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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 as a show of support for the protesting Iranians, it is widely associated with the | 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]] | ||
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 Jihadists<ref name="Ludwig W. Adamec">Ludwig W. Adamec, Historical Dictionary of Islam, Scarecrow Press, 2nd ed. 2009, pg. 32</ref> should give you a clue to this. | 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 is a war cry for the Jihadists<ref name="Ludwig W. Adamec">Ludwig W. Adamec, Historical Dictionary of Islam, Scarecrow Press, 2nd ed. 2009, pg. 32</ref> should give you a clue to this. | ||
==Allah== | ==Analysis== | ||
Let us examine the use of this phrase in [[Islam and Scripture|scripture]], and the use of these words in their original Arabic. | |||
===Allah=== | |||
'''Claim:''' | '''Claim:''' | ||
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{{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.}} | ||
===Why | ====Why some Apologists insist 'Allah' means 'God'==== | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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So, according to Muslims, is 'Allah' the word for 'God' (i.e. the God of [[Ibrahim|Abraham]]) or the name of their particular deity distinct from the God of Christianity and Judaism? No doubt you will receive very different answers depending on the situation. However, the original Arabic script found within the Qur'an tells you all that you need to know. | So, according to Muslims, is 'Allah' the word for 'God' (i.e. the God of [[Ibrahim|Abraham]]) or the name of their particular deity distinct from the God of Christianity and Judaism? No doubt you will receive very different answers depending on the situation. However, the original Arabic script found within the Qur'an tells you all that you need to know. | ||
==Akbar== | ===Akbar=== | ||
'''Claim:''' | '''Claim:''' | ||
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They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is <font color="red">great</font> sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is <font color="blue">greater</font> than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth Allah Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider- <ref>[http://www.irreduciblefifth.force9.co.uk/burhan/b.x.373.htm Quran root browser - ك ب ر - k-b-r]</ref>}} | They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is <font color="red">great</font> sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is <font color="blue">greater</font> than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth Allah Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider- <ref>[http://www.irreduciblefifth.force9.co.uk/burhan/b.x.373.htm Quran root browser - ك ب ر - k-b-r]</ref>}} | ||
===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, 2nd ed. 2009, pg. 32</ref> This precedent was set by Prophet Muhammad when he attacked the Jews of Khaibar. | "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, 2nd ed. 2009, pg. 32</ref> This precedent was set by Prophet Muhammad when he attacked the Jews of Khaibar. | ||