Dhikr of Allah and Du'a: A British Muslim Family's Daily Practice Guide (UK 2026)

Dhikr (Arabic: ذكر, "remembrance") is one of the most foundational practices in Islam. The Quran instructs: "O you who believe, remember Allah with much remembrance, and exalt Him morning and afternoon" (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:41-42). For British Muslim families navigating the noise of modern UK life — smartphones, work pressure, school stress, social media, political news — daily dhikr is the most accessible and sustainable spiritual practice. Du'a (supplication) is closely related: dhikr is remembering Allah; du'a is asking Allah. Together they form the daily Muslim conversation with the Divine. This UK guide presents both, with practical patterns British Muslim families can build.

What is dhikr?

Dhikr means "remembrance" or "mention". It includes:

• Reciting Quran.
• Reciting specific praise phrases (Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah).
• Saying salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.
• Engaging in deliberate reflection on Allah's names and attributes.
• Any deliberate act that turns the heart and tongue to Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ said: "The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like the difference between the living and the dead." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6407)

For UK Muslim teenagers and adults, this hadith is direct: the heart that remembers Allah throughout the day is alive; the heart that does not is in a state of spiritual deadness. The cure is not dramatic religious transformation; it is daily dhikr.

The most-rewarded daily dhikr

1. The four "best phrases"

The Prophet ﷺ said: "The most beloved speech to Allah is four phrases: Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (All praise to Allah), La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)." (Sahih Muslim 2137)

These four are the foundation. UK Muslim families that incorporate even 33 of each daily after fardh prayers (the Sunnah count) build a powerful daily practice.

2. The 33-33-34 pattern after each prayer

The Prophet ﷺ taught: after each fardh prayer, recite Subhanallah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, Allahu Akbar 34 times (totalling 100). He said this practice forgives sins even if they were like the foam of the sea (Sahih Muslim 597).

UK practical: takes 2-3 minutes after each prayer. Use prayer beads (a tasbih, sold at any UK Islamic shop), fingers, or a phone counter app. Family habit: do this together after Maghrib at home.

3. Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ

"O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad..." (the standard form is the Ibrahimiyya salawat from Sahih al-Bukhari 3370).

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever sends one salawat upon me, Allah will send ten upon him, raise him by ten ranks, and forgive ten sins." (Sunan al-Nasa'i 1296)

4. Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas

The Prophet ﷺ instructed: recite these three surahs three times each in the morning and evening for protection. The Mu'awwidhat are dhikr in surah form.

5. Ayat al-Kursi after every prayer

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after each fardh prayer, nothing keeps him from entering Paradise except death." (Sunan al-Nasa'i 9928, sahih)

6. The morning and evening adhkar

A full set of dhikr to be recited after Fajr (or upon waking) and after 'Asr (or before Maghrib). The full set is in Hisn al-Muslim. UK Muslim families who do even a 5-minute version twice a day build powerful daily protection.

What is du'a?

Du'a is supplication — the direct conversation between the Muslim and Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Du'a is worship." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3247)

Du'a can be:

• Established Prophetic du'as (the morning du'a, du'a before sleep, du'a in moments of stress).
• Personal du'a in your own language about your specific needs.
• Quranic du'as (Surah Al-Fatihah is itself a du'a; the famous duʿaʾ from Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286 etc.).

The Quran says: "And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the caller when he calls Me." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:186)

The relationship between dhikr and du'a

Dhikr remembers Allah; du'a asks Allah. The Prophet ﷺ taught the Sunnah pattern: begin with dhikr (praise of Allah), then send salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ, then make du'a. This is the format for any extended supplication.

The best times for dhikr and du'a

• The last third of the night. The Prophet ﷺ said Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night, asking who is calling on Him so He may answer (Sahih al-Bukhari 1145). For UK Muslim adults willing to wake for Tahajjud, this is the most powerful du'a time.
• Between adhan and iqamah. "Du'a between adhan and iqamah is not rejected" (Sunan Abu Dawud 521, sahih).
• The hour on Friday. Especially the last hour before Maghrib (covered in our Friday Sunnahs UK guide).
• While prostrating in salah. The Prophet ﷺ said the closest a servant is to Allah is in sujud (Sahih Muslim 482).
• When breaking the fast. Du'a at iftar is not rejected (Sunan Ibn Majah 1753, hasan).

How British Muslim families can build a daily dhikr practice

1. After every fardh prayer: Subhanallah 33, Alhamdulillah 33, Allahu Akbar 34 (use a tasbih, fingers, or app).
2. After Fajr and Maghrib: Recite Ayat al-Kursi and Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas (3 times each).
3. Before sleep: The full Bukhari sleep routine (Ayat al-Kursi + Mu'awwidhat trio + last 2 ayahs of Al-Baqarah).
4. While walking, driving, cooking: Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ, La ilaha illallah, Astaghfirullah. Dhikr fits in moments others would scroll social media.
5. Friday last hour: 15-30 minutes of focused du'a.

How Eaalim helps British Muslim children build daily dhikr

Eaalim's online lessons teach the daily dhikr alongside Quran with proper pronunciation. Lessons are 30 minutes (15-20 for under-7s), GMT/BST, in pounds, free real trial. Start here.

Frequently asked questions