A double-blind randomized controlled study conducted on 60 hypertensive patients revealed that 20 minutes of daily Dhikr meditation significantly improved anxiety, stress, and blood pressure.
Dhikr: More Than Just a Spiritual Practice
Many people associate Dhikr solely with a spiritual connection. However, a double-blind randomized controlled study published in the Journal of Rural Community Nursing Practice in 2024 reveals that measurable physiological changes also occur with Dhikr.
How Was the Study Designed?
Sixty adults diagnosed with hypertension participated in the research. Participants were divided into two groups:
- Intervention group: Practiced Dhikr meditation for 20 minutes daily for 4 weeks.
- Control group: Engaged in a placebo activity for the same duration.
Anxiety levels were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and stress levels were evaluated with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).
What Do the Findings Say?
At the end of four weeks, in the intervention group:
- A statistically significant decrease in HAM-A anxiety scores
- A notable reduction in PSS stress scores
- Measurable improvement in systolic and diastolic blood pressure values
were observed. In the control group, no significant change was detected in these parameters.
Why Does It Work? The Physiological Mechanism
The rhythmic, repetitive vocal or silent recitation that occurs during Dhikr suppresses sympathetic nervous system activation. This leads to:
- A decrease in cortisol (the primary stress hormone) levels
- Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system
- Normalization of heart rate and blood pressure
A comprehensive review study published in PMC (Zahir & Qoronfleh, 2025) also emphasizes that Dhikr and listening to the Quran stand out as effective, easily implementable, non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety and addiction treatment.
Impact on Daily Life
The most striking aspect of the study is the simplicity of the protocol: just 20 minutes a day. It requires no special equipment, location, or expertise. Regular Dhikr, performed after Fajr Salah or before bedtime, can, in light of this research, become a protective habit for both mental and cardiovascular health.
Scientific Disclaimer
The researchers state that the sample size (60 people) is limited for generalization and that larger-scale studies are needed. Nevertheless, the current findings constitute a growing and promising part of the scientific literature on Dhikr.
