{{Short description|Arabic phrase}} {{Redirect|Allahu Akbar|the former national anthem of Libya|Allahu Akbar (anthem)|other uses|Allahu Akbar (disambiguation)}} {{Distinguish|Takfir}} {{italic title}} {{Infobox Arabic term | title = Takbir | arabic = {{wikt-lang|ar|تَكْبِير}} | arabic_rom = {{Transliteration|ar|takbīr}} | native pronunciation = {{IPA|ar|tak.biːr}} | literal meaning = "magnification [of God]" }} {{Infobox Arabic term | title = Allahu Akbar | arabic = {{wikt-lang|ar|اللّٰهُ أَكْبَر}} | arabic_rom = {{Transliteration|ar|Allāhu ʾAkbar}} | native pronunciation = {{IPA|ar|ʔaɫ.ɫaː.hu ʔak.bar||Ar-eg-الله أكبر.oga}} | literal meaning = "God is greater [than everything]" }}
The {{Lang|ar-Latn|'''takbīr'''}} ({{langx|ar|تَكْبِير}} {{IPA|ar|tak.biːr|}}, {{lit|magnification [of God]}}) is the name for the Arabic phrase ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Allāhu ʾAkbar}}'' ({{langx|ar|اللّٰهُ أَكْبَر}} {{IPA|ar|ʔaɫ.ɫaː.hu ʔak.bar||Ar-eg-الله أكبر.oga}}, {{lit|God is the greatest [of everything]}}).<ref name="10.1163_1573-3912_islam_SIM_7330">Wensinck, A.J., "Takbīr", in: Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition, Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P. Heinrichs. Consulted online on 09 September 2023 {{doi|10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_7330}} First published online: 2012</ref><ref name="OUA">{{cite book | url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195305135.001.0001/acref-9780195305135-e-0980 | isbn=978-0-19-530513-5 | title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World | chapter=Takbīr | date=2009 | publisher=Oxford University Press }}</ref><ref name="Encyclopedia.com 2023">{{cite web | title=Takbīr | website=Encyclopedia.com | date=22 August 2023 | url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/takbir | access-date=9 September 2023 | archive-date=7 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007225523/https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/takbir | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="raleighmasjid.org">{{cite web|title=The Times of the Five Daily Prayers|url=https://raleighmasjid.org/times/|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-date=23 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323152924/https://raleighmasjid.org/times/|url-status=live}}</ref>
It is a common Arabic expression, used in various contexts by Muslims around the world: in formal salah (prayer),<ref name="raleighmasjid.org"/> in the adhan (Islamic call to prayer),<ref name="Nigosian102">{{cite book |last=Nigosian |first=S. A. |title= Islam: Its History, Teaching, and Practices |url=https://archive.org/details/islamitshistoryt0000nigo |url-access=registration |year=2004 |publisher=Indiana University Press |location=Indiana |isbn= 0-253-21627-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/islamitshistoryt0000nigo/page/102 102]}}</ref> in Hajj, as an informal expression of faith, in times of distress or joy, or to express resolute determination or defiance. The phrase is the official motto of Iran and Iraq. It is also used by Orthodox Arab Christians as an expression of faith.<ref name="Telegraph">Emma Bennett, [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/11/what-does-allahu-akbar-mean/ What does Allahu Akbar mean?], ''The Telegraph'' (UK), 12 June 2016.</ref>
==Etymology== [[File:Allahoakbar Vectorized.svg|thumb|{{Lang|ar-Latn|takbīr}} in nastaʿlīq]] thumb|alt=The Takbir written in Thuluth script|The Takbir written in Thuluth script thumb|alt=The Takbir written in Naskh script|Takbir in Naskh script The Arabic word {{lang|ar|كَبِير}} ({{transliteration|ar|DIN|kabīr}}) means ''big'' from the Semitic root ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|k-b-r}}''. A cognate word for this root exists in Hebrew as {{lang|he|כביר}} ({{Transliteration|he|kabir}}). The Arabic word {{lang|ar|أَكْبَر}} ({{transliteration|ar|DIN|ʾakbar}}) is the elative form ("bigger, biggest") of the adjective {{Transliteration|ar|kabīr}} ("big"). When used in the {{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}} it is usually translated as "biggest", but some authors translate it as "bigger".<ref>E. W. Lane, ''Arabic English Lexicon'', 1893, gives for ''kabir'': "bigger, and biggest, in body, or corporeal substance, and in estimation or rank or dignity, and more, or most, advanced in age, older, and oldest" [https://archive.org/stream/ArabicEnglishLexicon.CopiousEasternSources.EnlargedSuppl.Kamoos.Lane.Poole.1863/07.ArabicEnglLex.v1p7.let.21.22.23.24.Qaf.Kaf.Lam.Mim..Lane-Poole.1885.#page/n113/mode/2up (p. 2587)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007201240/https://archive.org/stream/ArabicEnglishLexicon.CopiousEasternSources.EnlargedSuppl.Kamoos.Lane.Poole.1863/07.ArabicEnglLex.v1p7.let.21.22.23.24.Qaf.Kaf.Lam.Mim..Lane-Poole.1885.#page/n113/mode/2up |date=October 7, 2016 }}.