself (or, in your heart). This too would, take two forms: (1) That one does not move his tongue and simply thinks of Allah and His attributes in his heart that is known as al-dhikr-al-khafiyy (Dhikr of the heart) or tafakkur (pondering). (2) That one brings his tongue in alignment with what is happening in the deep recesses of his heart, lowers his voice and renders the letters carrying Divine names. The most preferred form of doing it is to first understand the sense of what is being said. Then, in synchronization with it, let him do two things simultaneously: Be fully conscious of its presence in his heart with his span of attention riveted to it and then, verbalize it too. The reason is that this is a form in which the tongue also joins in the Dhikr along with the heart. And if someone were to remain devoted to the thought within his heart alone, without uttering any word from his tongue, that too is a reward-worthy act in its own place. However, the lowest degree of it would be uttering the words of Dhikr but the heart stays denuded with it, even heedless towards it. About a Dhikr like that, the great sage, Rumi said:
بر زبان تسبیح و در دل گا ؤخَر ایں چنییں تسبیح کے دارد اثر
On the tongue, glory to God، Cow and donkey in the heart!
What remembrance is it? How effective will it be?
What sage Rumi means is that Dhikr made through a heedless heart brings no vestiges and blessings of the genuine act of Dhikr. It does not rule out the reward and benefit that may issue forth from what may be a bland verbal Dhikr because there are occasions when this very verbal Dhikr becomes the channel, source and cause of the Dhikr of the heart. The constant utterance of the tongue starts affecting the heart as well. In case that does not materialize, no less is the satisfaction that there is at least one part of the body busy with the Dhikr of Allah. If so, that too is not devoid of its benefits and rewards. Therefore, people who fail to experience peace, attention and sense of presence in their Dhikr and Tasbih (act of remembrance and glorification of Allah) should not abandon it as something useless. They should, rather, continue with it and keep trying to attain the required degree of attention.
The second method of Dhikr has been given within this verse by saying: وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ (and without speaking loudly). It means that it has to be in a lowered voice as compared to a raised voice. In other words, the person who is engaged in the Dhikr of Allah does have the option of doing a voiced Dhikr but its etiquette demands that one should not do it too loudly reaching the outer limits of shouting and screaming. Doing it in an average voice with due regard for the reverence-worthy nature of the activity is better. The fact is that doing the Dhikr of Allah and the recitation of the Qur'an very loudly is a sign of disrespect one has in his heart for the addressee. Is it not that one cannot naturally speak up in a loud voice before someone he reveres by heart? Therefore, when the usual Dhikr of Allah or the recitation of the Qur'an is made vocally, one has to be careful not to let the voice be raised any more than necessary.
To sum up, three methods of the Dhikr of Allah and the recitation of the Qur'an come out of this verse. (1) Concentrate on the Dhikr of the heart only, that is, consider it sufficient to imagine and deliberate on the meanings of the Qur'an, and Dhikr, while keeping the tongue totally unmoved. (2) Also move the tongue along with the Dhikr of the heart, without raising the voice to the level of being heard by others. Both these methods are included under the Divine command of: وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ (And remember your Lord in yourself). (3) The third method of Dhikr is that, alongwith attention by heart, there is a movement of tongue with voice, but it should not be raised any higher than necessary, in fact, it should be limited to the average level. This method has been proposed in the Qur'anic statement: وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ (and without speaking loudly). Another verse of the Qur'an has explained it further by saying: وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا . It commands the Holy Prophet ﷺ that he should not recite the Qur'an in a voice rising too high nor in a voice lowered too much. Instead, he should maintain a middle level between the two - [ 17:110].
This was the instruction given by the Holy Prophet ﷺ to Sayyidna Abu Bakr and Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ about the recitation of the Qur'an in Sa1ah.
According to an authentic Hadith, once the Holy Prophet ﷺ came out of the house late at night. When he reached the house of Sayyidna Abu Bakr ؓ he saw him busy with Salah but he was reciting in a lowered voice. Then he reached the house of Sayyidna ` Umar, ؓ عنہ and saw that he was reciting in a raised voice. When these two companions came to the Holy Prophet ﷺ in the morning, he said to Sayyidna Abu Bakr 'when I went to you last night, I noticed that you were reciting in a lowered voice.' Sayyidna Abu Bakr submitted, 'ya rasiiallah, the One I was reciting for has heard it. That is sufficient.' Similarly, he said to Sayyidna ` Umar, 'you were reciting in a raised voice.' He submitted, 'By raising my voice in the recitation, I intended to drive away sleep and Shaitan both.' Giving his verdict, the Holy Prophet ﷺ instructed Sayyidna Abu Bakr ؓ عنہ to raise his voice a little bit and asked Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ to somewhat lower it. (Abu Dwud)
According to a report in Tirmidhi, some Companions asked Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ about the recitation of the Holy Prophet ﷺ whether he did it in a raised voice or a lowered voice. She said, 'at times he would do it loudly and at others, in a lowered voice. He recited both ways.'
