26/08/2025
■ Understanding the Essence of "ھو Hu" in Zikr
Shaykh Muhammad Waqas said:
Many spiritual teachers emphasize its importance, and some people also experience a sound resembling "ھو Hu" from within themselves during their spiritual practices. What exactly is this "Hu"?
Sultan Bahu (ق) was a person whose spiritual state was so elevated that even as a child, the sound of "Hu" could be heard from his breath. His pious parents were deeply engaged in the remembrance of Allah, which influenced his spiritual upbringing.
It is said that whenever Sultan Bahu looked at someone, they would immediately start doing Zikr Allah hoo and If be looked at non-Muslim they immediately start reciting Kalima shahadah and embrace Islam. Due to this, his parents took special care to limit his interactions, and people would hide from his gaze out of respect and fear of conversion. Sultan Bahu was a pure soul whose mere breath was filled with divine remembrance.
The word "Hu" is considered the pinnacle of Zikr by many spiritual scholars. It is believed that as one advances in spiritual stages, their remembrance becomes more focused, eventually leading to the pure utterance of "Hu". This word symbolizes the essence of Allah's oneness and is a means of cleansing the heart from the darkness and rust that covers it. The continuous remembrance of "Hu" polishes the heart and brings the soul closer to Allah.
Spiritual masters have said that when a person reaches the final stage of Zikr, only the word "Hu" remains. This is because "Hu" represents the ultimate presence of Allah in the heart. The sound of "Hu" cleanses the heart, removing all spiritual veils and bringing the seeker closer to the divine presence.
Some people might say that they only recite the word "Allah" in their Zikr and do not use "Hu". In our tradition, reciting "Allah" with sincerity will eventually lead to the unveiling of the heart, where the word "Hu" will naturally emerge, leading the seeker to deeper spiritual realities.
May Allah bless us all with the understanding and the ability to engage in true Zikr. Ameen.
● FJ 25.7.24
اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد
