View source for Takbir

{{Short description|Arabic phrase "ʾAllāhu ʾakbar", meaning "God is the greatest"}}
{{Redirect2|Allahu Akbar|Allah Akbar|the former national anthem of Libya|Allahu Akbar (anthem)|other uses|Allahu Akbar (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Takfir}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox Arabic term
| title                = Takbir
| arabic               = {{large|{{wikt-lang|ar|تَكْبِير}}}}
| arabic_rom           = {{Transliteration|ar|takbīr}}
| native pronunciation = {{IPA|ar|tak.biːr}}
| literal meaning      = "magnification [of God]"
}}
{{Infobox Arabic term
| title                = Allahu Akbar
| arabic               = {{large|{{wikt-lang|ar|اَللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ}}}}
| arabic_rom           = {{Transliteration|ar|Allāhu ʾakbar}}
| native pronunciation = {{IPA|ar|ʔaɫ.ɫaː.hu ʔak.bar||Ar-eg-الله أكبر.oga}}
| literal meaning      = "God is the greatest [than everything]"
}}

The '''''takbīr''''' ({{langx|ar|تَكْبِير}}, {{IPA|ar|tak.biːr|pron}}, {{lit|magnification [of God]}}) is the name for the Arabic phrase ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|'''Allāhu ʾakbar'''}}'' ({{langx|ar|اَللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ}}, {{IPA|ar|ʔaɫ.ɫaː.hu ʔak.bar|pron|Ar-eg-الله أكبر.oga}}, {{lit|Allah is the greatest}}).<ref name="10.1163_1573-3912_islam_SIM_7330">Wensinck, A.J., "Takbīr", in: Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition, Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P. Heinrichs. Consulted online on 09 September 2023 {{doi|10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_7330}}
First published online: 2012</ref><ref name="OUA">{{cite book | url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195305135.001.0001/acref-9780195305135-e-0980 | isbn=978-0-19-530513-5 | title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World | chapter=Takbīr | date=2009 | publisher=Oxford University Press }}</ref><ref name="Encyclopedia.com 2023">{{cite web | title=Takbīr | website=Encyclopedia.com | date=22 Aug 2023 | url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/takbir | access-date=9 September 2023 | archive-date=7 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007225523/https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/takbir | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="raleighmasjid.org">{{cite web|title=The Times of the Five Daily Prayers|url=https://raleighmasjid.org/times/|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-date=23 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323152924/https://raleighmasjid.org/times/|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is a common Arabic expression, used in various contexts by [[Muslim]]s and [[Arabs]] around the world: in formal [[salah]] (prayer),<ref name="raleighmasjid.org"/> in the [[adhan]] (Islamic call to prayer),<ref name="Nigosian102">{{cite book |last=Nigosian |first=S. A. |title= Islam: Its History, Teaching, and Practices |url=https://archive.org/details/islamitshistoryt0000nigo |url-access=registration |year=2004 |publisher=[[Indiana University Press]] |location=[[Indiana]] |isbn= 0-253-21627-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/islamitshistoryt0000nigo/page/102 102]}}</ref> in [[Hajj]], as an informal expression of faith, in times of distress or joy, or to express resolute determination or defiance. The phrase is the official motto of [[Iran]] and [[Iraq]]. It is also used by Orthodox [[Arab Christians]] as an expression of faith.<ref name="Telegraph">
Emma Bennett, [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/11/what-does-allahu-akbar-mean/ What does Allahu Akbar mean?], The Telegraph (UK), 12 June 2016.
</ref>

