Inspiration and Spirituality

MuslimkidsMatter: Allah is Greater than …

Published

April 30, 2011

By: Nur Kose

Alhamdulillah, we had a great time at Sh. Abdul Nasir Jangda’s ‘Meaningful Prayer’ class at Masjid Ibraheem. He went through every step of the prayer with us so that we would understand them. Something he mentioned in his class was that when we pray, we start with saying ‘Allahu Akbar’. This doesn’t mean ‘Allah is great’ or ‘Allah is the greatest’. What it really means is ‘Allah is greater than’. But usually, when someone starts with a sentence like that, you’d expect an object afterwards. For example, one day your best friend comes and tells you “I love ice cream greater than…” If he/she doesn’t continue the sentence, you’d probably ask “Greater than what?” Or if your teacher was talking about the Empire State Building, he/she might’ve said, “The Empire State Building is greater than…”. Then, you’d want to know what comes next. Similarly, what completes the sentence that millions of Muslims around the world are saying (Allahu Akbar)?Sh. Abdul Nasir explained that when we say Allahu Akbar, we are saying that Allah is greater than everything else we are leaving behind when we are praying. We are saying that Allah is greater than everything that is distracting us when we are praying.

It could be the unbeaten last level of a computer game, the most intriguing chapter of a mystery novel, the most fun part of your favorite board game, an exciting scene in the coolest movie, your warm cozy bed lying beside you or the delicious smelling food awaiting you in the dining room that is distracting you in your salah or that is making you want to hurry and finish your salah quickly. But when you say Allahu Akbar and understand what is means, you are remembering that Allah is greater than all that and you can take a few minutes to pray to Him. Then, after you say your Istiaadha (A’udhu billahi minashaytaan arrajeem), Surah Fatiha, and another Surah, you go down to Ruk’u and say ‘Allahu Akbar’ again. Why do we need to say ‘Allahu Akbar’ again? Sh. Abdul Nasir explained that we need to say ‘Allah Akbar’ again to refocus ourselves and again remind us that Allah is greater than everything else that is distracting us from our salah. That is why it is important to repeat saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ throughout the prayer.

I understood how important it is to say ‘Allahu Akbar’ to refocus myself when I am praying because sometimes side things distract me during my Salah. Sometimes, my youngest sister makes a lot of noise or sits on top of me when I do sujood. Sometimes, when my brothers are watching a movie in the other room, the volume suddenly goes up 100% and I hear everything happening in the movie. Other times, when I’m praying Fajr, during my prayer I remember my warm, cozy bed. If I’m reading one of my favorite books and then I leave it on my bed to pray Dhuhr or Asr, I need to continuously say ‘Allahu Akbar’ throughout my prayer to refocus myself and temporarily forget about the book.

What things distract you in your Salah? Share how remembering that is Allah is greater can help you concentrate better in your Salah.

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1DwTcGGIGw&feature=player_embedded#at=48[/youtube]

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21 Comments

Tasnim Ahmed

April 30, 2011 at 1:04 PM

Masha’allah, very nice article, and a good reminder. Jazaki Allah khayran.

Reply
- Nur
  
  May 2, 2011 at 4:05 PM
  
  Assalamualaikum
  
  I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m sure you can come up with some kind of art thingy relating to saying Allahu Akbar :)
  
  Nur
  
  Reply
Ahmed Rab

April 30, 2011 at 1:18 PM

Salam,

I liked the article a lot mashAllah. The things that distract me during prayer involve mainly things that are in university– friends, school, and work. Sometimes it is difficult to schedule everything in, but I try to make my sure I schedule in prayer with my other events (i..e leave class if needed, etc). I think if we spend little more time focusing on prayer, we would get more benefit from it, but it is difficult to do so without sincere intention. Thanks for the reminder.

— Ahmed Rab

Reply
Pingback: Allah is Greater …
furkan

April 30, 2011 at 8:37 PM

Alot of things distract me while I pray. One thing is what will I do after I pray. Also i might think of a part of a movie. Some computer games can be distracting too.

Reply
dr.milky

May 1, 2011 at 1:22 AM

mashallah nana, love that, grow bigger and brighter

Reply
Umm 'Umar

May 1, 2011 at 2:06 AM

Very beautifully expressed masha’Allah!!! Now I’m even more excited about taking the class later on in May =) Can’t wait! =D

Reply
Atiqur Rahman

May 1, 2011 at 2:20 AM

My work or my objectives in life keep me away from concentrating during the Salah. Please do pray for me…

Jazaku Allah

Reply
Shahreen

May 1, 2011 at 12:41 PM

SubhaanAllah, Nur dear, your piece really made me think. Insha’Allah I will try to be more conscious. As for what distracts me, sadly, there are too many to list! More importantly, now that I am aware I will try to keep my focus insha’Allah. Jazaak Allah khayran for sharing this invaluable experience with all of us.

