Question:
I have a question about Allah-u Akbar expression. What does this expression for a Muslim?
In order to answer this question, first of all have to see which is,
The definition of "Allah-u Akbar"
Islamic dictionary gives the following definition of this term:
Allahu Akbar means "God is greatest", meaning that nothing can be above God, or be better than him. It is a common phrase in Islam and recited the Adhan (call to prayer) and prayer. Muslims use this term for many reasons and it expresses many emotions.
Site Wikiislam gives the following definition of this term:
Allah - the Arabic word for God. Akbar - Arabic does not translate as "Great" but "greater" or "largest".
If "Allahu Akbar" means "God is greatest", ask: "More than what or whom?" When you explain this expression, site www.wikiislam.net In conclusion he writes:
Allah is simply Arabic word for "God", but Islam is the name chosen for his divinity (god of the Ka'aba placed pre-Islamic) and Akbar does not mean "big" but "bigger". Higher than what? The answer is: Allah is greater than any god that jump happened to you.
For a better understanding of the origin of the name Allah in Islam, I recommend you read the article on the portal "origin of Allah"
What does it mean for a Muslim?
On January 8, 2008 the Malaysian government banned the Christians in the country to call their God "Allah". Government did not want it to keep in mind that Malay language, evolving, borrowed many words from Arabic, Sanskrit and Portuguese, as Malaysia does not have another word to define God but Allah. In 2010 this prohibition was lifted , which resulted in violent protests and the explosion of several churches by Muslims. One of the protesters then said the following:
"Allah is only for us (Muslims), Christians can use any other word, we do not care, just please do not use the word Allah" (Faedzah Fuad)
Therefore, "Allah" and the phrase "Allah-u Akbar" is a word that Muslims tend to use that and their identification with Islam. For a Muslim saying these words involves many emotions. In practice, I noticed that Muslims use this term in three situations: 1) call to prayer from the mosque minaret. 2) While the Muslim prayer. 3) Or when he is angry rebel, shoot or explode like a bomb ...
Can a Christian to use this expression?
Generally, if nothing is wrong with it. We Christians also believe that God is Great and Almighty. There should be a matter of Christian doctrine for the use of this expression. However, I want to tell you a story that can bring more light on our question:
A few years ago, after the presidential election in Iran, the country broke a protest sign of dissatisfaction with the election results. After several days, the government of Iran began a massive battle against all protesters. Many Iraneji fell sacrifice of those protests. One of the main targets of Muslim government, were Christians. In those days, living on the roof of each building, standing secret police. Some Christians, seized with fear, came to the balcony of the house and shouted "Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar". Thus, those Christians wanted to make the Securitate Muslims believe they are Christians but not Muslims.
The question is: "Either these Christians rejected Christ?" Someone can say "No! What harm did the fact that they shouted "God is greatest?" However, my opinion is that those Christians were denied Christ. The phrase "Allah-u Akbar" the one who speaks identifies with Islam, and Christians in Muslim countries know this very well. If a Muslim hears you saying "Allah-u Akbar" he will identify with Islam and no way to Christ. As a Christian you want this? Want to say "God is Great"? Tell your native language, why would you want to use an expression in Arabic knowing that you associate with Islam and not Christ? Expressions like these Muslim gives great hope on your conversion to Islam and all that you say after that he will not be able to hear.
God help us to be light and walk in His light forever!
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