Takbir

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The takbīr (Template:Langx, Script error: No such module "IPA"., Template:Lit) is the name for the Arabic phrase Template:Transliteration (Template:Langx, Script error: No such module "IPA"., Template:Lit).[1][2][3][4]

It is a common Arabic expression, used in various contexts by Muslims around the world: in formal salah (prayer),[4] in the adhan (Islamic call to prayer),[5] 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.[6]

Etymology

File:Allahoakbar Vectorized.svg
The takbīr in nastaʿlīq
The Takbir written in Thuluth script
The Takbir written in Thuluth script
The Takbir written in Naskh script
Takbir in Naskh script

The Arabic word Script error: No such module "Lang". (Template:Transliteration) means big from the Semitic root Template:Transliteration. A cognate word for this root exists in Hebrew as Script error: No such module "Lang". (Template:Transliteration). The Arabic word Script error: No such module "Lang". ([[:wikt:أَكْبَر|Template:Transliteration]]) is the elative form ("bigger, biggest") of the adjective Template:Transliteration ("big"). When used in the Template:Transliteration it is usually translated as "biggest", but some authors translate it as "bigger".[7][8][9] The term Template:Transliteration itself is the stem II verbal noun of the root Template:Transliteration, meaning "big", from which akbar "bigger" is derived. The form Template:Transliteration is a nominative of Allah, meaning "God".[10][11]

The Template:Transliteration is sometimes translated into English as "God is greater", which is short for "God is greater than all" (Script error: No such module "Lang".). It is an example of an Arabic idiom where an incomplete sentence, abbreviated because of its familiarity, is considered grammatically correct.[12]

Usage in Islamic rituals

File:Takbir of prayer.jpg
A Muslim raises both of his hands to recite the takbīr in prayer.
File:Sancaklar Camii Minaresi.jpg
Calligraphic Takbir in minaret of Sancaklar Mosque

This phrase is recited by Muslims 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 (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.[5]

While there are many short prayers like it, the Template:Transliteration is used more frequently than any other.[13]

Following births and deaths

The phrase is used after the birth of a child as a means of praising God.[14] It is also part of Islamic funeral and burial customs.[15]

During the Eid Festival and the Hajj

During the festival of Eid al-Adha and the days preceding it, Muslims recite the Template:Transliteration. This is particularly the case on the Day of Arafah.[16]

During the halal slaughter of animals

In the process of pronouncing the name of God while performing Dhabihah one must say Template:Transliteration.[17]

Other social usage

File:God is the Greatest-Arabic-Desouk.jpg
Allāhu akbar in a memorial, Desouk, Egypt
File:Imam Ali Shrine - 1994.jpg
Allāhu akbar in Arabic calligraphy seen on Imam Ali Mosque architecture (center of the Iwan), 1994
File:Roads in iran.jpg
A sign with Allāhu akbar written on the side of a road in Iran

The expression Template:Transliteration 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 Template:Transliteration was said on both occasions.[18]

In times of joy and gratitude

The Template:Transliteration 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.[19]

It is used to celebrate an election win.[20][21] As a multi-purpose phrase, it is sometimes used by Arab football commentators as an expression of amazement, or even as a football chant.[22]

In battle

Historically, the Template:Transliteration has been used as a cry of victory during battle.[23] Ibn Ishaq's 8th century Life of Muhammed narrates two occasions when Muhammad proclaimed the Template:Transliteration during battle.[24]

Iran

During the Iranian Revolution of 1979, it was shouted from rooftops in Iran during the evenings as a form of protest. The Template:Transliteration was later adopted as the official motto of Iran.[25] This practice returned in the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests,[26][27] which protested the election results.[28]

Usage by extremists and terrorists

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The phrase has been used as a battle cry by Islamic extremists and terrorists.[29] However, this usage has been denounced by other Muslims.[18][22]

Professor Khaled A. Beydoun, author of The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims (2023),[30] 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 further cementing the association.[31]

In politics

In India, Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the AIMIM and Abu Taher Khan, representing TMC, after being elected as members of the Indian Parliament, ended their oath with the slogan of "Allahu Akbar".[32]

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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.[33]

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.[34] After the 2021 Taliban offensive, the flag of the first emirate was readopted, and thus the takbīr removed from the flag.[35]

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 the Islamic Republic of Iran, adopted in 1980.[36]

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)[37] to Iraq's flag to boost his secular regime's religious credentials, casting himself as the leader of an Islamic army.[38][39] Hussein described the flag as "the banner of jihad and monotheism".[40]

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.[38][41] In January 2008, however, Iraq's 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.[42][43] 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.[44]

The flag used by the Houthis in Yemen also includes bearing Allāhu akbar in green letters.[45]

See also

References

Template:Reflist

Sources

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External links

Template:Sister project

Template:Islamic prayer Template:Characters and names in the Quran Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ 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 Script error: No such module "doi". First published online: 2012
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Emma Bennett, What does Allahu Akbar mean?, The Telegraph (UK), 12 June 2016.
  7. ↑ 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" (p. 2587) Template:Webarchive.
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ Böwering, Gerhard, God and His Attributes, Encyclopaedia of the Qurʼān, Brill, 2007.
  11. ↑ Macdonald, D. B. The Encyclopaedia of Islam, 2nd edition. Brill, 1971. Volume 3, H-Iram, p. 1093, Ilah.
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Ludwig W. Adamec, Historical Dictionary of Islam, Scarecrow Press, 2nd ed. 2009, pg. 32
  24. ↑ 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
  25. ↑ Constitution of Iran, Article 18
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ 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]
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Dead link
  38. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, "Iraqi Lawmakers Vote to Change Flag," USA Today, January 22, 2008, accessed February 9, 2010 Template:Webarchive
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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