Within Sufi practice, meditation and dhikr (remembrance of God) function as central disciplines for inner purification and the cultivation of direct awareness of the Divine. Dhikr, in particular, is often regarded as the core practice: it consists of repetitive remembrance of God through the recitation of sacred names and attributes of Allah, as well as phrases such as “La ilaha illa Allah” (there is no god but God). This remembrance may be performed silently or vocally, individually or in groups, and is frequently coordinated with breathing and, in some contexts, specific bodily movements. Through such repetition, consciousness is gently but persistently redirected away from distraction and toward the Divine presence.

Meditation in Sufism takes several interrelated forms, all oriented toward deepening this remembrance. Practices such as muraqabah cultivate a watchful awareness of God’s presence, often described as “watching over the heart,” while other contemplative exercises focus on divine attributes and qualities. Some Sufi methods also include visualization of light and spiritual imagery, as well as breath awareness combined with sacred recitation. These meditative disciplines foster inner stillness, concentration, and a more refined perception of the signs of God within the self and the world.

Together, meditation and dhikr serve as instruments for transforming the inner life of the seeker. They purify the heart from worldly attachments, discipline the mind and emotions, and gradually weaken the hold of the ego. Over time, this sustained remembrance aims at a state in which awareness of God becomes continuous rather than intermittent, reshaping the inner landscape so that turning toward the Divine is no longer forced but spontaneous. Within this process, Sufis speak of fana, the effacement or annihilation of the ego in God, and baqa, abiding or subsistence in God, as markers of the realized state.

These practices are not merely psychological exercises but are understood as a path to experiential knowledge of the Divine. Through them, the seeker passes through various inner states and spiritual stations, moving from ordinary, distracted consciousness toward a more luminous and God-centered awareness. In many Sufi orders, the rhythm of dhikr and meditation is woven into communal life, with gatherings structured to support and intensify individual practice under the guidance of a spiritual teacher. In this way, remembrance becomes both a personal discipline and a shared atmosphere, shaping a way of being in which the presence of God is sought to be remembered at every moment.