Virtues Of Doing Zikr (Remembrance Of Allah)

Remembrance of Allah and doing zikr is a basis of good deeds. It prevents you from engaging in haram (unlawful) activities and keeps you busy while getting reward from Allah. It is something very easy to perform and can be done any time day and night. Even while cooking, driving or having a walk.
The word Zikr has many meanings. It means remembering Allah in the heart or both in the heart and by the tongue, a prayer, dua, supplication made to Allah, Recitation from the Holy Quran or even pondering over Allah's creation and glorifying Allah.
The heart of the believer should be attached to Allah's remembrance throughout his day to day activities and this gives peace of mind and heart. It protects a person from falling in love with the material and temptations of this worldly life.

Quranic Verses That Emphasize On Doing Zikr:
Allah says in the Holy Quran Surah Anfal Chpter 8 verse 45:

..... Call Allah in remembrance much (and often) that you may succeed

 Surah Ahzab Chapter 33 verse 35:

......and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.

Surah Rad Chapter 13 verse 28:

Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah, for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.

 It is mentioned in Holy Quran in  Surah Al Baqarah Chapter 2 verse 152:

Then do you remember Me ; I will remember you, Be grateful to Me and reject not faith.

Allah describes the true believers as those who do zikr all the time. In Surah Al-Imran Chapter 3 verse 191:

 Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting and lying on their sides and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and earth.......

In Surah Ankaboot Chapter 29 verse 45:

Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to you, and esatablish regular prayer, for prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds, and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt, and Allah knows the (deeds) that you do.

Few Hadiths On Virtues Of Remembrance of Allah:

Narrated By Ahmad and also Trimihizi and  Ibn Majah:

A man complained saying the laws of Islam are too heavy for me, so tell me something that I can easily follow. The prophet (Pbuh) told to him " Let your tongue be always busy with the remembrance of Allah" 

The Prophet (Pbuh) would often tell his companions;

Shall i tell you about the best of deed, the most pure in the sight of your Lord, about the one that is of the highest order and is far better for you than spending gold and silver, even better for you than meeting your enemies in the battlefiled where you strike at theri necks and they at yours? The companions replied Yes O Messenger Of Allah! The Prophet (Pbuh) said Remembrance of Allah ( Narrated by Tirmidhi) 

Narrated In Sahih Bukhari And Sahih Muslim , The messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said:

There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, but heavy in the scales and dear to Allah the Merciful. these are Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil Azim ( Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the greatest is free from imperfection.

 Benefits Of Zikr: Of more than hundreds of benefits afew are summarized here:
1. It helps in getting the pleasure of Allah the Almight.
2. Zikr keeps away the sahtan (devil) and weaken him.
3. It relieves the mind from anxieties and worries.
4. It produces joy and happiness in the heart.
5. Remembering Allah is the key to getting closer to Allah.
6. It strengthens the body and mind and brightens the face and heart.
7. it safeguards against shatanic traps.
8. It causes Allah's peace and mercy to descend upon the person who is doing zikr.
9. It saves one's tongue from indulging in sins like backbiting, lying , lose talk etc.
10 By doing zikr one gets spiritual elevation and is protected from evil thoughts.