==Etymology==
[[File:Allahoakbar Vectorized.svg|thumb|The ''takbīr'' in [[Nastaliq|nastaʿlīq]]]]
[[File:Takbir in Thuluth.svg|thumb|alt=The Takbir written in Thuluth script|The Takbir written in Thuluth script]]
[[File:Takbir in naskh.svg|thumb|alt=The Takbir written in Naskh script|Takbir in Naskh script]]
The Arabic word {{lang|ar|كَبِير}} ({{transliteration|ar|DIN|kabīr}}) means ''big'' from the [[Semitic root]] ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|[[kāf|k]]-[[bāʼ|b]]-[[rāʼ|r]]}}''. A [[cognate]] word for this root exists in [[Hebrew]] as {{lang|he|כביר}} ({{Transliteration|he|kabir}}). The Arabic word {{lang|ar|أَكْبَر}} ([[:wikt:أَكْبَر|{{transliteration|ar|DIN|ʾakbar}}]]) is the [[Elative (gradation)|elative]] form ("bigger, biggest") of the [[adjective]] {{Transliteration|ar|kabīr}} ("big"). When used in the {{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}} it is usually translated as "biggest", but some authors translate it as "bigger".<ref>E. W. Lane, ''[[Arabic English Lexicon]]'', 1893, gives for ''kabir'': "bigger, and biggest, in body, or corporeal substance, and in estimation or rank or dignity, and more, or most, advanced in age, older, and oldest" [https://archive.org/stream/ArabicEnglishLexicon.CopiousEasternSources.EnlargedSuppl.Kamoos.Lane.Poole.1863/07.ArabicEnglLex.v1p7.let.21.22.23.24.Qaf.Kaf.Lam.Mim..Lane-Poole.1885.#page/n113/mode/2up (p. 2587)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007201240/https://archive.org/stream/ArabicEnglishLexicon.CopiousEasternSources.EnlargedSuppl.Kamoos.Lane.Poole.1863/07.ArabicEnglLex.v1p7.let.21.22.23.24.Qaf.Kaf.Lam.Mim..Lane-Poole.1885.#page/n113/mode/2up |date=October 7, 2016 }}.</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=A Practical Arabic Grammar|page=66|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ex4UAAAAYAAJ&q=comparative&pg=PA69 |year=1887 |author=A.O.Green|publisher=Clarendon Press}}</ref><ref>"The formula, as the briefest expression of the absolute superiority of the One God, is used in Muslim life in different circumstances, in which the idea of God, His greatness and goodness is suggested." Wensinck, A. J. ''The [[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]'', 2nd edition. Brill, 2000. Volume 10, T-U, p. 119, Takbir.</ref> The term ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' itself is the stem II [[Arabic grammar|verbal noun]] of the root {{Transliteration|ar|DIN|k-b-r}}, meaning "big", from which ''akbar'' "bigger" is derived. The form ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Allāhu}}'' is a [[nominative]] of ''[[Allah]]'', meaning "[[God in Islam|God]]".<ref name="EoQ">Böwering, Gerhard, ''God and His Attributes'', Encyclopaedia of the Qurʼān, Brill, 2007.</ref><ref>Macdonald, D. B. ''The [[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]'', 2nd edition. Brill, 1971. Volume 3, H-Iram, p. 1093, ''[[Ilah]]''.</ref>

The {{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}} is sometimes translated into English as "God is greater", which is short for "God is greater than all" ({{Lang|ar|الله أَكْبَرُ من كلِّ شيء}}). It is an example of an Arabic idiom where an incomplete sentence, abbreviated because of its familiarity, is considered grammatically correct.<ref>{{Cite web |last=إسماعيل عتوك |first=محمد |date=December 2019 |title=لماذا لا نقول في الأذان : ( الله الأكبر ) مع أل التعريف، بدلاً من ( الله أكبر ) ؟ |url=https://quran-m.com/لماذا-لا-نقول-في-الأذان-الله-الأكبر-مع/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611031350/https://quran-m.com/لماذا-لا-نقول-في-الأذان-الله-الأكبر-مع/ |archive-date=2023-06-11}}</ref>

==Usage in Islamic rituals==
[[File:Takbir of prayer.jpg|thumb|A Muslim raises both of his hands to recite the ''takbīr'' in prayer.]]
[[File:Sancaklar Camii Minaresi.jpg|thumb|Calligraphic Takbir in minaret of [[Sancaklar Mosque]]]]
This phrase is recited by [[Muslim]]s in many different situations.

