One day Saidatuna Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, went to visit her father. This visit happened when the economy in Madinah was improving. Despite being the daughter of the leader of the Prophets and the head of the state, Fatimah lived a very modest life.
She came to ask for a servant to help her with house chores. Her hands were all blistered from the housework that she did. The Prophet of Allah instead offered her something else.
"Would you like me to offer you something better than what you asked for?" asked Prophet Muhammad.
"Before you sleep, recite Subhanallah thirty-three times, Alhamdulillah thirty-three times, and Allahu Akbar thirty-four times (some narrations say thirty-three times). This is better for you than me providing you with a servant," continued the Messenger of Allah.
Saiduna Ali, the husband of Fatimah and the person narrating this hadith, said that they never left this dhikr since then. Not even while he was camping on the battlefield.
Fatimah came to the Prophet to complain about physical exhaustion. But Prophet Muhammad gave Fatimah a spiritual remedy that solved her problems. Sometimes in life, what may appear as a physical problem, may actually be our heart yearning for the Divine.
Next time we feel drowned by the hustle-bustle of life, carve out some time in the darkness of the night for dhikr. Talk to the Master of the Universe, for He is close and answers all our prayers.