Abud Darda’ reported God's messenger as saying, “Would you like me to tell you the best and purest of your deeds in the estimation of your King, those which raise your degrees highest, those which are better for you than spending gold and silver, and are better for you than that you should meet your enemy and cut off one another's head?” On receiving a reply in the affirmative he said, “It is remembering God.” Malik, Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, but Malik traced it no farther back than Abud Darda’.
Exposition of the Hadith on the Excellence of Dhikr
This noble tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes the supreme virtue of divine remembrance (dhikr) in the spiritual economy of a believer's life. The rhetorical questions posed by the Messenger demonstrate the incomparable value of this practice.
Comparative Excellence of Dhikr
The Prophet enumerates four superior qualities of dhikr: it is the most pure deed before Allah, it elevates spiritual stations most effectively, it surpasses charitable spending of gold and silver, and it exceeds the merit of military jihad where one martyrs the enemy. This hierarchy indicates that internal spiritual struggle through remembrance takes precedence over external forms of worship when considering Allah's pleasure.
Scholarly Commentary on "Your King"
The phrase "your King" (Malikikum) signifies Allah's absolute sovereignty. Just as subjects seek to please their earthly kings through valued services, believers must prioritize what is most beloved to the Divine King - which is constant remembrance of His Essence, Attributes, and Favors.
The Comprehensive Nature of Dhikr
Dhikr encompasses all forms of remembrance: verbal repetition of Allah's names, Quranic recitation, reflective contemplation of divine signs, performance of prescribed prayers, and maintaining Allah-consciousness in all states. The heart's attachment to Allah through constant remembrance transforms all mundane actions into worship.
Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes that the most direct path to divine proximity is through the tongue and heart's engagement with Allah's remembrance. While external jihad has its designated time and place, the internal jihad of purifying the heart through dhikr is perpetual and universally obligatory upon every believer regardless of circumstance.