Is Dhikr Valid If Done Silently in the Heart, or Must the Lips Move?
Question
when doing dhikr, can i do it in my head or do i have to actually move my lips with it? and do i have to say it out loud too?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
1. The Shari Context
Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is from the greatest acts of worship. Allah says:
“O you who believe, remember Allah with much remembrance.”
Surat al Ahzab 33:41
And He says:
“Remember your Lord within yourself, humbly and with fear, and without loudness in speech.”
Surat al Araf 7:205
These verses indicate that dhikr may be done inwardly and quietly, and that loudness is not required.
However, recitation of the Quran and certain adhkar within salah have specific rulings that differ from general dhikr outside of prayer.
2. Scholarly Discussion
The scholars distinguish between three levels:
- Dhikr in the heart only (without moving the tongue).
- Dhikr with movement of the tongue but without raising the voice.
- Dhikr said aloud.
The majority of scholars hold that the most complete form of dhikr is that which includes movement of the tongue, even if the voice is not audible to others. This is because dhikr linguistically involves utterance, and the Prophet ﷺ and his companions would move their tongues in remembrance.
As for dhikr in the heart alone, the scholars agree that it is rewarded and valid as remembrance. However, it is considered less complete than dhikr that includes tongue movement.
There is no requirement that dhikr must be said out loud unless the Sunnah specifies it (such as the imam raising his voice for certain adhkar to teach others).
In salah, silent recitation requires moving the lips so that the reciter at least hears himself, according to most jurists. But this ruling relates specifically to recitation in prayer, not general dhikr outside prayer.
3. Application to the Question
If you are doing dhikr outside of salah:
- You may do dhikr silently in your heart, and it is valid and rewarded.
- It is better and more complete to move your lips while saying it quietly.
- You do not have to say it out loud unless you choose to.
If you are in salah:
- Recitation and required adhkar must include movement of the lips.
- Purely thinking the words without moving the tongue is not sufficient in prayer.
Therefore, for general daily dhikr, there is flexibility. For prayer, there are stricter requirements.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
العبادات مبناها على التوقيف
Acts of worship are based on textual evidence
Where Sharia specifies a particular form, such as recitation in salah, it must be followed. Outside those specified contexts, dhikr remains broad and flexible.
Final Ruling
For general dhikr, you may remember Allah in your heart, and it is valid. It is more complete to move your lips quietly. You do not have to say it out loud. In prayer, however, the lips must move for recitation to be valid.
And Allah knows best.