Reply
Bint Alam

May 1, 2011 at 2:25 PM

SubhaanAllaah….this is soo amazing maa shaa Allaah :) Keep writing Nur so that people benefit and you get the rewards from Allaah <3

Reply
Shaheen Rab

May 1, 2011 at 8:29 PM

Very important and practical topic you discussed Mashallah! tThere are so many things that distrac me during salat. THanks for the tips, Inshallah I will remember to concentrate more everytime I say A;;ahu akbar in the salat. You know what? In Brother Dr. Najam;s class last week , one sister asked this specific question about how not to be distracted during salat. ! I wish I could frward this article to her. Keep up the good work! Keep writing
Love!

Reply
Shaheen Rab

May 1, 2011 at 8:29 PM

Very important and practical topic you discussed Mashallah! tThere are so many things that distrac me during salat. THanks for the tips, Inshallah I will remember to concentrate more everytime I say A;;ahu akbar in the salat. You know what? In Brother Dr. Najam;s class last week , one sister asked this specific question about how not to be distracted during salat. ! I wish I could frward this article to her. Keep up the good work! Keep writing
Love!

Reply
Nusrat M

May 1, 2011 at 10:25 PM

Assalamu Alaikum Nur,

Mashallah you narrated the meaningful prayer so nicely….Inshallah from now on I will try to concentrate in my prayers more & let not shaytan distract …
Please keep on writing.Always love your articles.
May Allah reward you !

Reply
Hena Zuberi

May 2, 2011 at 12:29 PM

My pot cooking on the stove, my list of chores and errands through out the day, my three year old climbing my back in sujood, The constant ringing of the phone!!

As I list them they sound so mundane and are SO unimportant compared to the majesty of Allah. JazakAllah khair for the reminder Nur. What else did you learn from this amazing class?

with duas

Reply
- Nur
  
  May 2, 2011 at 4:03 PM
  
  Assalamualaikum
  
  You can read some more posts I wrote about the Meaningful Prayer class:
  
  http://nurkose.net/2011/04/11/the-istiadha-taking-refuge/
  
  http://nurkose.net/2011/04/18/meaningful-prayer-ruku-to-sujood/
  
  http://nurkose.net/2011/04/20/meaningful-prayer-tashahhud-part-1/
  
  http://nurkose.net/2011/04/25/meaningful-prayer-tashahhud-part-2/
  
  Nur
  
  Reply
  - Mohammad Abdur Rab
    
    May 5, 2011 at 11:54 PM
    
    Assalamu Alaikum Nur. It is a wonderful feeling to know the inner significance of saying ‘Allahu Akbar â€™during the prayer. May Allah bless you and give you more knowledge and success here and hereafter.Thanks Nur for sharing this valuable informationn . Inshallah, we will try to concentrate more during the Salat.
    
    Reply
Haleh

May 6, 2011 at 3:57 AM

Masha’Allah Nur what a great post! I shared your article with my kids and they totally could relate. Thank you for expressing the ideas so clearly and simply. May Allah make you a bright light to lead others to the straight path.

Haleh

Reply
Nayma

May 6, 2011 at 3:18 PM

Subhana’allah Nur. I heard the lecture you are writing about. But reading it with the examples refreshes it a lot and has helped me in my prayers.
May you always use your writings to please your Rabb, the One who has given you the ability to write.

Reply
Shomu nana

May 6, 2011 at 4:58 PM

Masha’Allah noor for the wonderful post. It really pointed out the distractions we have
during salat. Inshallah we would concentrate more on our prayers. Keep on writing.
Allah (SWT) will reward you for these valuable writings – Shomu nana & Kachi Manu

Reply
Mohammed Saleh

May 6, 2011 at 9:55 PM

Mash’Allah Nur, what a incredible way to avoid distraction during Salat! May Allah(swt) bless you with greater wisdom.

Reply
Jahangir

May 10, 2011 at 4:49 AM

Mashaallah Nur, what a wonerful and great post ! It reminds me to concentrate more in my prayer. Jazak Allahu khayer for the reminder. May Allah reward you and your family, ameen. Keep on writing.

Reply