“Allaahu Akbar” – The Symbol of Ta’dheem (Magnification)

Source: “Allaahu Akbar” the symbol of magnification by Shaikha Anaaheed

The greatest ritual that one performs during the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is the remembrance of Allaah, meaning to say the word of Tawheed and the Takbeer out loud:

الله أكبر الله أكبر لا إله إلا الله – الله أكبر الله أكبر ولله الحمد

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah,

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd

What is the meaning of Allaahu Akbar?

It means Allaah is greater than everything, greater than all what is in this world which the heart is attached to and diverted by. Allaah is greater than one’s properties, wealth, family, etc. He is greater than anything that is considered great in this world.

The word (Allaahu Akbar) expresses magnification that is established in the heart of the slave, and this is what should come forth or appear during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

Allaah (Ta’ala) prescribed the Takbeer in these days, such that when one says it throughout these days, his magnification of Allaah will be established in his heart.

Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Muddaththir (74:3):

“And your Lord glorify.”

i.e. glorify Him with Tawheed, seeking the Countenance of Allaah while doing that and urge/ encourage the people to glorify Him and establish His Worship. [Tayseer al-Kareem]

Both the pilgrim and non-pilgrim will glorify Allaah in these days, however the pilgrim increases in magnification by going to Makkah and magnifying the place.

These days are part of the sacred months, but they are greater in sanctity than all other days of the sacred months.

It is required from Muslims to magnify (glorify) these days because Allaah, the Most Great, magnified (exalted) them. [Good deeds done during these days are more virtuous and bring a greater reward], whereas sins committed during these days are more grievous in Allaah’s Sight.

Accordingly, the glorification (magnification) of Allaah is the action of the heart that should be practiced in these days and that one should exit these days with.

The symbol of magnification is the Takbeer, saying: “Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar…”

How can one practice the magnification of Allaah in his life?

Allaah is the Most Great in His Worth, and Great in the hearts; accordingly:

1- The feeling of fear, majesty, and aspiration, should be established in one’s heart due to Allaah’s magnification.

Things which indicate the lack of Ta’dheem are:

* committing sins without feeling regret or sorrow in his heart.

* using deceit to practice the prohibited matters without feeling any pain in his heart.

* transgressing against the rights of the people without thinking of the meeting with Allaah, without fear of the recompense on the Day of Resurrection.

2- Another indication for the Ta’dheem is feeling at rest towards Allaah.

Whenever the person who magnifies Allaah complains of any deficiency in his life or suffers from weakness, he has no one except Allaah to run to and seek rest and comfort with.

i.e. if one is afraid for his house or children, etc., nothing can cure this fear except the feeling that Allaah is Al-‘Adheem, the Most Great, Who has full power over everything, Who disposes the affairs of His creation with perfect disposal. He is Al-‘Adheem, the Most Great, Who if He ordains (decrees) a matter, nothing can repel or stop it.

So when fear comes to the heart concerning anything in one’s life, his heart should immediately flee and resort to Al-‘Adheem (the Most Great) because one wants Him to drive this fear away from his heart. One does not have except Allaah to feel at rest with, and one should ask Him to protect and preserve his affairs (i.e. children, health, and wealth) for him.

The signs and impacts of the magnification of Allaah are:

1- One does not violate His prohibitions.

2- One does not feel any worry or concern; rather, one feels rest in his heart. Allaah is enough and one is content with this knowledge.

Accordingly, at the end of these ten days, one’s heart should feel completely at peace and at rest towards Allaah, like the seventy thousand who will enter Paradise without reckoning. Their description is that they magnify their Lord, Allaah is sufficient for them, they have no one with them except Allaah [they feel satisfaction with Allaah]. Therefore, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said about them: “They do not ask (others) to perform Ruqyah (for them), nor do they believe in omens, nor do they brand themselves, and on their Lord they rely and put their trust.” [Al-Bukhaari]; this is because of their satisfaction with their Lord, the Most Great. They know that He is Al-‘Adheem, the Most Great, Whose Command is executive, whatever He wills will happen and even if the people of the earth gathered to repel it, they would not be able to do so. These feelings of Ta’dheem (magnification) make them feel at rest towards Him and they never feel worried.

