Attributes of the Place One Performs Dzikr

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi (r.a.) wrote it is befitting that the place where we perform dzikr be empty of everything that preoccupies us and causes evil thoughts, and be clean.  It is important to respect the dzikr and the One being remembered.  For this reason, dzikr in the masjid and other noble places is commendable.  Imam Jalil Abu Maysarah (r.a.) said, “Allah is not remembered except in fine places.” 

Also, it is befitting that the mouth of the dzakir be clean.  If there is some distaste or odour in it, we should remove it with a tooth stick.  If there is some impurity in it, we remove it by washing with water.  It is makruh to perform dzikr without washing the impurity, but it is not haram.  The same rule applies to recitation of the Qur’an.