AllahuAkbar (الله أكبر)

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AllahuAkbar (الله أكبر) !

The takb?r or takbeer is the act of saying the phrase All?hu Akbar, Usually translated "God is great" or "God is the greatest," it is a ubiquitous Arabic expression, used as both an informal expression of faith and as a formal declaration.


AllahuAkbar (الله أكبر) on Flags


Many countries use the phrase AllahuAkbar (الله أكبر) in their flags to symbolize an Islamic countries.

Flag_of_Afghanistan       Flag_of_Iran        Flag_of_Iraq              Flag_of_the_Caucasian_Emirate2  
Flag of Afghanistan                    Flag of Iran                                Flag of Iraq                       Flag of the Caucasian Emirate

Meaning and Application of AllahuAkbar (الله أكبر) in Prayers


allahuakbar

The phrase 'Allahu Akbar' is the opening declaration of when a Muslim solat which was prescribed by the Holy Prophet Muhamad (upon whom be peace) to the mujahids of Islam. 

The meaning of this prayer has been explained by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah, also known as Aga Khan III, as follows:

"Consider for example the opening declaration of every Islamic prayer: "Allah-o-Akbar". What does that mean? There can be no doubt that the second word of the declaration likens the character of Allah to a matrix which contains all and gives existence to the infinite, to space, to time, to the Universe, to all active and passive forces imaginable, to life and to the soul."


Allahu Akbar is also mentioned in Azan (The call to prayer) by the Muazzin (The person who gives the Azan)
See example in video.


Allahu Akbar is recited on many occasions:

  1. In the beginning of prayer of Hazrat Bibi Fatimah (upon whom be peace);
  2. When animals are slaughtered; and
  3. By the mujahids of Islam.

In addition to this, the Holy Prophet has encouraged Muslims to recite this prayer according to the following hadith:

"Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "To say: Glory be to Allah; Praise be to Allah; there is no god but Allah; and Allah is most great, is dearer to me than everything on which the sun rises."



Further Explanation by Shadeen Dar

Allahu Akbar means "Allah is great" and is the first sound that a Muslim child hears in his ears when he is born. The words are whispered to the child as part of the Azan or call to prayer to remind him of the religion he is born into and these words will remain a very important part of his life throughout his childhood and as he grows into adulthood.

Used regularly in the 5 daily prayers the Muslim constantly reminds himself of the greatness of the Maker who has made him and the world he is in. They are used in reverence and they are used in awe when the beauty and power of nature is seen around him. These words are spoken at occasions that bring joy and at other times when thanks and blessings are given because a Muslim believes that all happiness and blessing is from Allah. Similarly during times of death there is the acceptance that we come from Him and go to Him, Allah is great and we belong to him so loud lamentations are therefore shunned.