One should put all his concerns at His gate, and believe that Allaah is Akbar (greater) than all one’s feelings of pain, grief, etc. One needs to remind his self that Allaah is Akbar (greater) than his problems, greater than his debts. Allaah is Akbar (greater) than what one desires of worldly things; Allaah is greater than the lust which occupies one’s heart instead of Him.

He is your resort, (i.e. you turn to Him for all your needs).

From another aspect: You have desires and lusts which prevent you from being a devoted slave to Allaah, so you address these desires and say: “Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is the Most Great) than these beloved things in my heart. If truly Allaah is greater than these things in my heart, then I will leave them for His Sake. And I am sure He will give me something better in return.”

The Means of increasing the Ta’dheem of Allaah in our hearts

First: Contemplate His Attributes profusely. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Isra’ (17:111):

“And say: ‘Praise be to Allah, Who has not begotten a son, and Who has no partner in (His) Sovereignty (Dominion), nor has He any Waliyy (protecting friend). And magnify Him with all magnificence, [Allaah Akbar (Allaahu is the Most Great)].’”

Shaikh as-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “Glorify and magnify Him by mentioning His great Attributes, by praising Him with His Beautiful Names, by glorifying His Actions, by worshiping Him Alone without associates and establishing the religion sincerely for Him Alone.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]

Ayat al-Kursi is recited frequently each day and also Surat al-Ikhlaas,

al-Mu’awwathatain, the last verses of Surat al-Hashr and the beginning of Surat al-Hadeed, etc. The Qur’an, from its beginning till the end and all these Ayaat (verses) and Surahs (chapters) tell us about Allaah, His Grandeur, His Majesty.

Therefore, one should not abandon the source of knowledge with which one learns about Allaah’s Greatness (i.e. the Qur’an).

Shaikh as-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) also said in his explanation of Allaah’s Statement in Surat al-Hajj (22:62):

“And Allah is the Most High, the Most Great.”

“No one knows the reality of His Majesty, neither a close angel nor a sent messenger. Every Attribute of Allaah is noble, great and majestic. And every Attribute is perfect in all aspects.”

Second: Reflect and think considerably.

Allaah (Ta’ala) repeatedly says in the Qur’an:

أولم يتفكروا

“Do they not contemplate?”

أولم يسيروا في الأرض

“Have they not traveled through the earth?”

أولم يروا

“Have they not seen that…?”

One should not neglect any of these verses in the Qur’an. Wherever it mentions: ألم تعلم أن الله (Do you not know that Allaah), it is one’s responsibility to reflect in the manner of one who is desiring to approach his Lord, who seeks to magnify his Lord; and he will see the impact of that, if he is truthful.

Conclusion:

At the end of these ten days, the result will be an increase in faith. This increase of faith is indicated by:

1- Magnifying the symbols of Allaah and honoring what Allaah has made sacred. Magnifying the prohibitions of Allaah (i.e., knowing the impact of these prohibitions and how grievous they are in Allaah’s Sight).

2- Feeling at rest towards Allaah.

This is the core of deification of Allaah of the one who says (لا إله إلا الله) from his heart. He truly believes that no one is greater than Allaah in his heart. So one feels at rest towards His Tadbeer (managing) of one’s affairs, and sees the impact of His Tadbeer in bringing him out of all crises, and accordingly love of Him will be established in one’s heart.

The purpose of all the acts of worship that are practiced by the dwellers of heavens and earth is to establish Allaah’s glorification and magnification. Therefore, the symbol (or icon) of the great acts of worship like the Salaat is Takbeer.” [Tayseer al-Kareem by Shaikh as-Sa’dee]