===In prayer===
The phrase is said during each stage of both [[salah]] (obligatory prayers, performed five times a day), and [[Nafl prayer|nafl]] (supererogatory prayers, performed at will). The call to prayer by the ''[[muezzin]]'' to those outside the mosque (''[[adhan]]'') and the call to those inside to line up for the commencement of prayer (''[[iqama]]'') also contain the phrase.<ref name="Nigosian102"/>

While there are many short prayers like it, the {{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}} is used more frequently than any other.<ref>{{cite web|title=What I learned from Muslims about God|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/called-prayer|author=Patrick J. Ryan, S.J.|date=29 October 2015|publisher=[[America (magazine)|America]]|access-date=8 January 2025|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207125630/https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/called-prayer|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Following births and deaths===
The phrase is used after the birth of a child as a means of praising God.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jerrahi.org/library/articles/birth_school|title=On Birth & School|access-date=4 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827111517/http://www.jerrahi.org/library/articles/birth_school|archive-date=27 August 2013}}</ref> It is also part of [[Islamic funeral]] and burial customs.<ref>{{cite book|last1=el-Hibri|first1=Tayeb|title=Parable and Politics in Early Islamic History: The Rashidun Caliphs|date=19 October 2010|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|isbn=9780231521659|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ouwL4dGrTN8C&pg=PA362}}</ref>

===During the Eid Festival and the Hajj===
During the festival of [[Eid al-Adha]] and the days preceding it, Muslims recite the ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}''. This is particularly the case on the [[Day of Arafah]].<ref name="Faraz Rabbani">{{cite web|last=Rabbani|first=Faraz|title=The Day of 'Arafah: The 9th of Dhu'l Hijjah |url=http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=763&CATE=3|publisher=Qibla.com|access-date=4 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015192812/http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=763&CATE=3|archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref>

===During the halal slaughter of animals===
In the process of pronouncing the name of God while performing [[Dhabihah]] one must say {{Transliteration|ar|Bismillah Allahu Akbar}}.<ref name ="USA">{{cite web|url=https://www.ushalalcertification.com/terminology.html|title=Arabic Definitions|publisher=USA Halal Chamber of Commerce, Inc.|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-date=19 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719162845/https://www.ushalalcertification.com/terminology.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Other social usage==
[[File:God is the Greatest-Arabic-Desouk.jpg|thumbnail|''Allāhu akbar'' in a memorial, [[Desouk]], [[Egypt]]]]
[[File:Imam Ali Shrine - 1994.jpg|thumbnail|''Allāhu akbar'' in Arabic calligraphy seen on [[Imam Ali Shrine|Imam Ali Mosque]] architecture (center of the Iwan), 1994]]
[[File:Roads_in_iran.jpg|thumbnail|A sign with ''Allāhu akbar'' written on the side of a road in Iran]]
The expression ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Allāhu ʾakbar}}'' can be used in a variety of situations, from celebrations to times of grief.

In a historical account by someone who was present both at the birth of the ruler [[Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr]] (7th century) and at his funeral, the author observes that ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Allāhu ʾakbar}}'' was said on both occasions.<ref name=suleiman/>

===In times of joy and gratitude===
The ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' can be used to express joy or surprise. It is also used as applause in religious contexts, such as after a Quran recital, as other forms of applause are considered less appropriate.<ref name=venice>{{cite web|title=Allahu akbar: What is the Takbir?|date=25 August 2017|url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/88011/allahu-akbar-what-is-the-takbir|publisher=[[The Week]]|access-date=8 January 2025|archive-date=19 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719163313/https://www.theweek.co.uk/88011/allahu-akbar-what-is-the-takbir|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is used to celebrate an election win.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.news18.com/world/mothin-ali-british-councillor-green-party-who-shouted-allahu-akbar-after-being-elected-in-local-polls-8878969.html | title=Who is Mothin Ali? British Councillor Who Shouted 'Allahu Akbar' After Being Elected in Local Polls | date=6 May 2024 | access-date=16 May 2024 | archive-date=16 May 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516093405/https://www.news18.com/world/mothin-ali-british-councillor-green-party-who-shouted-allahu-akbar-after-being-elected-in-local-polls-8878969.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/05/18/copy-of-most-voters-think-allahu-akbar-inappropriate-politicians/ | title=Most voters think shouting 'Allahu Akbar' is inappropriate for politicians | newspaper=The Telegraph | date=18 May 2024 | last1=Hazell | first1=Will }}</ref>
As a multi-purpose phrase, it is sometimes used by Arab football commentators as an expression of amazement, or even as a [[football chant]].<ref name=nyt/>

