Dhikr of Allah is the most praiseworthy effort to earn Allah’s pleasure and the most deserving of deeds in reward. Allah’s says: “So make remembrance of Me, and I will make remembrance of you”… (Qur’an 2:152)

In the test called life, us busy moms who run around with a to-do list a mile long, can sometimes feel like we are failing. We cross off item after item and still feel like there is not enough time in the day to accomplish everything we need to do. Between picking up the kids from soccer practice, paying bills and cooking a healthy meal, we sometimes lose touch of what is really important. We stand to pray distracted and  things we have still yet to do pop up in our minds during our prayer. We are overworked, over-stressed, and spiritually weak.

We know that Allah does not burden a soul, and that it is only with the remembrance of Allah that hearts truly find peace. So, in order to get that spiritual boost we will be sharing a few easy Athkaar that gives us immense rewards. But before going into that, here are 3 tips to help you get off on a right start:

Write your daily Athkaar on your to do list:

Having a to-do list is a sensible move, because when we write down everything we need to get done for that day we free our minds from having to remember everything. The only thing we often forget to prioritize is our Athkaar especially if we haven’t memorized them yet.

Unplug:

If you’re like me, every spare minute you have, you’re either looking at your phone or iPad. It’s a bad habit, and I try to reduce it because I know a better way to spend this time would be to use it in reading Ahtkaar (remembrance).

Wake up earlier than the family:

You may have developed a new habit of waking up early during Ramadan.  If not, keep in mind that you don’t have to wake up hours before everyone else. You just need enough time to gather yourself together, drink your cup of coffee in peace, read some Athkaar (remember Allaah) and prepare for your the day. Anywhere between 15- 30 minutes should suffice.

Now on to the easy Athkaar that we can all really benefit from:

Worth of reading the whole Quran

Did you know that reading Ikhlaas three times is equivalent to reading the whole Quran?
Narrated from Abu Sa’eed that a man heard another man reciting Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad and repeating it. The next morning he came to the Messenger of Allaah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) and told him about that. The man thought that it was too little, but the Messenger of Allaah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, it is equivalent to one-third of the Qur’aan.” Al-Bukhaari (6643)

Heavy on the Scale

Abu Hurairah (radiyallahu anahu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim (Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection)’.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Better than a long sitting in worship

Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith (radiyallahu anhaa) the Mother of the Believers reported:
The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came out from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there.
The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Are you still in the same position as I left you.”
I replied in the affirmative.
Thereupon the Prophet said:
“I recited four words three times after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier.
These are:
‘Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, `adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinatah `arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi’
(Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the weight of His Throne and equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise).”
(Muslim).

A Thousand Rewards for the Strong

The Messenger of Allaah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
Is one of you so weak that he cannot acquire a thousand good deeds every day? So a questioner from amongst those sitting there asked him:
How can anyone of us gain a thousand rewards?
He said:
say: ‘Subhana-Allahi’
(Far is Allaah from imperfection)
A hundred times, so a thousand good deeds are written for him or a thousand sins are cancelled for him.

A Treasure from Paradise:

The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
Shall I not inform you of a statement, which is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise? I said: Yes O Messenger of Allaah, may my father and mother be sacrificed for you! He said: say:
‘Laa Hawla Wala Quwata Ila Billah’
(There is no capability nor is there any power except with Allaah)

A Shortcut to get 2500 rewards on the scale:

The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
There are two characteristics or two qualities that if a Muslim slave of Allaah is continuous upon, will enter Paradise, they are simple but those who do them are few.
To say SubhanAllaah at the end of every prayer ten times, says alhamdulillah ten times and says Allaahu akbar ten times, which is equivalent to 150 times on the tongue and 1500 on the scales.
And he says Allaahu Akbar 34 times when he goes to bed and he says alhamdulillah 33 times and says SubhanAllaah 33 times, and that is equivalent to 100 on the tongue and 1000 on the scales.




You can download Athkaar Cheat Sheet (here) and I really hope that these ‘easy’ Athkaar will motivate the busiest among us to include some remembrance of Allah into our daily grind but if you need some more inspiration read this story of the The Pious Man and the Shopkeeper.
Note: let’s also remember to make Dua to Allah that He puts barakah in our times 

Do you struggle with consistency and loosing track of your goals in the blessed month of Ramadan? Want proven strategies that will help you hold yourself accountable without spending hours planning? Then hop over here to learn more about Ramadan Reflections- The 10 minute Journal for Daily Reflections.