Dhikr

Dhikr is considered essential in Sufism as it is the primary means of bringing the seeker closer to the Divine Presence[7]. It typically involves the repetition of Allah’s names, verses from the Quran, or other sacred phrases[6]. The goal is to purify the heart and attain a state of spiritual ecstasy or union with the Divine[1][6].

The practice of dhikr is often described as having several stages:

1. Dhikr of the Tongue: This is the initial stage where the practitioner verbally repeats the chosen phrase[7].
2. Dhikr of the Heart: As the practice deepens, the remembrance moves from the tongue to the heart[7].
3. Dhikr of the Secret: In the most advanced stage, the practitioner becomes annihilated in the Divine Presence[7].

The practice you describe is an intensive form of dhikr that follows a specific pattern:

1. 12,000 repetitions of “La ilaha illallah” in 3 days, then 2 days, then 1 day
2. 12,000 repetitions of “Allah” in 3 days, then 2 days, then 1 day
3. Combining both phrases and repeating the process and then
4. both the dhikrs in 1 day

This type of intensive practice is designed to rapidly deepen the spiritual state of the practitioner. The phrase “La ilaha illallah” (There is no god but Allah) is a fundamental declaration of faith in Islam and is often used in Sufi dhikr[1][5]. The name “Allah” alone is also a powerful form of dhikr, believed to encompass all divine attributes[5][7].

While such intensive practices can be spiritually transformative, it’s important to note:

1. Guidance: In Sufi traditions, it’s crucial to undertake such practices under the guidance of a qualified spiritual teacher (sheikh)[7][9].
2. Preparation: The practitioner should be spiritually and mentally prepared for the intensity of the practice[7].
3. Intention: The focus should be on sincere remembrance and connection with the Divine, rather than merely achieving a numerical goal[1][6].

Remember, in Sufism, the ultimate goal of dhikr is not just the repetition of words, but to achieve a state where the practitioner is in constant remembrance of Allah, even without conscious effort[7][8]. As one progresses, the dhikr is said to move from the tongue to the heart, and eventually permeate one’s entire being[7].

Citations:

[1] https://farmofpeace.org/sufi-teachings/

[2] http://nurashkijerrahi.org/all-things-sufi/

[3] https://www.thecontemplativelife.org/dhikr

[4] https://aqrtsufi.org/old/sufism/zikr.html

[5] https://sufinz.com/sufi-path/sufi-zikr-dhikr/

[6] https://africame.factsanddetails.com/article/entry-332.html

[7] https://naqshbandi.org/teachings/topics/the-stages-of-dhikr-and-its-fulfillment/

[8] https://layoga.com/entertainment/art-culture/the-sufi-practice-of-dhikr/

[9] https://naqshbandi.org/practices/dhikr/the-naqshbandi-way-of-dhikr/

[10] https://www.reddit.com/r/Sufism/comments/wgr7rl/the_practice_of_dhikr/

Sufi Orders

“لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ is the best dhikr, and اَلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ is the best supplication.” لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ refers to the entire kalima ṭayyiba (Pure Statement), including muḥammadur rasūlallāh.

It was narrated that Abu Umamah (رضي الله عنه) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) saw me moving my lips and he said to me: “What are you saying, O Abu Umamah?” I said: I am remembering Allah, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “Shall I not tell you of something better or greater than your dhikr of night and day or of day and night? You should say:

سُبْحَانَ اللهِ عَدَدَ مَا خَلَقَ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ مِلْءَ مَا خَلَقَ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ عَدَدَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ مِلْءَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالسَّمَاءِ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ عَدَدَ مَا أَحْصَى كِتَابُهُ، سُبْحَانَ لِلهِ مِلْءَ مَا أَحْصَى كِتَابُهُ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ عَدَدَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ مِلْءَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ

الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ عَدَدَ مَا خَلَقَ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ مِلْءَ مَا خَلَقَ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ عَدَدَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالسَّمَاءِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ مِلْءَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالسَّمَاءِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ عَدَدَ مَا أَحْصَى كِتَابُهُ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ مِلْءَ مَا أَحْصَى كِتَابُهُ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ عَدَدَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ مِلْءَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ

