DIKR. — In Arabic “mention”; it is the glorification of Allah effected by the litanic repetition of certain words or phrases. The repetition may be vocal or internal and may or may not be accompanied by bodily movements and breath control.
The use of d. is based on the Qur’an (33:52) and is particularly practised by the various religious confraternities (v. DERVISHES). The phrases and words most commonly used in d. are “there is no god but God,” “glory to God,” “praise to God,” “God is great,” “I ask forgiveness of God,” and the various names attributed to God. The rite, which is often accompanied by mystical love-songs, consists, besides the repetition of the successive phrases, also in the reading of more or less extensive passages from the Qur’an and other prayers.