===In battle===
Historically, the ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' has been used as a cry of victory during battle.<ref>Ludwig W. Adamec, Historical Dictionary of Islam, Scarecrow Press, 2nd ed. 2009, pg. 32</ref> [[Ibn Ishaq]]'s 8th century ''Life of Muhammed'' narrates two occasions when [[Muhammad]] proclaimed the ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' during battle.<ref>Life of Mohammed [سيرة رسول الله] by Ibn Ishaq, translated by Alfred Guillaume, Oxford University Press, 1955, 17th printing, Karachi, 2004 https://archive.org/details/TheLifeOfMohammedGuillaume</ref>

===Iran===
During the [[Iranian Revolution]] of 1979, it was shouted from rooftops in Iran during the evenings as a form of protest. The ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' was later adopted as the official motto of Iran.<ref>[[Constitution of Iran]], Article 18</ref> This practice returned in the [[2009 Iranian presidential election protests]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090614/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617072238/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090614/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election|url-status=dead |title=Yahoo News|archivedate=June 17, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WU-cxEEJ-E | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211110/9WU-cxEEJ-E| archive-date=2021-11-10 | url-status=live|title=YouTube |publisher=YouTube |date=June 9, 2009 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> which protested the election results.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8386335.stm|title=How Iran's opposition inverts old slogans|date=December 7, 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=December 21, 2009|archive-date=January 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102053922/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8386335.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Usage by extremists and terrorists===
{{See also|Islamic terrorism}}
The phrase has been used as a battle cry by [[Islamic extremism|Islamic extremists]] and [[Islamic terrorism|terrorists]].<ref name="Chap1">{{cite book |chapter='We Have Some Planes' |url=http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report_Ch1.htm |year=2004 |title=9/11 Commission Report |publisher=National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States |access-date=May 30, 2008 |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514052417/http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report_Ch1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> However, this usage has been denounced by other Muslims.<ref name=suleiman>{{cite news|title=What 'Allahu Akbar' really means|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/01/opinions/allahu-akbar-meaning/index.html|author=[[Omar Suleiman (imam)|Omar Suleiman]]|publisher=[[CNN]]|archive-date=2020-07-27|access-date=2020-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727141624/https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/01/opinions/allahu-akbar-meaning/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt">{{Cite news |last=Nagourney |first=Eric |date=2017-11-02 |title='Allahu Akbar': An Everyday Phrase, Tarnished by Attacks |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/world/americas/allahu-akbar-terrorism.html |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=2021-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112122355/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/world/americas/allahu-akbar-terrorism.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Professor [[Khaled A. Beydoun]], author of ''The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims'' (2023),<ref>{{cite book | isbn=978-0520356306 | title=The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims | last1=Beydoun | first1=Khaled A. | date=21 March 2023 | publisher=Univ of California Press }}</ref> writes that the association of the phrase "Allah Akbar" with terrorism has been exacerbated by mass media and television pundits. He adds that films and shows also utilize it as a cinematic [[Trope (cinema)|trope]] further cementing the association.<ref name=beydoun>{{cite news|title=The perils of saying 'Allahu Akbar' in public|author=Khaled Beydoun|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/08/25/the-perils-of-saying-allahu-akbar-in-public/|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|archive-date=2020-12-04|access-date=2020-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204174705/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/08/25/the-perils-of-saying-allahu-akbar-in-public/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===In politics===
In India, [[Asaduddin Owaisi]], president of the [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen|AIMIM]] and [[Abu Taher Khan]], representing [[Trinamool Congress|TMC]], after being elected as [[Member of Parliament (India)|members of the Indian Parliament]], ended their oath with the slogan of "Allahu Akbar".<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2019 |title='Jai Shri Ram', 'Allahu Akbar': Religious slogans mark swearing in ceremony of 17th LS |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/-jai-shri-ram-allahu-akbar-religious-slogans-mark-swearing-in-ceremony-of-17th-ls-789685 |website=Tribune India |access-date=18 April 2023 |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720000112/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/-jai-shri-ram-allahu-akbar-religious-slogans-mark-swearing-in-ceremony-of-17th-ls-789685 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Usage by Christians ===
The phrase (Allah; meaning God in English) is only used by [[Arab Christians]] in third person view, and is rarely mentioned during prayers or church service.{{citation needed | reason = also clarify denomination and nationality, this is likely a different sect to Palestinian? |date=April 2025}} The [[Palestinian Christians]] use Allah in their prayer to refer to the creator of the world, and the takbir as an expression of their faith. The use of takbir has been defended by [[Theodosios Hanna]], the Palestinian Orthodox [[Archbishop]] of [[Sebastia, Nablus|Sebastia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiessen |first=Terrance |title=We Palestinian Christians say Allahu Akbar |url=https://www.thoughtstheological.com/we-palestinian-christians-say-allahu-akbar/ |access-date=2021-02-20 |website=Thoughts Theological |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Use on flags==
===Afghanistan===
The Afghan constitution that came into force on January 4, 2004, required that ''Allāhu akbar'' be inscribed on the flag of the [[Islamic Republic of Afghanistan]].<ref>McCarthy, Andrew C., "Cold Comfort on Islam and Apostasy; No one who's actually read the Afghan constitution should be surprised by the Abdul Rahman case", ''[[National Review]]'', March 27, 2006, accessed February 11, 2010]</ref> After the [[Taliban takeover|2021 Taliban offensive]], the [[Flag of Afghanistan|flag of the first emirate]] was readopted, and thus the ''takbīr'' removed from the flag.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Taliban hoist giant flag in Afghan capital, eight months after return |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220331-taliban-hoist-giant-flag-in-afghan-capital-eight-months-after-return |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402112722/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220331-taliban-hoist-giant-flag-in-afghan-capital-eight-months-after-return |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Iran===
''Allāhu akbar'' is written in stylized form across the bottom of the green stripe and the top of the red stripe of the [[Flag of Iran|flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran]], adopted in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |last=McKeever |first=Amy| url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/iran-flag-symbolism-history-meaning-controversy | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129160617/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/iran-flag-symbolism-history-meaning-controversy | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 29, 2022 |title=Why Iran's flag is at the center of controversy at the World Cup |date=November 29, 2022 |work= National Geographic|accessdate=10 October 2023}}</ref>