Some early elders have favored reciting loudly during nafl Salah at night and in recitations outside the Salah, while some others have preferred reciting softly in a lowered voice. Therefore, Imam Abu Hanifah (رح) has said that the person reciting has the choice of reciting either way. However, it is unanimously agreed that reciting loudly has some conditions to it. Firstly, there should be no apprehension of showing off in doing so. Secondly, the voice of the person reciting should not cause any inconvenience or pain to others. For example, it should not interfere in the Salah or recitation being made by others, or in their work, or rest. Under such eventualities, reciting in a low voice is more meritorious as unanimously held by all.
Then, the rule that applies to the recitation of the Qur'an also applies to other Adhkar and Tasbihat in that these could be made in a voice loud or low. It is permissible to do it either way - subject to the condition that the voice should not be so loud as to be against the norms of humbleness of heart and the formal etiquette of spiritual devotion. In addition to that, the voice of the person so engaged in remembering Allah and glorifying Him should cause no disruption in the activities of people working or resting.
As to what is more meritorious - loud or low - it depends on who is doing it and under what conditions. The verdict differs. For some, loud is better, for others, low. Then, there are times when loud is better and there are other times when keeping it low or voiceless is beneficial. (Tafslr Mazhari, Ruh al-Bayan etc.)
The second rule of etiquette mentioned in the verse under discussion requires that Tilawah and Dhikr should be made humbly which is the outcome of one's realization that Allah Ta` ala is great and most exalted and that one keeps the meaning and sense of what he or she is saying in sight.
The third rule of etiquette comes out from the word: خُفْيَةً (khifah: fear) in this very verse (205). Here, we have been told that one should be in a state of awe and fear while reciting or making Dhikr. As for fear, it means the fear of not being able to do justice to the great task of worshipping Allah and recognizing His greatness - perhaps, we may fall short or do something contrary to His reverence due on us. In addition to that, we have to be actively conscious of our sins and be fearful of His punishment, fearful of what would happen to us in the end for we do not know what and how it will be. So then, Dhikr and Tilawah have to be done in the manner of a person who has been subdued by an aura of awe and fear.
These rules have also appeared in an earlier verse of this very Surah al-A'raf where they relate to prayer: ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً (Supplicate to your Lord humbly and secretly - 7:55). Here, instead of خُفْيَةً (kh 'fah: fear), the word: خُفْيَةً (khufyah: secretly) has been used which means saying it softly in a low voice - as though, it is also a rule of etiquette that Dhikr and Tilawah should be done softly in a lowered voice. But, this verse makes it clear at the same time that doing voiced Dhikr is not prohibited, however, it is subject to the condition that one does not raise his voice more than necessary, definitely not so high as would cause the state of fear and humbleness to disappear.
Given towards the end of the verse are the timings of Dhikr and Tilawah - that it should be done in the mornings and evenings. It could also mean that one should be busy with the remembrance of Allah at least twice a day in the morning and the evening. And it is also possible that by saying mornings and evenings, the reference is to all timings of the day and night on the analogy of saying East and West and thereby meaning the whole world. If so, the verse would mean that one must remain committed to Dhikr and Tilawah always, under all conditions. Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ says that the Holy Prophet ﷺ was devoted to the remembrance of Allah at all times and under all conditions.
At the end of the verse, it was said: وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِين is (and do not be among the heedless) which means that abandoning the remembrance of Allah and joining the heedless is a great loss.
The last verse (206) depicts the particular state and style of those close to Allah so that others may learn their lesson from it. It is said that those who are close to Allah Ta` ala show no arrogance against worshipping Him. Being 'with' Allah Ta` ala means being among those approved of and accepted by Him. This includes all angels and all blessed prophets and the most righteous men and women of the Muslim community. As for the sense of arrogance in this context, it means that they do not assume airs and do not fall short in their acts of worship on the false assumption of being big and special. Instead of doing anything of that sort, they take themselves to be weak and needy before Allah and keep devoting themselves to His remembrance, worship and glorification showing their ultimate humility by pros-trating before their Lord in sajdah.
From here, we also learn that people who are blessed with the ability to engage in perpetual worship and remembrance of Allah are blessed with the sign that they are ` with' Allah all the time and fortunate to have His company.
(And do thou (O Muhammad) remember thy Lord within thyself) recite alone by yourself, O Muhammad, if you are leading the prayer (humbly and with awe, below your breath) avoiding to raise your voice too loudly or lowering it too much, (at morn and evening) during the morning prayer and in evening prayer: Maghrib and 'Isha'. (And be you not of the neglectful) of reciting the Qur'an in prayers whether you are praying alone or leading the prayer.
