The term Adh-Dhikr (ٱلذِّكْر) is often treated in later theology as a technical synonym for the Qur’an itself. However, a careful reading of the Qur’an shows that this assumption is textually unsustainable.
The Qur’an uses Dhikr as a broader concept, one that predates the Qur’an and includes it, rather than being limited to it.
This article explains what Adh-Dhikr means in the Qur’an, based solely on internal Qur’anic usage.
1. Lexical Meaning of Dhikr
The root ذ-ك-ر (dh-k-r) means:
- remembrance
- reminder
- admonition
- that which is kept in memory
- that which is written down to preserve remembrance
In essence:
Dhikr = that which reminds human beings of the Truth.
This meaning is functional, not sectarian and not book-exclusive.
2. How the Qur’an Uses the Term Dhikr
A. Dhikr Refers to Previous Revelations
The Qur’an explicitly applies Dhikr to earlier scriptures.
21:48 — “And We gave Musa and Harun the Furqan and the Dhikr…”
Here, Dhikr cannot be the Qur’an. It refers to revelation given before Muhammad.
21:7 — “Ask the Ahl adh-Dhikr if you do not know.”
This verse is decisive:
- The context concerns previous prophets
- Therefore, Ahl adh-Dhikr cannot mean Muslims
- It means people who possess earlier revelation and knowledge
The same instruction appears in 16:43, confirming the meaning.
👉 Key point: If Dhikr were only the Qur’an, this verse would be incoherent.
B. Dhikr Is Also Used for the Qur’an
The Qur’an does call itself Dhikr — but never as an exclusive category.
15:9 — “Indeed, We sent down the Dhikr, and We are its guardian.”
38:1 — “By the Qur’an, Dhikr.”
This shows that:
- The Qur’an is Dhikr
- But nothing here says Dhikr exists only as the Qur’an
Logically:
Something can belong to a category without exhausting that category.
C. Dhikr as a Process of Remembrance, Not a Book
In several verses, Dhikr is clearly not a physical scripture.
36:11 — “Only one who follows Dhikr…”
54:17 — “We have made the Qur’an easy for Dhikr.”
Here:
- Dhikr = remembrance
- internalization
- moral awakening
- response to divine admonition
It describes a function, not a title.
3. Logical Synthesis (Without Dogma)
From the Qur’an’s own usage, the structure is clear:
- Dhikr = Divine reminder / revealed admonition
- The Qur’an is Dhikr
- But Dhikr is not limited to the Qur’an
- Previous scriptures are also Dhikr
- Ahl adh-Dhikr = people of earlier revelation and knowledge, not Muslims
This is not interpretation — it is semantic necessity.
4. Why This Matters
Understanding Dhikr correctly explains several otherwise “problematic” Qur’anic instructions:
- Why the Qur’an tells people to ask Ahl adh-Dhikr
- Why it repeatedly confirms what came before
- Why Muhammad says he is not a novelty among the messengers (46:9)
- Why the Qur’an functions as confirmation, clarification, and supervision—not replacement (5:48)
The Qur’an positions itself inside a continuum of revelation, not as an isolated epistemological reset.
5. Final Conclusion
Adh-Dhikr is not the name of a single book.
It is the function of divine remembrance across revelation history.
The Qur’an is Dhikr.
But it is not the only Dhikr.