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Allahu Akbar (God is Greater): Difference between revisions
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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 by some non-Muslims | 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 by some non-Muslims as a show of support for the protesting Iranians, it is widely associated with the "radical" (fundamental) Muslims who shout it while engaged in [[Terrorism|Jihad]] - which usually entails the murder of innocent non-Muslims. Many Muslims and their apologists claim it 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." Greater than what? You may ask. The fact that it | However, this is untrue. "Allahu Akbar" does not mean "God is great" as claimed. It actually means "[[Allah]] is greater." Greater than what? You may ask. The fact that it is a war cry for the Jihadis (more recently including Major [[Murder Has A Religion|Nidal Malik Hasan]]) should give you a clue to this. Let us examine the use of this phrase in [[Islam and Scripture|scripture]], and the use of these words in their original Arabic. | ||
==Allah== | ==Allah== | ||
''' | '''Claim:''' | ||
'Allah' is simply the Arab word for 'God.' | 'Allah' is simply the Arab word for 'God.' | ||
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===Why Muslims and Apologists insist 'Allah' means 'God'=== | ===Why Muslims and Apologists insist 'Allah' means 'God'=== | ||
For many (like [[Muhammad]] before them) a [[Lying | For many (like [[Muhammad]] before them) a [[Lying|lie]] is worth being told if it will facilitate proselytisation (Da'wah). For others, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, 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. | ||
It is unfortunate how so many 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. | It is unfortunate how so many 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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==Akbar== | ==Akbar== | ||
''' | '''Claim:''' | ||
'Akbar' means 'great.' | 'Akbar' means 'great.' | ||
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==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
'Allah' is not simply the Arabic word for 'God,' but the name of Islam's chosen deity | '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== | ||