And remember your Lord inwardly, humbly and fearfully�[Sahl was asked], �What is the true reality of remembrance (ḥaqīqat al-dhikr)?� He answered:It is the realisation (taḥqīq) of the knowledge that God, Exalted is He, witnesses you, and it is that you see Him close to you with your heart. Thus, you feel shame before Him and give Him priority over yourself in all your affairs.Then he said:The one who claims to keep remembrance (dhikr) is not necessarily one who [truly] remembers [God] (dhākir).He was asked, �What is the meaning of the saying of the Prophet : �The world is accursed and what it contains is accursed save the remembrance of God (dhikr Allāh), most High?�� [He replied]:His saying �the remembrance of God� here means renouncing what is unlawful (zuhd ʿan al-ḥarām), that is, when something unlawful comes a person�s way he remembers God, Exalted is He, and he knows that God is watching him, so he avoids that unlawful thing. His words:�and do not be one of the heedless�Sahl said:In truth I say to you without any falsehood, in certainty without a doubt, that any person who spends a breath in other than God�s remembrance does so while being heedless of God, Mighty and Majestic is He.He also said:Heedlessness (ghafla) among the elite (khāṣṣ) is acquiescing (sukūn) in anything [other than Him]. Heedlessness among the generality (ʿāmm) is taking pride (iftikhār) in anything [other than Him], that is to say, it is [also] acquiescing (sukūn) [in other than Him]. His words, Exalted is He:
Remembering Allah in the Mornings and Afternoons
Allah ordains that He be remembered more often in the mornings and the afternoons. Just as He ordered that He be worshipped during these two times when He said,
وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ الْغُرُوبِ
(And glorify the praises of your Lord, before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting.) 50:39 Before the night of Isra', when the five daily prayers were ordained, this Ayah was revealed in Makkah ordering that Allah be worshipped at these times, Allah said next,
تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً
(humbly and with fear) meaning, remember your Lord in secret, not loudly, with eagerness and fear. This is why Allah said next,
وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ
(and without loudness in words). Therefore, it is recommended that remembering Allah in Dhikr is not performed in a loud voice. When the Companions asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, "Is our Lord close, so that we call Him in secret, or far, so that we raise our voices" Allah sent down the verse,
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ
(And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor).) 2:186 In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said, "The people raised their voices with Du`a' (invoking Allah) while travelling. The Prophet said to them,
«يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ارْبَعُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ، فَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَدْعُونَ أَصَمَّ وَلَا غَائِبًا إِنَّ الَّذِي تَدْعُونَهُ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ أَقْرَبُ إِلَى أَحَدِكُمْ مِنْ عُنُقِ رَاحِلِته»
(O people! Take it easy on yourselves, for He Whom you are calling is not deaf or absent. Verily, He Whom you are calling is the All-Hearer, close (by His knowledge), closer to one of you than the neck of his animal.)" These texts encourage the servants to invoke Allah in Dhikr often, especially in the mornings and afternoons, so that they are not among those who neglect remembering Him. This is why Allah praised the angels who praise Him night and day without tiring,
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ
(Surely, those who are with your Lord (i.e., angels) are never too proud to perform acts of worship to Him) Allah reminded the servants of this fact so that they imitate the angels in their tireless worship and obedience of Allah. Prostration, here, upon the mention that the angels prostrate to Allah is legitimate. A Hadith reads;
«أَلَا تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ الْأُوَلَ فَالْأُوَلَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّف»
(Why not you stand in line (for the prayer) like the angels stand in line before their Lord They continue the first then the next lines and they stand close to each other in line. ) This is the first place in the Qur'an where it has been legitimized -- according to the agreement of the scholars -- for the readers of the Qur'an, and those listening to its recitation, to perform prostration.
