| Al-Baqarah: (152) So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me...

Tafsir of Verse 152

Know that Allah, the Exalted, has commanded us in this verse with two things: remembrance (Dhikr) and gratitude (Shukr).

Remembrance can be by the tongue, by the heart, or by the limbs (Jawarih).

1. Remembrance by the Tongue: This is praising Him, glorifying Him, magnifying Him, and reciting His Book.
2. Remembrance by the Heart: This occurs in three ways:
   • First: Reflecting upon the proofs (Dalā'il) indicating His Essence and Attributes, and reflecting on how to counter any doubts that undermine these proofs.
   • Second: Reflecting upon the proofs indicating the manner of His obligations (Takālīf), rulings, commands, prohibitions, promises, and threats. When one knows the nature of the obligation and recognizes the promise associated with performing an act and the threat associated with abandoning it, performing the act becomes easy for them.
   • Third: Reflecting upon the secrets (Asrār) of Allah’s creation, such that every particle of creation becomes like a polished mirror facing the realm of holiness (ʿĀlam al-Quds). When the servant looks at it, the ray of their sight reflects from it toward the realm of Majesty. This station is endless.
3. Remembrance by the Limbs (Jawarih): This is when one's limbs are fully engaged in the acts commanded by Allah and abstaining from the acts forbidden by Him. This is why Allah called Prayer (Salāh) remembrance, as in the verse: {Hasten to the remembrance of Allah} (Al-Jumu'ah: 9).

Therefore, the command {So remember Me} encompasses all acts of obedience. This is why it is narrated from Sa'id ibn Jubayr that he said: "Remember Me with My obedience." This summarizes everything to include all forms of remembrance.

This phrase must be interpreted in a manner befitting the context, relating to the reward, praise, manifestation of pleasure, honor, and the establishment of high status—all of which are included under {I will remember you}.

People have various interpretations (ʿIbārāt) for this statement:

1. First: Remember Me with my obedience, and I will remember you with My Mercy.
2. Second: Remember Me with supplication (Du'ā') and good deeds, similar to {Call upon Me; I will respond to you} (Ghafir: 60). This is the view of Abu Muslim, who said: The command is for creation to remember Him while desiring (Rāghibīn) and fearing (Rāhibīn), hoping and apprehensive, and to purify their remembrance from associating partners (Shirk). When they remember Him with sincerity in their worship and recognition of His Lordship, He remembers them with favor, mercy, and blessings in this world and the Hereafter.
3. Third: Remember Me with praise and obedience, and I will remember you with praise and blessings.
4. Fourth: Remember Me in this world, and I will remember you in the Hereafter.
5. Fifth: Remember Me in seclusion (Khalawāt), and I will remember you in the open spaces (Falawāt).
6. Sixth: Remember Me in ease (Rakhā’), and I will remember you in affliction (Balā’).
7. Seventh: Remember Me with my obedience, and I will remember you with My assistance (Ma'ūnah).
8. Eighth: Remember Me with my striving (Mujāhadah), and I will remember you with My guidance (Hidāyah).
9. Ninth: Remember Me with truthfulness and sincerity, and I will remember you with salvation (Khalāṣ) and increased distinction (Ikhtiṣāṣ).
10. Tenth: Remember Me with Lordship (Rubūbiyyah) in the opening (Al-Fātiḥah), and I will remember you with Mercy and Servitude (ʿUbūdiyyah) in the closing (the end of the Surah).

| 153 < { O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. } >