Introduction
Many Muslims use the terms "dhikr" and "adhkar" interchangeably, but understanding the difference helps you build a more structured and effective spiritual practice.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Shall I not inform you of the best of your deeds? Dhikr of Allah." (Tirmidhi, 3377)
Both dhikr and adhkar are forms of remembering Allah, but they serve different purposes in your daily worship.
What is Dhikr? (ذِكْر)
Dhikr (singular) means "remembrance" or "mention" of Allah.
Translation: Remembrance, mention, invocation
Definition: The act of remembering Allah through repeated phrases, glorification, or reflection on His names and attributes.
Examples of dhikr:
- SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)
- Alhamdulillah (All praise is for Allah)
- Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
- La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah)
Characteristics:
- Usually repetitive (100 times, 1000 times)
- Can be done anytime, anywhere
- General remembrance not tied to specific moments
- Flexible and continuous
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like that of the living and the dead." (Bukhari, 6407)
What are Adhkar? (أذكار)
Adhkar (plural of dhikr) means "remembrances" - specific supplications for specific times and situations.
Translation: Supplications, invocations, prescribed remembrances
Definition: A collection of specific duas and phrases the Prophet ﷺ taught for particular occasions, times of day, or situations.
Examples of adhkar:
- Morning adhkar (after Fajr)
- Evening adhkar (after Maghrib)
- Adhkar before sleep
- Adhkar upon waking
- Adhkar after each prayer
- Adhkar when entering the home
Characteristics:
- Time-specific or situation-specific
- Structured and prescribed by the Sunnah
- Complete phrases or duas (not just single words)
- Protective and comprehensive
The Key Difference
Simple explanation:
DHIKR = General, continuous remembrance of Allah
- Like saying SubhanAllah throughout your day
ADHKAR = Specific supplications for specific times
- Like the morning protection duas you say after Fajr
Think of it this way:
- Dhikr is keeping your connection to Allah alive all day
- Adhkar are your daily spiritual checkpoints with specific benefits
When to Use Dhikr
Anytime, anywhere:
Dhikr has no time restrictions. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged constant remembrance.
Best times for general dhikr:
- While commuting
- During work breaks
- While walking
- Waiting in line
- Before sleep
- Throughout the day
Common dhikr practices:
SubhanAllah (سبحان الله)
- Translation: "Glory be to Allah" / "Allah is perfect"
- When: Anytime, especially when seeing Allah's creation
Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله)
- Translation: "All praise is for Allah"
- When: After blessings, after meals, constantly
Allahu Akbar (الله أكبر)
- Translation: "Allah is the Greatest"
- When: Affirming Allah's greatness over everything
La ilaha illallah (لا إله إلا الله)
- Translation: "There is no god but Allah"
- When: The best dhikr, anytime
Astaghfirullah (أستغفر الله)
- Translation: "I seek Allah's forgiveness"
- When: After sins, constantly for opening doors
Recommended amounts:
- 100x SubhanAllah daily
- 100x Alhamdulillah daily
- 100x Allahu Akbar daily
- 100x La ilaha illallah daily
- 100x Astaghfirullah daily
When to Use Adhkar
Time-specific adhkar:
1. Morning Adhkar (أذكار الصباح)
When: After Fajr prayer until sunrise
Key adhkar to recite:
- Ayat al-Kursi (1 time)
- Last 2 verses of Surah Al-Baqarah (1 time)
- Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas (3 times each)
-
"Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma'asmihi shay'un..." (3 times)
- Translation: "In the Name of Allah with Whose Name nothing can harm on earth or in heaven, and He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing"
- Benefit: Complete protection for the day
Why morning adhkar matter: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever says this three times in the morning will not be harmed by anything until evening." (Abu Dawud, 5088)
2. Evening Adhkar (أذكار المساء)
When: After Asr or Maghrib until nightfall
Key adhkar: Repeat the same morning adhkar in the evening for nighttime protection.
3. After-Prayer Adhkar (أذكار بعد الصلاة)
When: Immediately after saying salam in each obligatory prayer
Key adhkar:
- Astaghfirullah (3 times)
-
"Allahumma antas-salam wa minkas-salam..."
- Translation: "O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace..."
- 33x SubhanAllah
- 33x Alhamdulillah
- 34x Allahu Akbar
- Ayat al-Kursi (1 time)
Benefit: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever glorifies Allah after every prayer 33 times... will have his sins forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea." (Muslim, 597)
4. Before Sleep Adhkar (أذكار النوم)
When: Right before going to bed
Key adhkar:
- Ayat al-Kursi
- Last 2 verses of Surah Al-Baqarah
- Blow into hands, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas (3x), wipe over body
-
"Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya"
- Translation: "In Your Name, O Allah, I die and I live"
Benefit: Protection from nightmares, harm, and nighttime fears.
5. Upon Waking Adhkar (أذكار الاستيقاظ)
When: First thing when you wake up
Key dhikr: "Alhamdulillahi alladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur"
- Translation: "All praise is to Allah who gave us life after death (sleep), and to Him is the resurrection"
6. Entering/Leaving Home Adhkar
When entering: "Bismillahi walajna, wa bismillahi kharajna, wa 'alallahi rabbina tawakkalna"
- Translation: "In Allah's Name we enter, in Allah's Name we leave, and upon Allah our Lord we depend"
When leaving: "Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah"
- Translation: "In Allah's Name, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no power or strength except with Allah"
Conclusion
Dhikr is your continuous, flexible connection to Allah throughout the day—simple phrases like SubhanAllah or Alhamdulillah that you can repeat anytime, anywhere.
Adhkar are your structured spiritual checkpoints—specific supplications the Prophet ﷺ taught for particular times (morning, evening, after prayer, before sleep) that provide protection and blessings.
The key: Use dhikr constantly to maintain your connection with Allah, and use adhkar at their prescribed times to build a comprehensive daily spiritual routine. Together, they create a complete practice of remembrance that keeps you protected, grateful, and close to Allah every moment of your day.
"The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like that of the living and the dead." (Bukhari, 6407)