And remember thy Lord in thyself. The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him. The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
And remember thy Lord in thyself. The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him. The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
And remember thy Lord in thyself. The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him. The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
And remember thy Lord in thyself. The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him. The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
And remember thy Lord in thyself.The rememberers are three men: One remembers with the tongue while the heart is unaware. Another remembers with both tongue and heart, but his work is in danger, as has been said, " The self-purifiers are in grave danger. " Still another is silent with the tongue but his heart is drowned in Him.The Pir of the Tariqah said, " O God, how can I remember, for I myself am all remembrance? I have given the harvest of my marks to the wind. How can I remember Him whom I have not for- gotten? O remembrance of the spirits, remembered by the hearts, and mentioned by the tongues! Remember me with Your bounty and make me happy with gentle remembrance! "
القول في تأويل قوله : وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالآصَالِ وَلا تَكُنْ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ (205)قال أبو جعفر: يقول تعالى ذكره: (واذكر) أيُّها المستمع المنصت للقرآن، إذا قرئ في صلاة أو خطبة (72) =، (ربك في نفسك)، يقول: اتعظ بما في آي القرآن, واعتبر به, وتذكر معادك إليه عند سماعكه =(تضرعًا)، يقول: افعل ذلك تخشعًا لله وتواضعًا له. (73) (وخيفة)، يقول: وخوفًا من الله أن يعاقبك على تقصير يكون منك في الاتعاظ به والاعتبار, وغفلة عما بين الله فيه من حدوده. (74) =( ودون الجهر من القول)، يقول: ودعاء باللسان لله في خفاء لا جهار. (75) يقول: ليكن ذكر الله عند استماعك القرآن في دعاء إن دعوت غير جهار، ولكن في خفاء من القول، كما:-15619 - حدثني يونس قال: أخبرنا ابن وهب قال: قال ابن زيد, في قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعًا وخيفة ودون الجهر من القول)، لا يجهر بذلك.15620 - حدثني الحارث قال: حدثنا عبد العزيز قال: حدثنا أبو سعد قال: سمعت مجاهدًا يقول في قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعًا وخيفة ودون الجهر من القول)، الآية قال: أمروا أن يذكروه في الصدور تضرعًا وخيفة.15621 - حدثنا الحسن بن يحيى قال: أخبرنا عبد الرزاق قال: أخبرنا ابن التيمي, عن أبيه, عن حيان بن عمير, عن عبيد بن عمير, في قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك) قال: " يقول الله إذا ذكرني عبدي في نفسه, ذكرته في نفسي, وإذا ذكرني عبدي وحده ذكرته وحدي, وإذا ذكرني في ملإ ذكرته في أحسنَ منهم وأكرم ". (76)15622 - حدثنا القاسم قال: حدثنا الحسين قال: حدثني حجاج, عن ابن جريج, قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعًا وخيفة) قال: يؤمر بالتضرع في الدعاء والاستكانة, ويكره رفع الصوت والنداء والصياح بالدعاء.* * *وأما قوله: (بالغدو والآصال)، فإنه يعني بالبُكَر والعشِيَّات.* * *وأما " الآصال " فجمع، واختلف أهل العربية فيها.فقال بعضهم: هي جمع " أصيل ", كما " الأيمان " جمع " يمين ", و " الأسرار " جمع " سرير ". (77)* * *وقال آخرون منهم: هي جمع " أصُل ", و " الأصُل " جمع " أصيل ". (78)* * *وقال آخرون منهم: هي جمع " أصل " و " أصيل ". قال: وإن شئت جعلت " الأصُل " جمعًا ل " لأصيل ", وإن شئت جعلته واحدًا. قال: والعرب تقول: " قد دنا الأصُل " فيجعلونه واحدًا.* * *قال أبو جعفر: وهذا القول أولى بالصواب في ذلك, وهو أنه جائز أن يكون جمع " أصيل " و " أصُل ", لأنهما قد يجمعان على أفعال. وأما " الآصال "، فهي فيما يقال في كلام العرب: ما بين العصر إلى المغرب.* * *وأما قوله: (ولا تكن من الغافلين)، فإنه يقول: ولا تكن من اللاهين إذا قرئ القرآن عن عظاته وعبره, وما فيه من عجائبه, ولكن تدبر ذلك وتفهمه, وأشعره قلبك بذكر الله، (79) وخضوعٍ له، وخوفٍ من قدرة الله عليك, إن أنت غفلت عن ذلك.15623 - حدثني يونس قال: أخبرنا ابن وهب قال: قال ابن زيد, في قوله: (بالغدو والآصال) قال: بالبكر والعشي =( ولا تكن من الغافلين).15624 - حدثني الحارث قال: حدثنا عبد العزيز قال: حدثنا معرّف بن واصل السعدي, قال: سمعت أبا وائل يقول لغلامه عند مغيب الشمس: آصَلْنا بعدُ؟ (80)15625 - حدثنا القاسم قال: حدثنا الحسين قال: ثني حجاج قال: قال ابن جريج قال مجاهد, قوله: (بالغدو والآصال) قال: " الغدو "، آخر الفجر، صلاة الصبح =(والآصال)، آخر العشي، صلاة العصر. قال: وكل ذلك لها وقت، أول الفجر وآخره. وذلك مثل قوله في " سورة آل عمران ": وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالإِبْكَارِ ، [سورة آل عمران: 41] . وقيل: " العشي": مَيْل الشمس إلى أن تغيب, و " الإبكار ": أول الفجر. (81)15626 - حدثنا ابن وكيع قال: حدثنا أبي, عن محمد بن شريك, عن ابن أبي مليكة, عن ابن عباس, سئل عن [صلاة الفجر, فقال: إنها لفي كتاب الله, ولا يقوم عليها] ..... ثم قرأ: فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالآصَالِ ، الآية [سورة النور: 36 ] . (82)15627 - حدثنا بشر قال: حدثنا يزيد قال: حدثنا سعيد, عن قتادة, قوله: (واذكر ربك في نفسك تضرعًا وخيفة)، إلى قوله: (بالغدو والآصال)، أمر الله بذكره, ونهى عن الغفلة. أما " بالغدو ": فصلاة الصبح = " والآصال ": بالعشي. (83)------------------الهوامش :(72) رد ابن كثير ما ذهب إليه الطبري في تفسير هذه الآية فقال : (( زعم ابن جرير ، وقبله عبد الرحمن بن زيد بن أسلم : أن المراد بها أمر السامع للقرآن في حال استماعه للذكر على هذه الصفة . وهذا بعيد ، مناف للإنصات المأمور به . ثم إن المراد بذلك في الصلاة كما تقدم ، أو في الصلاة والخطبة . ومعلوم أن الإنصات إذ ذاك أفضل من الذكر باللسان ، سواء كان سراً أو جهراً . وهذا الذي قالاه ، لم يتابعا عليه . بل المراد الحض على كثرة الذكر من العباد بالغدو والآصال ، لئلا يكونوا من الغافلين )) . تفسير ابن كثير 3 : 626 ، 627 . وهذا الذي قاله هو الصواب المحض إن شاء الله .(73) انظر تفسير (( التضرع )) فيما سلف 13 : 572 تعليق : 1 ، والمراجع هناك .(74) انظر تفسير (( الخوف )) فيما سلف 9 : 123 ، تعليق : 3 ، والمراجع هناك .(75) انظر تفسير (( الجهر )) فيما سلف 2 : 80 / 9 : 344 ، 358 / 11 : 368 .(76) الأثر : 15621 - (( ابن التيمى )) ، هو : (( معتمر بن سليمان بن طرخان التيمى )) وأبوه (( سليمان بن طرخان التيمى )) ، وقد مضيا مرارًا . و (( حيان بن عمر القيسمى الجريرى )) ، ثقة قليل الحديث روى عن عبد الرحمن بن سمرة ، وابن عباس ، وسمرة بن جندب وغيرهم . روى عنه سليمان التيمى ، وسعيد الجريرى ، وقتاده . مترجم في التهذيب ، وابن سعد 7/1/ 137 ، 165 ، والكبير 2/1/ 50 ، وابن أبي حاتم 1/2/ 244 . و((عبيد بن عمير بن قتادة الجندعى )) ، قاص أهل مكة ، تابعى ثقة من كبار التابعين ، مضى برقم : 9180 ، 9181 ، 9189 ، وغيرها .(77) (( السرير )) الذي جمعه (( أسرار )) ، هو (( سرير الكمأة )) ، وهو ما يكون عليها من التراب والقشور والطين ، وليس للكمأة عروق ، ولكن لها أسرار .(78) مجاز القرآن لأبي عبيدة 1 : 239 .(79) في المخطوطة والمطبوعة : (( بذكر الله )) ، والسياق يتطلب ما أثبت .(80) الأثر : 15624 - (( معرف بن واصل السعدي )) ، (( أبو بدل )) أو (( أبو يزيد )) ، ثقة. كان أمام مسجد بنى عمرو بن سعيد بن تميم ، أمهم ستين سنة ، لم يسه في صلاة قط ، لأنها كانت تهمه . روى عن أبي وائل وإبراهيم التيمى ، والنخعى ، والشعبى . وغيرهم . مترجم في التهذيب ، وابن سعد 6 : 248 ، والكبير 4/2/30 ، وابن أبي حاتم 4 / 1 / 410 .و (( أبو وائل )) هو (( شقيق بن سلمة الأسدى )) ، أدرك النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ولم يره ، حجة في العربية . وقوله : (( آصل )) ، أي : دخل في الأصيل .(81) الأثر : 15625 - آخر هذا الخبر ، مضى برقم : 7024 ، من طريق أخرى .(82) الأثر : 15626 - (( محمد بن شريك المكى )) ، ثقة ، مضى برقم : 10260 ، مترجم في التهذيب ، وابن سعد 5 : 360 ، والكبير 1/1/112 ، وابن أبي حاتم 3/2/284 . وهكذا جاء الخبر في المخطوطة ، كما هو في المطبوعة ، وأنا أكاد أقطع أنه خطأ وتحريف ، وفيه سقط ، ولكنى لم أجد الخبر بإسناده ، فلذلك لم أغيره ، ووجدت نص الخبر بغير إسناد في الدر المنثور 5: 52 ، عن صلاة الضحى ، لا صلاة الفجر ، وهو الصواب إن شاء الله قال :( وأخرج ابن أبي شيبة ، والبيهقي في شعب الإيمان ، عن ابن عباس قال : إن صلاة الضحى لفي القرآن ؟ ، وما يغوص عليها إلا غواص ، في قوله : " فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالآصَالِ " فهذا صواب العبارة ، ولكني وضعت ما كان في المخطوطة والمطبوعة بين قوسين ، لأني لم أجد الخبر بإسناده . ووضعت مكان السقط نقطاً . ثم أتممت الآية إلى غايتها أيضاً .(83) الأثر : 15627 - كان في المخطوطة والمطبوعة : (( ... حدثنا يزيد قال ، حدثنا سويد قال ، حدثنا سعيد ... )) ، زاد في الإسناد (( قال حدثنا سويد )) ، وهو خطأ محض ، وإنما كرر الكتابة كتب (( يزيد )) ، ثم كتب (( سويد ) ، وزاد في الإسناد . وهذا إسناد دائر في التفسير ، آخره رقم : 15598 .
