WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ‘ALLAHU AKBAR’?« Back to Questions List

What is the actual meaning of the phrase ‘Allahu Akbar’, which is usually written as ‘God is great’?
Posted by Noor Saba
Asked on 20th September 2016 4:58 pm
0

Allahu Akbar (Arabic: الله أكبر) is an Islamic phrase, called Takbir in Arabic, meaning ”God is greater” or ”God is [the] greatest”. Allahu Akbar or Allahu Ekber and similar variants may also refer to: Allahu Akbar (anthem), the national anthem of Libya from 1969 to 2011.
Source:wikipedia

Posted by Aafreen Seikh
Answered On 20th September 2016 9:29 pm
1

A man said in the presence of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s), a great grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and the 6th holy Imam within Shia Islam:

“Allahu Akbar (God is Greater).”
The holy Imam said: “Do you know what He is greater than?!”
The man said: “He is greater than everything.”
The Imam said: “Then you limited him (as you compared Him with everything).”
He said: “So what should I say?!”
The Imam explained: “Allahu Akbar means: God is greater than being described.”

Reference: (al-Kaafi vol 1. P.117)

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei

Posted by Shaheel Khan
Answered On 20th September 2016 4:59 pm