Allahu Akbar (God is Greater): Difference between revisions

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'''ilah''' =<font size="6"><font color="blue"> اله</font> </font><font size="4">(</font>alif <font size="4">ا</font>, lam <font size="4">ل</font>, ha <font size="4">ه)</font>
'''ilah''' =<font size="6"><font color="blue"> اله</font> </font><font size="4">(</font>alif <font size="4">ا</font>, lam <font size="4">ل</font>, ha <font size="4">ه)</font>


====Evidence====


How do we know this? The [[Shahadah]] is one of the [[Five Pillars of Islam|five pillars of Islam]], and is recited by all Muslims:
The [[Shahadah]] is one of the [[Five Pillars of Islam|five pillars of Islam]], and is recited by all Muslims:


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====Why some Apologists insist 'Allah' means 'God'====
====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 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.  


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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'''Greater''' = <font size="6"><font color="blue">أكبر</font></font><font size="4"> (</font>Akbar<font size="4">)</font>
'''Greater''' = <font size="6"><font color="blue">أكبر</font></font><font size="4"> (</font>Akbar<font size="4">)</font>


====Evidence====


They are not interchangeable words. For evidence, we only need look to the Qur'an. Both kebir (great) and akbar (greater) are used in the following verse:
Kebir and akbar are not interchangeable words. For evidence, we only need look to the Qur'an. Both kebir (great) and akbar (greater) are used in the following verse:


{{Quote|{{Qtt|2|219}}|2=
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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>}}
===Allahu Akbar===
<!-- ====Lane's Lexicon and Other Sources====
The most revered and scholarly dictionary of the Arabic language state:
{{Quote|E. W. Lane, Arabic English Lexicon, 1893, p. 2587|greater, and greatest, in body, or corporeal substance, and in estimation or rank or dignity, and more, or most, advanced in age, older, and oldest}} -->


====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.  


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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