Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah - Naib Amir USA & Chairman Markazi Al Islam Team
October 1, 2025
The signal-to-noise concept illustrates a fundamental truth: our spiritual aspirations and meaningful pursuits (the signal) are constantly competing with worldly distractions and anxieties (the noise). When noise overwhelms the signal, we lose clarity and purpose, much like a weak radio signal buried in static becomes unintelligible.
The Qur'an acknowledges our inherent susceptibility to distractions. Allah states: "And if there comes to you from Satan an evil suggestion, then seek refuge in Allah" (41:37). Our minds are naturally drawn to immediate pleasures and worldly concerns, making us vulnerable to what Islamic teachings call waswasa (whispers) that pull our attention away from what truly matters.
Contemporary life has intensified this ancient challenge through digital technology that fragments our attention. The Promised Messiah (as) understood that worldly distractions poison the heart, stating that "sin removes the fear and love of Allah within one". When our spiritual connection weakens, we become more susceptible to the noise of endless notifications, social comparisons, and digital stimulation.
The Qur'an reveals Satan's methodology: "And entice whomsoever you can among them with your voice" (17:65). This "voice" represents all forms of distraction that pull us away from remembrance of Allah - whether through digital media, excessive entertainment, or mental preoccupation with worldly concerns.
Prayer functions as a spiritual filter, creating what the text beautifully describes as "moments of mental reset". The Promised Messiah (as) explained that "prayer is a supplication, which is humbly implored with Tasbih (glorifying Allah), Tahmid (praising Allah), Taqdis (proclaiming His Holiness)". These sacred intervals force us to step away from the noise and realign with our spiritual signal.
The Holy Prophet (sa) instructed us: "When you stand for prayer, pray like a man bidding farewell". This mindset transforms prayer from routine ritual into focused spiritual engagement. The Promised Messiah (as) described true prayer as one where "the heart of man is tendered, and falls before the Divine threshold becoming so immersed that it begins to melt"
Rather than viewing prayer times as interruptions to our busy schedules, we must recognize them as divinely ordained opportunities to reduce life's noise. The Qur'an commands: "Watch over Prayers, and the middle Prayer, and stand before Allah submissively" (2:240). This means stopping all activities when prayer time arrives, regardless of worldly pressures.
The Promised Messiah (as) taught specific supplications for developing focus: "O Allah, you see how blind and lacking of sight I am... Send down such a flame of light upon my heart, as your love and attraction are developed in it". Taking time before each prayer to mentally prepare and seek Allah's help in achieving concentration transforms the prayer experience.
Understanding the meanings of what we recite is crucial. The Promised Messiah (as) emphasized: "A prayer in which there is no humility, no attraction towards God the Exalted, no weeping supplication before God the Exalted, is in itself a deficient prayer"
Living around Salat rather than fitting prayer into our schedule creates what is described as a "Salat-centric lifestyle". This reorganizes our entire day around divine intervals rather than digital notifications or worldly pressures.
The Qur'an provides the fundamental solution: "And if a whisper from the devil reach thee then seek refuge in Allah". Before beginning prayer, reciting A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem creates a spiritual barrier against distracting thoughts.
The Prophet (saw) advised: "Remember death when you pray, for if a man remembers death when he prays, he will strive to make his prayer good". Contemplating mortality helps prioritize the eternal over the temporary, naturally reducing the power of worldly distractions.
The Promised Messiah (as) counseled: "One should not abandon prayer due to insipidity, rather, should increase prayer even further". Like an alcoholic who drinks more to achieve intoxication, we must persist in prayer even when it feels dry, trusting that spiritual pleasure will eventually return through consistency.
The Qur'an assures us: "Surely, success does come to the believers, Who are humble in their Prayers" (23:3-4). When we successfully establish this signal-to-noise ratio in our spiritual lives - strengthening our connection to Allah while reducing worldly distractions - we experience what is described as purified effort that is "concentrated" rather than "scattered."
The Promised Messiah (as) said that through proper observance of Salat, "man progresses to such a state wherein he speaks when God wishes, and walks when God wishes; the whole of his moving or remaining still... begins to conform to Allah's will and the ego is annihilated". This represents the ultimate victory of signal over noise - a life where divine guidance rather than worldly distraction determines our choices and actions.