===Iraq===
The phrase ''Allāhu akbar'' is written on the center of the [[flag of Iraq]].

During the [[Gulf War]] in January 1991, [[Saddam Hussein]] held a meeting with top military commanders, where it was decided to add the words ''Allāhu akbar'' (described as the Islamic [[battle cry]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=37gTAAAAIBAJ&pg=5117,3700016&dq=flag+iraq+islamist+allahu-akbar&hl=en |title=New Straits Times |date=January 15, 1991 |access-date=May 8, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> to Iraq's flag to boost his secular regime's religious credentials, casting himself as the leader of an Islamic army.<ref name="usat">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-04-26-iraq-flag_x.htm|title=U.S.-picked Iraq leaders approve new flag|date=April 26, 2004 |work=USA Today|access-date=February 9, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Deroy Murdock |url=http://article.nationalreview.com/268429/the-911-connection/deroy-murdock |title=Murdock, Deroy, "The 9/11 Connection," April 3, 2003 |work=The National Review |access-date=May 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617021913/http://article.nationalreview.com/268429/the-911-connection/deroy-murdock |archive-date=June 17, 2010 }}</ref>  Hussein described the flag as "the banner of jihad and monotheism".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0OkasRnU4K0C&q=flag+%22allahu+akbar%22&pg=PA138 |title=Saddam's war of words: politics, religion, and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait |access-date=February 19, 2014 |isbn=978-0-292-70264-6 |last1=Long |first1=Jerry M. |date=April 2004 |publisher=University of Texas Press }}</ref>

