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Revision as of 09:48, 12 May 2004 by Zhen Lin (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Allahu Akbar (أَلله أَكْبَر) is short for "Allahu Akbar min kullishay" which means God is greater than everything. Allahu Akbar by itself translates to "God is greatest." (akbar أَكْبَر is an elative form, meaning greater, greatest, or very great.) Muslims leave the phrase unfinished, with the implication that God is greater than anything you can possibly think of.
It is perhaps the most commonly spoken phrase on the planet. Since there are over a billion Muslims in the world, and since this phrase is said during each stage of prayer, which is supposed to be performed five times a day, and at countless other times, conservative estimates indicate that it must be spoken over a billion times each day.
This formula is recited by Muslims in numerous different situations; during the Adhan (call for prayer), during prayer itself, when they are happy or wish to express approval, when they slaughter an animal, and when they want to praise a speaker.
The actual title of this phrase is Takbeer (تَكْبِير), while the phrase itself is "Allahu Akbar." In the Islamic world, instead of applause, often someone will yell "Takbeer" and the crowd will respond "Allahu Akbar" in chorus.
External link
Libyan Anthem
"Allahu Akbar" is also the title of the national anthem of Libya – which, thanks to Qadhafi's long-vanished hopes of uniting the Arab world, studiously avoids making any direct reference to the country in question:
God is above any attacker's tricks,
And God is the best helper for the oppressed,
God is above any attacker's tricks,
And God is the best helper for the oppressed,
With certainty and with weapons I shall defend
My nation, truth's light shining in my hand;
Say it with me, say it with me:
God is greatest, God is greatest, God is greatest!
God is great over the attacker's tricks!
Oh this world, watch and listen:
The enemy came coveting my position,
Oh this world, watch and listen:
The enemy came coveting my position,
I shall fight with weapons and defenses
And if I die, I'll take him with me!
Say it with me, say it with me:
God is greatest, God is greatest, God is greatest!
God is above any attacker's tricks!