The key to approaching the King:
Hence, this phrase was prescribed for commencing prayer. In prayer, a Muslim is like a slave who enters upon the king. So, he is instructed to use the best phrase, namely “Allāhu Akbar”. It is as if he is saying: Allah is the Most Great; thereby, I enter the place of my Lord, Creator, and Provider, and Allah is greater than all the worldly preoccupations.If aperson says this phrase sincerely from his heart, bearing its meaning in mind, he will develop a sense of exaltation for his Lord and a feeling of mod esty and submission towards Him, which will prevent him from getting preoccupied with anything apart from the Almighty Lord. Given the significance of this phrase, it is present in numerous acts of worship, aiming at winning Allah’s approval.Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:“
{...And approval from Allah is greater...}
[Surat at-Tawbah: 72].
Indeed, Allah’s approval towards a servant is greater than Paradise and all that it contains, since approval is an attribute of Allah, whereas Paradise is His creation.”
