In prayer, the words 'Allahu Akbar' are said over and over. The words mean 'God is great' or 'God is greater', or, God is greater than anything, even that which is conceived of in the mind. As such, when the mind becomes preoccupied with other-than-God we say Allahu Akbar to take us back to that state of remembrance, that place where God (i.e. remembrance of His name) is greater than whatever it is that we are thinking about at that moment. It's the fastest and most effective way to reclaim that state of clarity and mental precision.
So the next time you feel your mind overwhelmed with mental noise and endless chatter, use the greatest weapon that Allah has armed us with - His remembrance. Make it constant, then observe yourself...
"...Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest(13:28)"
Tafsir al-Tustari:
His words, Exalted is He:
…Truly, it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace.
[In] remembrance (dhikr) with knowledge ('ilm) there is tranquil repose (sukūn), and [in] remembrance with intellect ('aql) there is profound peace (ṭ uma'nīna).
He [Sahl] was asked, 'And how is that?' He replied:
If a servant is maintaining [true] obedience to God, he will be in a state of remembrance (dhākir), but when something occurs to his mind, he will be in a state of severance (qāṭ i') [from God]. If he is involved in an act [motivated by] his lower self, and something comes to his heart which guides him to remembrance and obedience, this is the role played by the intellect (mawḍi' al-'aql).
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