Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as stating that God says, "I am with my servant when he remembers me and his lips move making mention of me." Bukhari transmitted it.
The Divine Proximity in Remembrance
This noble hadith qudsi, transmitted by Imam Bukhari and recorded in Mishkat al-Masabih 2285, reveals Allah's special proximity to His servant during dhikr. The phrase "I am with my servant" signifies Allah's attentive presence, divine care, and responsive grace when the believer engages in remembrance.
Conditions of Divine Company
The condition "when he remembers me" indicates conscious, heartfelt remembrance beyond mere verbal repetition. The specification "his lips move" shows the importance of audible dhikr, combining internal consciousness with external expression, following the Sunnah of vocal remembrance practiced by the Prophet and his companions.
Spiritual Implications
This hadith teaches that divine companionship is not limited to specific times or places but is available whenever the servant turns to Allah in remembrance. The moving lips signify the physical manifestation of spiritual connection, demonstrating Islam's integration of body and soul in worship. This divine promise encourages consistency in dhikr as a means to maintain constant awareness of Allah's presence.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars emphasize that this divine company manifests through: granting the servant success in obedience, protecting from sin, illuminating the heart with faith, and answering supplications. Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that this special presence exceeds Allah's general knowledge and encompasses His specific care, mercy, and response to the remembering servant.