What does Allahu Akbar mean? Being Muslims, we all know the importance of the word Allahu Akbar. People often use different meanings for this word.
Muslims say this word many times during the day while praying. Muslims use this word to praise their creator. For Muslims, this word is a peaceful reminder of their commitment to Islam.
Allahu Akbar is an Arabic word that means “God is Greatest”. This phrase is used in Islamic prayers and broadcasted from Mosques to pray five times a day. Allahu Akbar is more than just a phrase for Muslims. It is a way of life.
When a person praises Allah, he accepts that Allah is the only creator of the universe and there is no God except Him. He always asks Allah for anything and follows the footstep of Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W).
Many Islamic countries like Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq feature this phrase on their national flag. This shows the importance of this word for Muslims of the world.
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The Word: Allahu Akbar
The term Allah means God, while Akbar has a different meaning. The word Akbar أَكْبَر means excellent. It can be used both for a superlative and comparative in Arabic. So, the word Akbar means Greater or Greatest.
Best Translation of Allahu Akbar
Non-Muslims mostly use the translation of this word as Allah is great. Many foreign newspapers use God is excellent for this word which is not entirely correct in the Muslim world.
The entire belief of Islam revolves around this sentence that Allah is the greatest. So, when Muslims use this translation, they use “Allah is Greater”. Muslims always stick to the Arabic translation of this word, but the word’s meaning gets lost when it comes to non-Muslims.
Misconception About Allahu Akbar among West
Some Islamic extremists have used this word as a war cry that tarnishes the image of Islam and raise misconception about this word. Extremists commit atrocities in the name of Islam and spread the wrong message to the whole world.
This phase was linked with terror during 9/11, and then the west often used this word to link terrorism and Islam. Islam is a peaceful religion, and people who kill others are not Muslim.
Many Muslim countries raise their concern on this issue in many international forums. Organizations are working on a different level to restore the original meaning of this word among the west.
Benefits of Reciting Allahu Akbar
Reciting verses from the Holy Quran or Hadith is an essential part of our lives. Muslims recite Surah and Ayat’s to seek the blessings and kindness of Allah. They pray fives times a day, and reciting Allahu Akbar is part of their prayer.
When a Muslim says this word daily, he acknowledges that Allah is his creator. By remembering Him daily, Muslims ask for forgiveness for their wrongdoings and pray to go to paradise.
What does Allahu Akbar mean? Allahu Akbar means Allah is the Greatest, so the more you recite this word daily, the more you will be closer to your creator.
Here are some of the benefits of reciting this word.
1. Remembering Allah
Reciting Allahu Akbar day and night will make Muslims remember Allah. By remembering Allah, you are praising him for his blessings. In Quran:
فَاذْكُرُوْنِيْٓ اَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوْا لِيْ وَلَا تَكْفُرُوْنِ
“So, remember Me, I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and do not disobey Me” (2;152)
2. Gratitude
All the blessings in our life are due to the mercy of Allah. The Quran mentions that Muslims should show their gratitude towards all the things they have in their lives. The benefit of Remembering Allah will bring you closer to Him.
وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللّٰهَ عَلٰى مَا هَدٰىكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْن٥
“Be sufficient in numbers and glorify Allah for His guidance, so that you may be grateful” (2:185)
3. Self-control
We face problems every day, which makes us intolerant, and sometimes we lose our self-control. It is very important to repress your anger, and you can do this by remembering Allah every day. When you recite Allahu Akbar, it becomes the anger controller tool, and you can avoid forming many embarrassing situations.
In Quran:
وَالَّذِيْنَ اِذَا فَعَلُوْا فَاحِشَةً اَوْ ظَلَمُوْٓا اَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللّٰهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوْا لِذُنُوْبِهِمْۗ وَمَنْ يَّغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ ۗ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوْا عَلٰى مَا فَعَلُوْا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُوْن
“Those who do heinous deeds or wrong themselves, (immediately) remember Allah, then ask forgiveness for their sins, and who (again) can forgive sins other than Allah? And they do not do that, while they know” (3:135)
4. Peace of Mind
Quran and Hadith both mention so many times that if Muslims praise Allah they will get peace of mind, mercy, and blessing from Allah. What does Allahu Akbar mean? It means Allah is the greatest, and the best way to get peace of mind and self-control is to praise him.
الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَتَطْمَىِٕنُّ قُلُوْبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللّٰهِ ۗ اَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللّٰهِ تَطْمَىِٕنُّ الْقُلُوْب
“Those who believe and their hearts find peace in the remembrance of Allah. Remember, only by remembering Allah does the heart find peace” (13:28)
Wrapping Up:
What does Allahu Akbar mean? It means Allah is the greatest. It is a Muslim. We all believe in that phrase. Reciting this phrase will help us overcome our fears, self-control and bring peace of mind. The meaning of this phrase is often misunderstood by the west when they link it to the Extremists. Islam is the religion of peace and harmony, and as Muslims, it is our duty to thank Him for his blessing.