The Practising Muslim · Supplication & Dhikr

Essential Dhikr and Du'a Practices

Test your knowledge of key supplications and remembrances in Islam.

7 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

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7 questions, about 4 minutes.

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1. What is meant by “ash-shaf‘ wa’l-witr” in the dhikr “Allahu akbar kabeera ‘adad ash-shaf‘i wa’l-witr”?

  • The even and the odd, referring broadly to creation and Allah’s oneness. (correct answer)
  • Two specific voluntary prayers after ‘Isha.
  • A formula for seeking refuge from vermin.
  • A required number of rak‘ahs before sleeping.

Why

The report mentions saying “Allahu akbar” by the number of the even and the odd, along with the blessed, perfect words of Allah. The source explains that the even refers broadly to creation, which includes pairs, while the odd refers to Allah, who is One. Another explanation is that everything that exists can be described as even or odd.

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2. What does “Bismika Rabbi wada‘tu janbi wa bika arfa‘uhu” mean?

  • In Your name, my Lord, I lie down, and in Your name I rise. (correct answer)
  • Praise be to Allah who brought us back to life after death.
  • I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytan.
  • O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the Day of Resurrection.

Why

This is one of the authentic bedtime supplications. Before sleeping, a person may dust off the bed, then say this du’a, entrusting their soul to Allah. The full supplication asks Allah for mercy if He takes the soul and protection if He returns it.

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3. What dhikr may be said when putting on any garment, old or new?

  • Al-hamdu Lillah illadhi kasani hadha’th-thawba wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah. (correct answer)
  • Allahumma laka al-hamd, anta kasawtanihi... only in every case.
  • La hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah only.
  • Subhan Allah wa bi hamdihi one hundred times.

Why

There are two clothing-related dhikrs. One is specific to putting on a new garment: asking Allah for its good and seeking refuge from its evil. The other is general and may be said when putting on any garment, whether old or new: praising Allah for clothing and provision without one’s own power or strength. If putting on several items, saying the dhikr once for all of them is likely sufficient.

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4. How many times is “Bismillah illadhi la yadurru ma‘a ismihi shay’un...” recited in the morning and evening?

  • Three times. (correct answer)
  • Once only.
  • Twice only.
  • As a fixed count of one hundred times.

Why

This protective dhikr is recited three times in the morning and three times in the evening. It is among the great morning and evening adhkar that protect from harm by Allah’s leave. However, a person does not recite it on behalf of living family members in a way that suffices them; each Muslim should recite their own adhkar.

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5. What should someone do if they make istighfar but do not see the worldly results they hoped for?

  • Reflect on their own sincerity, focus, hidden sins, and continue thinking well of Allah. (correct answer)
  • Think negatively of Allah because the result was delayed.
  • Stop making istighfar because it did not work immediately.
  • Insist that Allah must give the exact worldly result they wanted.

Why

Istighfar is a means of good provision, blessing, rain, and a good life, but a delayed result does not justify thinking badly of Allah. A person should check whether their istighfar is sincere and focused, whether they are merely saying words without humility, or whether there are sins from which they have not repented. They should also remember that Allah is perfectly wise, and He may withhold a worldly matter because it is better for the person.

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6. What should a person do if they cannot perform all the recommended bedtime adhkar?

  • Do what they are able to do of the most important bedtime adhkar. (correct answer)
  • Leave all bedtime adhkar completely.
  • Invent a shorter replacement and treat it as Sunnah.
  • Delay all bedtime adhkar until after Fajr.

Why

There are many authentic supplications and adhkar before sleep. It is best to do all that one is able to do, such as reciting the last three surahs, Ayat al-Kursiy, the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah, and the narrated bedtime du’as. If doing all of them is not possible, the person should keep to what they can of the most important ones.

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7. What is a major benefit of dhikr when it is accompanied by reflection?

  • It increases faith, fear of Allah, love of Him, and awareness that He is watching. (correct answer)
  • It makes moving the tongue unnecessary.
  • It removes the need to avoid sins.
  • It gives the same complete benefit as heedless words.

Why

The best dhikr is dhikr of both the tongue and the heart. Reflection brings the fuller benefits of remembrance: increased faith, fear of Allah, knowledge of Him, love of Him, shyness before Him, and awareness that He is watching. Verbal dhikr without full focus is still rewarded as a righteous action of the tongue, but it falls short of the fuller benefit.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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