Dhikr as a fruitful tree

Pr. Mohamed Mzerda writes

"الذكرُ شجرة مُثمرة؛ تثمر أحوالا ومعارف يقصدها السالكون العابدون، وهو يعلم العبد مراقبة الله ويورثه مقام الإحسان والإنابة."

Dr. Zain al-Abidin Belafrige

This can be translated as:

"Dhikr (the remembrance of Allah) is a fruitful tree; it yields spiritual states and knowledge sought by those who tread the spiritual path and those who worship. It teaches the servant the mindfulness of Allah and bequeaths to them the station of excellence and repentance."

Dhikr as a Spiritual Ecosystem

The core of the quote is the metaphor of dhikr as a fruitful tree. This isn't a static image; it implies an entire spiritual ecosystem.

• The Root: The root of this tree is sincerity (ikhlas). Without a genuine intention to remember God and draw closer to Him, the act of dhikr remains hollow and won't produce any fruit.

• The Trunk: The trunk represents consistency and perseverance. Just as a tree requires steady nurturing to grow tall and strong, dhikr requires consistent practice to develop a firm presence in one's heart.

• The Fruits: The fruits are the direct spiritual benefits—"spiritual states and knowledge." These are the tangible changes in one's heart and mind. The knowledge gained isn't from books but from a direct, intuitive understanding of Allah's presence and attributes. The spiritual states are inner peace, contentment, and a profound sense of connection that external circumstances cannot shake.

The Transformative Power of Remembrance

The quote goes further, explaining how this spiritual ecosystem transforms the individual.

• Cultivating Mindfulness (Muraqabah): The quote states that dhikr "teaches the servant the mindfulness of Allah." This is the highest form of awareness. It's the constant, internal recognition that God sees and hears you. This awareness acts as a powerful deterrent from wrongdoing and a motivator for good deeds, as it makes one feel accountable not just to others, but to the Divine.

• Achieving Spiritual Excellence (Ihsan): The ultimate gift of dhikr is that it "bequeaths to them the station of excellence." This is the pinnacle of spiritual aspiration. It's the state of worshiping Allah as if you can see Him, and even if you cannot, knowing with certainty that He sees you. Dhikr is the key to unlocking this state because it trains the heart and mind to be so attuned to the divine presence that it becomes a constant reality, not just an abstract idea.

• The Heart's Return (Inabah): Finally, the quote mentions inabah, or sincere repentance and turning back to Allah. This highlights a crucial aspect of the spiritual journey. Dhikr doesn't lead to a state of perfection where one never sins; rather, it cultivates a heart that is so deeply connected to God that any lapse is immediately followed by a sincere turning back. The tree of dhikr not only produces fruits but also helps heal the wounds of the soul, ensuring that the path back to Allah is always open and welcoming.

In essence, Dr. Belafrige's quote is a beautiful summary of the transformative power of dhikr, showing it as a comprehensive spiritual practice that nourishes the soul, purifies the heart, and elevates the believer to the highest stations of faith.