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Takbir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Arabic |
| الله أَكْبَر |
| Transliteration |
| Allahu Akbar, allāhu akbar |
| Translation |
| Allah is greatest |
The takbīr or takbeer (تَكْبِير) is the Arabic name for the phrase Allāhu Akbar, الله أكبر. Usually translated "God is great" or "God is [the] greatest," it is a common Arabic expression, used as both an informal expression of faith and as a formal declaration.
Contents |
The form akbar is the elative of the adjective kabīr "great". In Semitic languages, an elative may indicate a superlative (best), or a comparative (better). Its consonantal root is k-b-r. The term takbīr (تَكْبِير) itself is the stem II verbal noun (tafʿīlun) of k-b-r.
The word akbar as used in the takbir indicates the superlative, usually translated as "greatest". In Arabic usage, akbar may also be used as a comparative, in which sense it may be approximately translated as "greater". However, few people would apply this sense to this phrase, which in any case has become a fixed expression; such analysis is of interest only from an etymological perspective. Dictionaries carry both senses of akbar[1].
This phrase is recited by Muslims in numerous different situations. For example, when they are happy or wish to express approval, when an animal is slaughtered in a halaal fashion, when they want to praise a speaker, during battles, and even times of extreme stress or euphoria. The term has gained infamy in the eyes of Westerners who view it as mainly a battle cry; the current Western perception is particularly influenced by the use of the phrase in beheading videos (AP 2006) and other militant acts - the more peaceful meanings of the term are rarely shown by the media.
The phrase is said during each stage of both obligatory prayers, which are supposed to be performed five times a day, and superogatory prayers, which are performed at will. The Muslim call to prayer, or adhan, and to commence the prayer, or iqama, also contains the phrase, which is heard in cities all over the Muslim world.
Note that takbīr (تَكْبِير) is only the name of the expression, while the phrase itself is "Allahu Akbar". In the Islamic world, instead of applause, often someone will shout "takbir" and the crowd will respond "Allahu Akbar" in chorus.
The phrase "Allahu Akbar" is written on the center of the flag of Iraq, along the borders of the central white stripe on the flag of Iran, and beneath the Shahadah in the 2004 draft constitution of Afghanistan in white script on the central red background.
 Current flag of Iraq with stylized Kufic script. |
 Current flag of the Islamic republic of Iran, introduced in 1980. |
- ^ Some dictionary definitions of k-b-r derivatives include:
- E. W. Lane, Arabic English Lexicon, 1893
- kabīr: great in body, or corporeal substance, and in estimation or rank or dignity
- akbar: 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
- F. Steingass, 1970
- kabīr: Great, large, bulky, immense, heavy, serious, senior, elder...
- akbar: Greater, greatest.
- R. Baalbaki, 1995
- kabīr: Great, big, large, sizeable, bulky, huge, senior...
- akbar: Greater, bigger, larger, major, senior, superior.
- E. W. Lane, Arabic English Lexicon, 1893
- Dr. Rohi Baalbaki (1995). Al-Mawrid, 7th, DAR EL-ILM LILMALAYIN, Beirut.
- F. Steingass PhD, University of Munich (1970). Persian-English Dictionary, Including the Arabic words and phrases to be met with in literature. Librairie Du Liban, Beirut.
- AP (2006), written at Baghdad, "New beheading video aims to quash hopes for respite in Iraq violence", USA Today (Arlington, Va.: Gannett), 2006-06-10, ISSN 0734-7456, OCLC 8799626, <http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-06-10-iraq-beheadings_x.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- Fisher, Ian (2006-09-18), "Pope’s Regrets Over Statement Fail to Quiet a Storm of Protests", New York Times (Rome), 2006-09-19, ISSN 0362-4331, <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/world/europe/19pope.html?ei=5088&en=c56927eae2c42670&ex=1316318400&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all>. Retrieved on 2007-0825.