Just as the body needs food to survive, the soul needs nourishment to remain alive and strong. For a believer, the nourishment of the soul is dhikr the remembrance of Allah. It is the act that connects the heart to its Creator, calms the restless mind, and strengthens faith against the whispers of Shaytan.
In a world filled with distractions, dhikr is the shield that guards the heart and the food that keeps the soul thriving.
THE SOUL’S NEED FOR DHIKR
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
(Qur’an 13:28)
The human heart was created with a void that nothing can fill except closeness to Allah. Wealth, entertainment, and status cannot bring lasting peace only dhikr satisfies the soul’s hunger. Without it, the heart feels empty, restless, and exposed to Shaytan’s whispers.
DHIKR AS A SHIELD AGAINST SHAYTAN
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Shaytan sits in wait for the son of Adam in all his paths.”
(Ahmad)
Shaytan attacks the believer with doubt, fear, arrogance, and desires. But dhikr acts as a barrier that weakens his influence. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that Shaytan flees from a house where Allah is remembered (Muslim).
Simple words like SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar weigh heavily on the scales and drive Shaytan away. Even the act of saying Bismillah before entering the home or eating food prevents Shaytan from joining us.
THE POWER OF CONSTANT REMEMBRANCE
The Prophet ﷺ described dhikr as life itself:
“The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember Him is like that of the living and the dead.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
A heart without dhikr is spiritually dead, vulnerable to sins and despair. But a heart filled with remembrance becomes strong, hopeful, and illuminated with faith.
WAYS TO FEED THE SOUL WITH DHIKR
Morning and evening adhkar: Daily shields of protection taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
Tasbih after salah: Saying SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar as prescribed.
Qur’an recitation: The greatest form of dhikr, filling the heart with light.
Dua: Calling upon Allah in all matters, big and small.
Silent remembrance: Keeping the heart busy with Allah even in the midst of daily work.
CONCLUSION
Dhikr is not just an act of worship it is food for the starving soul and armor against Shaytan’s attacks. The one who remembers Allah walks through life with a heart alive, protected, and at peace.
The believer who feeds their soul with dhikr never feels empty, for they carry Allah in their heart. And the believer who shields themselves with remembrance stands firm, while Shaytan flees in weakness.
Let us nourish our souls with dhikr every day, for a heart that remembers Allah is a heart that truly lives.
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.”
(Qur’an 2:152)
