What Are Adhkar?
Adhkar (singular: dhikr) are specific phrases of remembrance and supplication that Muslims recite to maintain a connection with Allah throughout the day. They come from the Quran and the authenticated Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
The word "dhikr" literally means "remembrance" in Arabic. Allah says in the Quran:
"Remember Me and I will remember you." (Al-Baqarah, 2:152)
Why Are Morning and Evening Adhkar Important?
The morning and evening adhkar form a spiritual shield (hisn) around the believer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Whoever says in the morning: 'SubhanAllahi wa bihamdih' one hundred times, and in the evening the same, no one will come on the Day of Resurrection with anything better than what he brought, except someone who said the same or more." (Muslim)
These remembrances offer:
- Protection from harm and the evil eye
- Forgiveness of sins
- Peace of heart throughout the day
- Spiritual reward that accumulates continuously
Morning Adhkar — When to Recite
The morning adhkar (adhkar al-sabah) are recited after Fajr prayer until sunrise. Key supplications include:
Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse)
"Allahu la ilaha illa huwa, Al-Hayyu, Al-Qayyum..." (Al-Baqarah, 2:255)
The Prophet said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise except death." (An-Nasa'i)
Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas (3 times each)
These three surahs provide comprehensive protection. The Prophet said: "They are sufficient for you against everything." (Abu Dawud)
Sayyid al-Istighfar (The Master of Seeking Forgiveness)
"Allahumma anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka..."
"Whoever says this with certainty in the morning and dies that day before evening will be among the people of Paradise." (Al-Bukhari)
Evening Adhkar — When to Recite
The evening adhkar (adhkar al-masa') are recited after 'Asr prayer until sunset. They mirror the morning adhkar with slight variations in wording (replacing "sabahtu" with "amsaytu").
The 7 Most Essential Daily Adhkar
- SubhanAllahi wa bihamdih (100x morning and evening) — expiates sins even if they are like the foam of the sea
- Ayat al-Kursi — after each obligatory prayer and before sleep
- The three Quls (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas) — 3x morning and evening
- Sayyid al-Istighfar — morning and evening
- "A'udhu bikalimatillahit-tammati min sharri ma khalaq" (3x evening) — protection from harm
- "Bismillahilladhi la yadurru ma'asmihi shay'un" (3x morning and evening) — protection from sudden harm
- Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa huwa (7x morning and evening) — sufficiency from Allah
How to Build a Daily Dhikr Habit
The key is consistency over quantity. The Prophet said:
"The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if they are small." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Practical tips:
- Set a reminder right after Fajr prayer
- Start with just 5 minutes — the short adhkar take less than 10 minutes total
- Use a tasbih counter (physical or digital) for the counted adhkar
- Read the meaning of each dhikr once — understanding deepens connection
The Fortress of the Muslim (Hisn Al-Muslim)
The most authoritative collection of adhkar is Hisn Al-Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim) by Sheikh Sa'id ibn 'Ali ibn Wahf Al-Qahtani. It contains the authentic supplications for every situation in a Muslim's life — from waking up to sleeping, from entering the home to traveling.
All adhkar on Azkars are sourced directly from this authenticated collection, ensuring you recite only what has been verified as authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
"And the remembrance of Allah is greater." (Al-'Ankabut, 29:45)