The Makkans used to ask the Prophet that if he was a Prophet of God why he did not bring miracles from God. It would indeed have been very easy for God to send His messenger with miracles. But if the Prophet had come with miracles, the real purpose of his coming would have been defeated. For instance, let’s suppose he was given a modern car with loudspeakers fixed to it in order to facilitate the communication of his message. One thousand five hundred years ago such a car would surely be a breathtaking miracle. Had this been so, people’s attention would have been diverted from the message. The real purpose of the coming of the prophet was that God’s word should serve to produce deep thinking in the people so that they might use their mental faculties to give deep thought to the words of God in order to purify their souls and establish contact with God. But given miracles, their attention would have been diverted, and they would have been lost in miracles instead of in God. True religion consists of paying attention to the word of God, in order to establish a profound relation with God. The devotee’s heart is softened. He becomes one who always remembers God. His heart and mind are overwhelmed with God’s majesty, making him truly modest and fearful of God. We are told to develop an angelic character in order that we may find the company of angels in the next life. When man frees himself from arrogance, he is so engrossed with God’s marvels expressed in creation that he cannot but remember God always from the innermost recesses of his heart. He attains the level of angels. The highest point for human achievement in his world is that, being a human being, one comes to develop an angelic character.
Commentary
That the Holy Qur'an should be listened to and that due etiquette should be observed when doing so was the subject in previous verses. Described in the present two verses, as held by the majority of commentators, is the injunction to remember Allah, in an absolute sense, as well as its attending etiquette - which includes the recitation of the Qur'an. However, according to Sayyidna ` Abdullah ibn ` Abbas ؓ the word: ذِکر (dhikr: remembrance) as it appears in this verse means the Qur'an, and the rules of etiquette enunciated therein are also related to its recitation. But, this does not make much of a difference because according to the consensus of all, other modes of remembrance (adhkar: plural of dhikr), in addition to the Qur'an, are governed by the same injunction and the same rules of etiquette.
In short, in this verse, human beings have been commanded to remember Allah and told when to do it and how to do it.
Rules of Voiced and Voiceless Remembrance [ Dhikr ]
The first rule of etiquette relates to the doing of Dhikr in a lowered or loud voice. The Holy Qur'an has given two choices about that in this verse. It can be made secretly and voicelessly and it can be made openly and loudly. About the voiceless Dhikr, it was said: وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ which has been translated here literally as 'and remember your Lord in yourself (or, in your heart). This too would, take two forms: (1) That one does not move his tongue and simply thinks of Allah and His attributes in his heart that is known as al-dhikr-al-khafiyy (Dhikr of the heart) or tafakkur (pondering). (2) That one brings his tongue in alignment with what is happening in the deep recesses of his heart, lowers his voice and renders the letters carrying Divine names. The most preferred form of doing it is to first understand the sense of what is being said. Then, in synchronization with it, let him do two things simultaneously: Be fully conscious of its presence in his heart with his span of attention riveted to it and then, verbalize it too. The reason is that this is a form in which the tongue also joins in the Dhikr along with the heart. And if someone were to remain devoted to the thought within his heart alone, without uttering any word from his tongue, that too is a reward-worthy act in its own place. However, the lowest degree of it would be uttering the words of Dhikr but the heart stays denuded with it, even heedless towards it. About a Dhikr like that, the great sage, Rumi said:
بر زبان تسبیح و در دل گا ؤخَر ایں چنییں تسبیح کے دارد اثر
On the tongue, glory to God، Cow and donkey in the heart!
What remembrance is it? How effective will it be?