Subhan’Allahi ‘adada ma khalaqa, Subhan’Allahi mil’a ma khalaqa, Subhan’Allahi ‘adada ma fi’l-ardi, Subhan’Allahi mil’a ma fi’l-ardi wa’s-sama’, Subhan’Allahi ‘adada ma ahsa kitaabuhu, Subhan’Allahi mil’a ma ahsa kitabuhu, Subhan’Allahi adada kulli shay’in, Subhan’Allahi mil’a kulli shay’in

Alhamdulillahi ‘adada ma khalaqa, wal-hamdulillahi mil’a ma khalaqa, wal-hamdulillahi ‘adada ma fi’l-ardi wa’s-sama’, wal-hamdulillahi mil’a ma fi’l-ardi wa’s-sama’, wal-hamdulillahi ‘adada ma ahsa kitaabuhu, wal-hamdulillahi mil’a ma ahsa kitabuhu, wal-hamdulillahi adada kulli shay’in, wal-hamdulillahi mil’a kulli shay’in

(Glory be to Allah the number of what He has created, Glory be to Allah filling what He has created, Glory be to Allah the number of what is in earth, Glory be to Allah filling what is in earth and heaven, Glory be to Allah amount of what is enumerated in His Book [Lowhill Mahfooth the Presevered Tablet], Glory be to Allah to what fills his book, Glory be to Allah to the amount of everything, Glory be to Allah to that which fills everything);

(Praise be to Allah to the amount of what He created, and praise be to Allah to the quantity that fills what He created, and praise be to Allah to the amount of what is in the earth and the heavens, and praise be to Allah to the quantity of what fills the earth and the heavens, and praise be to Allah to the amount of what is enumerated in His Book, and praise be to Allah to what fills in His Book, and praise be to Allah to the amount of everything, and praise be to Allah to that which fills everything.’)

[Collected by Ahmad, Ibn Abi Duniya (This wording), Nisa’ee, Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban and al-Hakim and he said ‘Authentic upon the conditions of Bukhari & Muslim’ & authenticated by al-Albani in ‘Saheeh Targheeb wa Tarheeb no. 1575]

(Note: There are a few wordings of this hadith and it’s best to follow them all to apply the sunnah at its best. Please check the individual hadith books for the wordings)
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Shaykh al-Albani said it is ‘Saheeh lighayrihi’ and collected by at-Tabarani with two chains one of which is Hasan and in his wording it says:

‘Shall I not inform you of something that even if you spent the whole night persevering in it you would not be able to achieve it?’

I said: Of course.

The Messenger (ﷺ) said: Say:

الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ عَدَدَ مَا أَحْصَى كِتَابُهُ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ عَدَدَ مَا فِي كِتَابِهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ عَدَدَ مَا أَحْصَى خَلْقُهُ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ عَلَى مَا فِي خَلْقِهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ مِلْءَ سَمَاوَاتِهِ وَأَرْضِهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ عَدَدَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ مِلْءَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ. (وَتُسَبِّحُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ وَتُكَبِّرُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ.)

Ahamdulillahi ‘adada ma ahsa kitaabuhu, wal-hamdulillahi adada ma fi kitabihi, wal-hamdulillahi adada ma ahsa khalquhu, wal-hamdulillahi a’la ma fi khalqihi, wal-hamdulillahi mil’a samawatihi wa ardihi, wal-hamdulillahi adada kulli shay-in, wal-hamdulillahi mil’a kulli shay-in

(Praise be to Allah to the amount of what is enumerated in His Book, praise be to Allah to what fills in His Book, Praise be to Allah to the amount of what He created, praise be to Allah to the quantity that fills what He created, and praise be to Allah to the amount of what is in his heavens and his earth, praise be to Allah to the amount of everything, praise be to Allah to that which fills everything.)

(And glorify Allah (say Subhan’Allah) likewise and say Takbeer (say Allahu’Akbar) likewise.)

In another narration:

‘learn these and teach those who follow you after you.’

[Collected by Nisa’ee in ‘Amal al-Yuam wa Layla’, Ibn Hibban in ‘Saheeh’ & Albaani in ‘Silsilah Saheehah’ No. 2578 and held it to be Hasan. But in other narrations of this Hadeeth al-Albani authenticated it, such as in ‘Saheeh al-Jamia’ no. 2615]

The best way to apply the sunnah is to alternate between the duas or say them both, and Allah knows best.

• The Evening Adhkar - Al-Ratib Al-Shahir by Imam al-Haddad - YouTube
• The Morning Adhkar - Al-Wird al-Latif by Imam al-Haddad - YouTube