Al-Mufarridūn have gone far ahead

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) highlighted the status of those who remember Allah frequently and how they are unique and far ahead of others given their highest ranks in the Gardens of Pleasure. He likened them to Mount Jumdān, which stands alone apart from other mountains.

Lessons

• It is recommended to remember Allah frequently and be preoccupied with Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), as superiority in the Hereafter is achieved through abundant acts of obedience and sincerity in offering acts of worship.
• Dhikr of Allah could be with the tongue alone, with the heart alone, or with both the tongue and the heart, which is the highest in rank.
• Dhikr includes the regular prescribed supplications that are linked to certain occasions, like the morning and evening supplications, supplications after the obligatory prayers, etc.
• An-Nawawi said: You should know that the merit of Dhikr is not restricted to Tasbīh (exalting Allah), Tahlīl (declaring Allah's oneness), Tahmīd (praising Allah), Takbīr (proclaiming Allah's greatness), and their likes; rather, everyone who offers an act of obedience to Allah Almighty is deemed from those who remember Allah Almighty.
• Dhikr of Allah is one of the greatest means of steadfastness, as Allah Almighty says: {O you who believe, when you encounter a group [in battle], stand firm and remember Allah much, so that you may triumph.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 45]
• The point of resemblance between those who practice Dhikr and Mount Jumdān is uniqueness and seclusion. Mount Jumdān stands alone apart from other mountains. The same applies to those who remember Allah Almighty, as the unique person is the one whose heart and tongue are in seclusion, remembering his Lord even if he is among people. He is the one who finds tranquility in times of seclusion and has an aversion to mixing with people repeatedly. The point of resemblance could also be that Dhikr is a means of keeping one steadfast on the religion just as the mountain is a means of keeping the earth steadfast, or it could refer to being foremost in all kinds of goodness in this world and the Hereafter, as when a traveler from Madīnah to Makkah reached Jumdān, this used to mark his arrival at Makkah, and whoever reached this mount was considered to be in the lead. The same applies to the one who remembers Allah Almighty, as he is deemed far ahead of others given his abundant Dhikr of Allah Almighty, and Allah knows best.