What sage Rumi means is that Dhikr made through a heedless heart brings no vestiges and blessings of the genuine act of Dhikr. It does not rule out the reward and benefit that may issue forth from what may be a bland verbal Dhikr because there are occasions when this very verbal Dhikr becomes the channel, source and cause of the Dhikr of the heart. The constant utterance of the tongue starts affecting the heart as well. In case that does not materialize, no less is the satisfaction that there is at least one part of the body busy with the Dhikr of Allah. If so, that too is not devoid of its benefits and rewards. Therefore, people who fail to experience peace, attention and sense of presence in their Dhikr and Tasbih (act of remembrance and glorification of Allah) should not abandon it as something useless. They should, rather, continue with it and keep trying to attain the required degree of attention.
The second method of Dhikr has been given within this verse by saying: وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ (and without speaking loudly). It means that it has to be in a lowered voice as compared to a raised voice. In other words, the person who is engaged in the Dhikr of Allah does have the option of doing a voiced Dhikr but its etiquette demands that one should not do it too loudly reaching the outer limits of shouting and screaming. Doing it in an average voice with due regard for the reverence-worthy nature of the activity is better. The fact is that doing the Dhikr of Allah and the recitation of the Qur'an very loudly is a sign of disrespect one has in his heart for the addressee. Is it not that one cannot naturally speak up in a loud voice before someone he reveres by heart? Therefore, when the usual Dhikr of Allah or the recitation of the Qur'an is made vocally, one has to be careful not to let the voice be raised any more than necessary.
To sum up, three methods of the Dhikr of Allah and the recitation of the Qur'an come out of this verse. (1) Concentrate on the Dhikr of the heart only, that is, consider it sufficient to imagine and deliberate on the meanings of the Qur'an, and Dhikr, while keeping the tongue totally unmoved. (2) Also move the tongue along with the Dhikr of the heart, without raising the voice to the level of being heard by others. Both these methods are included under the Divine command of: وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ (And remember your Lord in yourself). (3) The third method of Dhikr is that, alongwith attention by heart, there is a movement of tongue with voice, but it should not be raised any higher than necessary, in fact, it should be limited to the average level. This method has been proposed in the Qur'anic statement: وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ (and without speaking loudly). Another verse of the Qur'an has explained it further by saying: وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا . It commands the Holy Prophet ﷺ that he should not recite the Qur'an in a voice rising too high nor in a voice lowered too much. Instead, he should maintain a middle level between the two - [ 17:110].
This was the instruction given by the Holy Prophet ﷺ to Sayyidna Abu Bakr and Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ about the recitation of the Qur'an in Sa1ah.
According to an authentic Hadith, once the Holy Prophet ﷺ came out of the house late at night. When he reached the house of Sayyidna Abu Bakr ؓ he saw him busy with Salah but he was reciting in a lowered voice. Then he reached the house of Sayyidna ` Umar, ؓ عنہ and saw that he was reciting in a raised voice. When these two companions came to the Holy Prophet ﷺ in the morning, he said to Sayyidna Abu Bakr 'when I went to you last night, I noticed that you were reciting in a lowered voice.' Sayyidna Abu Bakr submitted, 'ya rasiiallah, the One I was reciting for has heard it. That is sufficient.' Similarly, he said to Sayyidna ` Umar, 'you were reciting in a raised voice.' He submitted, 'By raising my voice in the recitation, I intended to drive away sleep and Shaitan both.' Giving his verdict, the Holy Prophet ﷺ instructed Sayyidna Abu Bakr ؓ عنہ to raise his voice a little bit and asked Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ to somewhat lower it. (Abu Dwud)
According to a report in Tirmidhi, some Companions asked Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ about the recitation of the Holy Prophet ﷺ whether he did it in a raised voice or a lowered voice. She said, 'at times he would do it loudly and at others, in a lowered voice. He recited both ways.'
Some early elders have favored reciting loudly during nafl Salah at night and in recitations outside the Salah, while some others have preferred reciting softly in a lowered voice. Therefore, Imam Abu Hanifah (رح) has said that the person reciting has the choice of reciting either way. However, it is unanimously agreed that reciting loudly has some conditions to it. Firstly, there should be no apprehension of showing off in doing so. Secondly, the voice of the person reciting should not cause any inconvenience or pain to others. For example, it should not interfere in the Salah or recitation being made by others, or in their work, or rest. Under such eventualities, reciting in a low voice is more meritorious as unanimously held by all.
Then, the rule that applies to the recitation of the Qur'an also applies to other Adhkar and Tasbihat in that these could be made in a voice loud or low. It is permissible to do it either way - subject to the condition that the voice should not be so loud as to be against the norms of humbleness of heart and the formal etiquette of spiritual devotion. In addition to that, the voice of the person so engaged in remembering Allah and glorifying Him should cause no disruption in the activities of people working or resting.
As to what is more meritorious - loud or low - it depends on who is doing it and under what conditions. The verdict differs. For some, loud is better, for others, low. Then, there are times when loud is better and there are other times when keeping it low or voiceless is beneficial. (Tafslr Mazhari, Ruh al-Bayan etc.)
The second rule of etiquette mentioned in the verse under discussion requires that Tilawah and Dhikr should be made humbly which is the outcome of one's realization that Allah Ta` ala is great and most exalted and that one keeps the meaning and sense of what he or she is saying in sight.
The third rule of etiquette comes out from the word: خُفْيَةً (khifah: fear) in this very verse (205). Here, we have been told that one should be in a state of awe and fear while reciting or making Dhikr. As for fear, it means the fear of not being able to do justice to the great task of worshipping Allah and recognizing His greatness - perhaps, we may fall short or do something contrary to His reverence due on us. In addition to that, we have to be actively conscious of our sins and be fearful of His punishment, fearful of what would happen to us in the end for we do not know what and how it will be. So then, Dhikr and Tilawah have to be done in the manner of a person who has been subdued by an aura of awe and fear.
These rules have also appeared in an earlier verse of this very Surah al-A'raf where they relate to prayer: ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً (Supplicate to your Lord humbly and secretly - 7:55). Here, instead of خُفْيَةً (kh 'fah: fear), the word: خُفْيَةً (khufyah: secretly) has been used which means saying it softly in a low voice - as though, it is also a rule of etiquette that Dhikr and Tilawah should be done softly in a lowered voice. But, this verse makes it clear at the same time that doing voiced Dhikr is not prohibited, however, it is subject to the condition that one does not raise his voice more than necessary, definitely not so high as would cause the state of fear and humbleness to disappear.
Given towards the end of the verse are the timings of Dhikr and Tilawah - that it should be done in the mornings and evenings. It could also mean that one should be busy with the remembrance of Allah at least twice a day in the morning and the evening. And it is also possible that by saying mornings and evenings, the reference is to all timings of the day and night on the analogy of saying East and West and thereby meaning the whole world. If so, the verse would mean that one must remain committed to Dhikr and Tilawah always, under all conditions. Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ says that the Holy Prophet ﷺ was devoted to the remembrance of Allah at all times and under all conditions.
At the end of the verse, it was said: وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِين is (and do not be among the heedless) which means that abandoning the remembrance of Allah and joining the heedless is a great loss.
The last verse (206) depicts the particular state and style of those close to Allah so that others may learn their lesson from it. It is said that those who are close to Allah Ta` ala show no arrogance against worshipping Him. Being 'with' Allah Ta` ala means being among those approved of and accepted by Him. This includes all angels and all blessed prophets and the most righteous men and women of the Muslim community. As for the sense of arrogance in this context, it means that they do not assume airs and do not fall short in their acts of worship on the false assumption of being big and special. Instead of doing anything of that sort, they take themselves to be weak and needy before Allah and keep devoting themselves to His remembrance, worship and glorification showing their ultimate humility by pros-trating before their Lord in sajdah.
From here, we also learn that people who are blessed with the ability to engage in perpetual worship and remembrance of Allah are blessed with the sign that they are ` with' Allah all the time and fortunate to have His company.
And remember your Lord inwardly, humbly and fearfully�[Sahl was asked], �What is the true reality of remembrance (ḥaqīqat al-dhikr)?� He answered:It is the realisation (taḥqīq) of the knowledge that God, Exalted is He, witnesses you, and it is that you see Him close to you with your heart. Thus, you feel shame before Him and give Him priority over yourself in all your affairs.Then he said:The one who claims to keep remembrance (dhikr) is not necessarily one who [truly] remembers [God] (dhākir).He was asked, �What is the meaning of the saying of the Prophet : �The world is accursed and what it contains is accursed save the remembrance of God (dhikr Allāh), most High?�� [He replied]:His saying �the remembrance of God� here means renouncing what is unlawful (zuhd ʿan al-ḥarām), that is, when something unlawful comes a person�s way he remembers God, Exalted is He, and he knows that God is watching him, so he avoids that unlawful thing. His words:�and do not be one of the heedless�Sahl said:In truth I say to you without any falsehood, in certainty without a doubt, that any person who spends a breath in other than God�s remembrance does so while being heedless of God, Mighty and Majestic is He.He also said:Heedlessness (ghafla) among the elite (khāṣṣ) is acquiescing (sukūn) in anything [other than Him]. Heedlessness among the generality (ʿāmm) is taking pride (iftikhār) in anything [other than Him], that is to say, it is [also] acquiescing (sukūn) [in other than Him]. His words, Exalted is He: