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Allahu Akbar: In Context

Posted July 13th, 2006 by Omar Gatto
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So, yesterday I was praying before starting my workday. For some reason I got thinking about the constant use of Allahu Akbar in prayer while I should have been reciting dua ABC or otherwise ritually engaged. I remember people telling me and even reading somewhere that it means that God is above my material world. I suddenly thought of placing myself in the shoes of the first Muslims and wondering maybe what Allahu Akbar meant to them. Well, lets put aside the politicized meaning ('our civilization is greater') and socialist meaning ('spirit is greater than materialism') of Allahu Akbar for a moment. Does it not makes sense that constantly repeating "God is Greater" (akbar has always meant greater, not "Great" or even "greatest") is supposed to remind the Muslim that God is greater than the idols worshipped around him or her? I think it makes perfect sense. 


But, God seems to have purposefully elided the rest of the comparison. Perhaps like many things in Islam it may be meant to mean different things to different people in different times and different circumstances. Hmm, an Islam for every moment. Cool. 

Comments

 UMMM... Allah ho Akbar is

On July 13th, 2006 aaakn says:


 UMMM... Allah ho Akbar is humbling.It is also a reassurance for me,personally, that He is there and listening and there to guide/aid me.


its a potent call to that someone out there…


imagine




be open to change,but never give up your values

"it may be meant to mean

On July 13th, 2006 Willow says:

“it may be meant to mean different things to different people in different times and different circumstances.”


God, I hope so.

I always feel when I raise

On July 13th, 2006 Laury Silvers says:

I always feel when I raise my hands to enter into a state of ihram for the prayer and say “Allahu Akbar” that I am letting everything go to simply be with God for a time. The salat is such a generous thing. We get to do this thing that helps us direct our attention toward God, step into this place of sanctity before God, be welcomed and rest in God for a while. I love what you said Omar. You know, the Qur’an says that God speaks to people in their own language.


Allahu Akbar!

We are surrounded by

On July 13th, 2006 Buzz Kill says:

We are surrounded by beautiful and awful beings and objects of all colors and shapes and meanings. And we are given a mind that is addicted to these things like a drug (as the Sufi master says).


Allahu Akbar, to me, means to release association of these things with:


God
yourself


and quiet the mind for salat, concentration of energies and silent contemplation


Buzz Kill

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