The Sufi meditation practice of Dhikr is REMEMBRANCE of the NAMES OF GOD.
“In practice it is the recitation of Holy verses and Divine Names of God. Angels are always in the state of remembrance of God. Saints and holy people strive to remember God with every breath. The more a person remembers God in every moment, the more they will find peace and satisfaction in their hears. Remembrance uplifts the Spirit and Soul. The Prophet(s) said, ‘Allah has angles roaming the earth to find people who are in Remembrance of God. When they find a circle of such people, they call each other and encompass them in layers up to the heaven.”
In the practice of Remembrance of the Names of God, “as each of the 99 names of God, or Divine Qualities, is prayed or ecstatically chanted, these qualities are planted deeper within the heart until the heart begins to recognize them and resonate at their frequency.”
(source: starsonadarknight.com – “Sufi Stories, The People Who Remember”)
In our Christian tradition, we have many names of God which will be the same as or similar to the ones listed below. As I meditate on each of these 99 names, I allow the name to bring other familiar name(s) and scriptures back to my remembrance…to get back in touch with, mediate on and embrace the deeper meaning and feelings they bring…and allow those feelings to settle deep in my core. This anchors me to my Spiritual Center and renews my mind…it restores my soul and raises my Spirit and thinking to Christ Consciousness.
For instance, the practice starts with “Allah – the Greatest Name”…that reminds me how Jesus called Yahweh “Abba”…”Daddy”. How incredibly powerful and deeply calming that Name is…to know that God is my Daddy, my Mother/Father God…that His authority, His unfathomable love for and protection of me is present NOW…constant and unchanging. It reminds me that I BELONG to God!! That “if God is for me, who can be against me!” And…God protects me as He would the pupil of His eye. (from Psalm 17:8); also, The Lord is my Light and my Salvation—whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27).
Join me in this restorative, healing meditation…and share it! We can begin a Circle of Remembrance.
The 99 Beautiful Names of God:
Allah (Abba) – The Greatest Name
1. The All-Merciful
2. The All-Beneficent
3. The Absolute Ruler
4. The Pure One
5. The Source of Peace
6. The Inspirer of Faith
7. The Guardian
8. The Victorious
9. The Compeller
10.The Greatest
11.The Creator
12.The Maker of Order
13.The Shaper of Beauty
14.The Forgiving
15. The Subduer
16. The Giver of All
17. The Sustainer
18. The Opener
19. The Knower of All
20. The Constrictor
21. The Reliever
22. The Abaser
23. The Exalter
24. The Bestower of Honors
25. The Humiliator
26. The Hearer of All
27. The Seer of All
28. The Judge
29. The Just
30. The Subtle One
31. The All-Aware
32. The Forbearing
33. The Magnificent
34. The Forgiver and Hider of Faults
35. The Rewarder of Thankfulness
36. The Highest
37. The Greatest
38. The Preserver
39. The Nourisher
40. The Accounter
41. The Mighty
42. The Generous
43. The Watchful One
44. The Responder to Prayer
45. The All-Comprehending
46. The Perfectly Wise
47. The Loving One
48. The Majestic One
49. The Resurrector
50. The Witness
51. The Truth
52. The Trustee
53. The Possessor of All Strength
54. The Forceful One
55. The Governor
56. The Praised One
57. The Appraiser
58. The Originator
59. The Restorer
60. The Giver of Life
61. The Taker of Life
62. The Ever Living One
63. The Self-Existing One
64. The Finder
65. The Glorious
66. The Only One
67. The One
68. The Satisfier of All Needs
69. The All Powerful
70. The Creator of All Power
71. The Expediter
72. The Delayer
73. The First
74. The Last
75. The Manifest One
76. The Hidden One
77. The Protecting Friend
78. The Supreme One
79. The Doer of Good
80. The Guide to Repentance
81. The Avenger
82. The Forgiver
83. The Clement
84. The Owner of All
85. The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
86. The Equitable One
87. The Gatherer
88. The Rich One
89. The Enricher
90. The Preventer of Harm
91. The Creator of the Harmful
92. The Creator of Good
93. The Light
94. The Guide
95. The Originator
96. The Everlasting One
97. The Inheritor of All
98. The Righteous Teacher
99.The Patient One
God is LOVE!