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Allahu Akbar (God is Greater): Difference between revisions
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Allahu Akbar (God is Greater) (view source)
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
Although the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (الله أكبر) is a common phrase used by all Muslims in various situations, including the [[Salah]] (obligatory five [[prayers]] a day) and has even been used in the past by some non-Muslims as a show of support for the protesting Iranians, it is widely associated with the Muslims who shout it whilst engaged in [[Terrorism|Jihad]] | Although the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (الله أكبر) is a common phrase used by all Muslims in various situations, including the [[Salah]] (obligatory five [[prayers]] a day) and has even been used in the past by some [[non-Muslims]] as a show of support for the protesting [[Iran|Iranians]], it is widely associated with the Muslims who shout it whilst engaged in [[Terrorism|Jihad]]. Many Muslims and their apologists claim it is simply the [[Arabic]] translation of a common English phrase meaning "God is great!" This article analyzes this apologetic claim by examining the use of the phrase in [[Islam and Scripture|scripture]], and the use of these words in their original Arabic. | ||
Many Muslims and their apologists claim it is simply the [[Arabic]] translation of a common English phrase meaning "God is great!" | |||
==Analysis== | ==Analysis== | ||
===Allah=== | ===Allah=== | ||
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'''Literal:''' There is no <font color="blue">god</font> but <font color="red">Allah</font> and Muhammad is the messenger of <font color="red">Allah</font>.}} | '''Literal:''' There is no <font color="blue">god</font> but <font color="red">Allah</font> and Muhammad is the messenger of <font color="red">Allah</font>.}} | ||
As you can see, even though many English speaking Muslims claim it states "there is no god but God", this is | As you can see, even though many English speaking Muslims claim it states "there is no god but God", this is not the case. Muslims view the name Allah as a proper noun, as opposed to a common noun descriptive applicable to any deity. Allah is not the generic word for 'god' in Arabic, but the ''name'' of Islam's deity. | ||
{{Quote|[http://bewley.virtualave.net/Riscreeds.html The Risala of 'Abdullah ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani]<BR>A Treatise on Maliki Fiqh (Including commentary from ath-Thamr ad-Dani by al-Azhari)(310/922 - 386/996)|['''1.1a'''] The belief that Allah is One is the fundamental basis of Islam, and when Divine Unity is expressed, '''the name "Allah" must be used. It is not permissible to say, "There is no god but the Almighty"''' or use any other names except Allah for the shahada. Nothing at all resembles Him or is equal to Him.}} | {{Quote|[http://bewley.virtualave.net/Riscreeds.html The Risala of 'Abdullah ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani]<BR>A Treatise on Maliki Fiqh (Including commentary from ath-Thamr ad-Dani by al-Azhari)(310/922 - 386/996)|['''1.1a'''] The belief that Allah is One is the fundamental basis of Islam, and when Divine Unity is expressed, '''the name "Allah" must be used. It is not permissible to say, "There is no god but the Almighty"''' or use any other names except Allah for the shahada. Nothing at all resembles Him or is equal to Him.}} | ||
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====Why some Apologists insist 'Allah' means 'God'==== | ====Why some Apologists insist 'Allah' means 'God'==== | ||
For some, it is a [[Lying|lie]] told to facilitate proselytisation (Da'wah). For others, it is purely out of ignorance. Language is always evolving, so the actual definition of a word and its popular usage can, and very often does, differ. For example, 'gay' still means 'happy' but through its use in western pop-culture, it can also mean '[[Islam and Homosexuality|homosexual]]'. This is also the case for the word "Allah" in predominantly Muslim cultures and societies. It is used interchangeably with 'God', as most people are Muslims; to them Allah is God, thus to make a distinction would be redundant. | For some, it is a [[Lying|lie]] told to facilitate proselytisation (Da'wah). For others, it is purely out of ignorance. Language is always evolving, so the actual definition of a word and its popular usage can, and very often does, differ. For example, 'gay' still means 'happy' but through its use in western pop-culture, it can also mean '[[Islam and Homosexuality|homosexual]]'. This is also the case for the word "[[Allah]]" in predominantly Muslim cultures and societies. It is used interchangeably with 'God', as most people are Muslims; to them Allah is God, thus to make a distinction would be redundant. | ||
Some are willing to take advantage of people's ignorance of the Arabic language when it suits their purpose. For example: the [[Fake Conversions|false conversion]] story of pop legend [[Michael Jackson (Conversion to Islam)|Michael Jackson]]. A video entitled 'Inshallah' (Allah willing) has been doing the rounds on user-contributed media sites like YouTube. It contains edited footage of Michael Jackson using the phrase 'Inshallah,' and its editor proudly proclaimed on its page "only Muslims say Inshallah." a view which was echoed by many of the Muslim commentators who viewed it. However, it was simply a case of selective editing. The Muslim who made the video had cut off the first part of Michael's statement. It was a 12 year-old promo for his Tunisian fans on the eve of his ''HIS''tory world tour. Since Arabic is [[Tunisia]]'s official language and since Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians living in Tunisia also use the phrase 'Inshallah', it was not proof that he had converted to Islam. | Some are willing to take advantage of people's ignorance of the Arabic language when it suits their purpose. For example: the [[Fake Conversions|false conversion]] story of pop legend [[Michael Jackson (Conversion to Islam)|Michael Jackson]]. A video entitled 'Inshallah' (Allah willing) has been doing the rounds on user-contributed media sites like YouTube. It contains edited footage of Michael Jackson using the phrase 'Inshallah,' and its editor proudly proclaimed on its page "only Muslims say Inshallah." a view which was echoed by many of the Muslim commentators who viewed it. However, it was simply a case of selective editing. The Muslim who made the video had cut off the first part of Michael's statement. It was a 12 year-old promo for his Tunisian fans on the eve of his ''HIS''tory world tour. Since Arabic is [[Tunisia]]'s official language and since Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians living in Tunisia also use the phrase 'Inshallah', it was not proof that he had converted to Islam. | ||
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====Used in Context by Muhammad==== | ====Used in Context by Muhammad==== | ||
"Allahu Akbar" has been used historically by Muslims as a battle cry during war.<ref name="Ludwig W. Adamec">Ludwig W. Adamec, Historical Dictionary of Islam, Scarecrow Press, | "Allahu Akbar" has been used historically by Muslims as a battle cry during war.<ref name="Ludwig W. Adamec">Ludwig W. Adamec, "Historical Dictionary of Islam", Scarecrow Press, 2<sup>nd</sup> ed. 2009, p. 32</ref> This precedent was set by Prophet [[Muhammad]] when he attacked the Jews of Khaibar. | ||
In the following [[sahih]] [[hadith]], you can see the phrase has been translated correctly into English by Muslims. | In the following [[sahih]] [[hadith]], you can see the phrase has been translated correctly into English by Muslims. | ||
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==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
'Allah' is not simply the Arabic word for 'God,' but the name of Islam's chosen deity and 'Akbar' does not mean 'great, | Many Muslims and their apologists claim "Allahu Akbar" is simply the Arabic translation of a common English phrase meaning "God is great!" However, this is untrue. "Allahu Akbar" does not mean "God is great" as claimed. It actually means "Allah is greater." | ||
'Allah' is not simply the Arabic word for 'God,' but the name of Islam's chosen deity and 'Akbar' does not mean 'great', but 'greater'. Greater than what? The answer is, ''Allah is greater than whatever god you happen to believe in''. | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||