In 2004, the US-picked [[Iraqi Governing Council]] approved a new flag for Iraq that abandoned symbols of Hussein's regime, such as the words ''Allāhu akbar''.<ref name="usat"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FE26Ak05.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040528171025/http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FE26Ak05.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 28, 2004 |last=Rosen |first=Nir |title=Iraq's religious tide cannot be turned back |work=Asia Times |date=May 26, 2004 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> In January 2008, however, Iraq's [[Council of Representatives of Iraq|parliament]] passed a law to change the flag by leaving in the phrase, but changing the [[calligraphy]] of the words ''Allāhu akbar'', which had been a copy of Hussein's handwriting, to a [[Kufic]] script.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jan22/0,4670,IraqFlagDispute,00.html Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, "Iraqi Lawmakers Vote to Change Flag,"] ''[[USA Today]]'', January 22, 2008, accessed February 9, 2010  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305202752/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jan22/0%2C4670%2CIraqFlagDispute%2C00.html |date=March 5, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Abdul |first=Qassim |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2008-02-05-1386576333_x.htm |title=Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, "Iraq unveils flag without Saddam's stars" |work=USA Today|date=February 5, 2008 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> The Iraqi flag under Hussein had each of the two words of the phrase written in one of the spaces between the stars on the central band; the flag adopted in 2008 decided to leave the phrase in, removes the stars.

===Other uses===
A resistance movement that fought British rule in [[Waziristan]], [[Pakistan]], used a red flag bearing ''Allāhu akbar'' in white letters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-9628676.html |title=Analysis: A ride on the wild side |publisher=UPI |date=September 19, 2005 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref>

[[Slogan of the Houthi movement|The flag used by the Houthis]] in Yemen also includes bearing ''Allāhu akbar'' in green letters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riedel |first=Bruce |date=2017-12-18 |title=Who are the Houthis, and why are we at war with them? |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2017/12/18/who-are-the-houthis-and-why-are-we-at-war-with-them/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Brookings |language=en-US |archive-date=2018-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163411/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2017/12/18/who-are-the-houthis-and-why-are-we-at-war-with-them/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Flag of Iraq.svg|[[Flag of Iraq]], with stylized Kufic script, introduced in 2008
File:Flag of Iran.svg|[[Flag of Iran]], introduced in 1980
File:Flag of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg|Former [[flag of Afghanistan]], with the phrase beneath the [[Shahada]], used from 2004 to 2021
File:Flag of Waziristan resistance (1930s).svg|Flag of 1930s [[Waziristan|Waziristan (Pakistan)]] resistance movement
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Dhikr]]
*[[Tasbih]]
*[[Alhamdulillah|Tahmid]]
*[[Tahlil]]
*[[Basmala|Tasmiyah]]
*[[Salawat]]
*[[Shahada]]
*[[Hallelujah]]
*[[Hallel]]
*[[Alláh-u-Abhá]]
*[[Deo optimo maximo]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book|year=1995|author= Rohi Baalbaki|title=Al-Mawrid|edition=7th |location=Beirut |publisher=Dar El-Ilm Lilmalayin|isbn=9953-9023-1-3}}
* {{cite book|year=1870|author=[[F. Steingass]] Ph.D., University of Munich|title=Persian-English Dictionary, Including the Arabic words and phrases to be met with in literature |location=Beirut |publisher=Librairie Du Liban}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110917001300/http://www.slate.com/id/2149455/ Essay on the ''takbir''] at ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''
* {{cite web | last=Team | first=Bridge Initiative | title=Allahu Akbar - Factsheet: Islam, Muslims, Islamophobia | website=Bridge Initiative | date=12 September 2017 | url=https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-allahu-akbar/ | access-date=2 Nov 2021}}

{{Islamic prayer}}
{{Characters and names in the Quran}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Islamic terminology]]
[[Category:Superlatives in religion]]
[[Category:Religious formulas]]
[[Category:Dhikr]]