</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=A Practical Arabic Grammar|page=66|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ex4UAAAAYAAJ&q=comparative&pg=PA69 |year=1887 |author=A.O.Green|publisher=Clarendon Press}}</ref><ref>"The formula, as the briefest expression of the absolute superiority of the One God, is used in Muslim life in different circumstances, in which the idea of God, His greatness and goodness is suggested." Wensinck, A. J. ''The Encyclopaedia of Islam'', 2nd edition. Brill, 2000. Volume 10, T-U, p. 119, Takbir.</ref> The term ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' itself is the stem II verbal noun of the root {{Transliteration|ar|DIN|k-b-r}}, meaning "big", from which ''akbar'' "bigger" is derived. The form ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Allāhu}}'' is a nominative of ''Allah'', meaning "God".<ref name="EoQ">Böwering, Gerhard, ''God and His Attributes'', Encyclopaedia of the Qurʼān, Brill, 2007.</ref><ref>Macdonald, D. B. ''The Encyclopaedia of Islam'', 2nd edition. Brill, 1971. Volume 3, H-Iram, p. 1093, ''Ilah''.</ref>
The {{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}} is sometimes translated into English as "God is greater", which is short for "God is greater than all" ({{Lang|ar|الله أَكْبَرُ من كلِّ شيء}}). It is an example of an Arabic idiom where an incomplete sentence, abbreviated because of its familiarity, is considered grammatically correct.<ref>{{Cite web |last=إسماعيل عتوك |first=محمد |date=December 2019 |title=لماذا لا نقول في الأذان : ( الله الأكبر ) مع أل التعريف، بدلاً من ( الله أكبر ) ؟ |url=https://quran-m.com/لماذا-لا-نقول-في-الأذان-الله-الأكبر-مع/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611031350/https://quran-m.com/لماذا-لا-نقول-في-الأذان-الله-الأكبر-مع/ |archive-date=2023-06-11}}</ref>
==Usage in Islamic rituals== thumb|A Muslim raises both of his hands to recite the ''takbīr'' in prayer. [[File:Sancaklar Camii Minaresi.jpg|thumb|Calligraphic Takbir in minaret of Sancaklar Mosque]] This phrase is recited by Muslims in many different situations.
===In prayer=== The phrase is said during each stage of both salah (obligatory prayers, performed five times a day), and nafl (supererogatory prayers, performed at will). The call to prayer by the ''muezzin'' to those outside the mosque (''adhan'') and the call to those inside to line up for the commencement of prayer (''iqama'') also contain the phrase.<ref name="Nigosian102"/>
While there are many short prayers like it, the {{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}} is used more frequently than any other.<ref>{{cite web|title=What I learned from Muslims about God|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/called-prayer|author=Patrick J. Ryan, S.J.|date=29 October 2015|publisher=America|access-date=8 January 2025|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207125630/https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/called-prayer|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Following births and deaths=== The phrase is used after the birth of a child as a means of praising God.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jerrahi.org/library/articles/birth_school|title=On Birth & School|access-date=4 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827111517/http://www.jerrahi.org/library/articles/birth_school|archive-date=27 August 2013}}</ref> It is also part of Islamic funeral and burial customs.<ref>{{cite book|last1=el-Hibri|first1=Tayeb|title=Parable and Politics in Early Islamic History: The Rashidun Caliphs|date=19 October 2010|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=9780231521659|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ouwL4dGrTN8C&pg=PA362}}</ref>
===During the Eid Festival and the Hajj=== During the festival of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and also the days preceding it, Muslims recite the ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}''. This is particularly the case on the Day of Arafah.<ref name="Faraz Rabbani">{{cite web|last=Rabbani|first=Faraz|title=The Day of 'Arafah: The 9th of Dhu'l Hijjah |url=http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=763&CATE=3|publisher=Qibla.com|access-date=4 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015192812/http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=763&CATE=3|archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref>
===During the halal slaughter of animals=== In the process of pronouncing the name of God while performing Dhabihah one must say {{Transliteration|ar|Bismillah Allahu Akbar}}.<ref name ="USA">{{cite web|url=https://www.ushalalcertification.com/terminology.html|title=Arabic Definitions|publisher=USA Halal Chamber of Commerce, Inc.|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-date=19 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719162845/https://www.ushalalcertification.com/terminology.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Other social usage== [[File:God is the Greatest-Arabic-Desouk.jpg|thumbnail|''Allāhu akbar'' in a memorial, Desouk, Egypt]] [[File:Imam Ali Shrine - 1994.jpg|thumbnail|''Allāhu akbar'' in Arabic calligraphy seen on Imam Ali Mosque architecture (center of the Iwan), 1994]] thumbnail|A sign with ''Allāhu akbar'' written on the side of a road in the Islamic Republic of Iran The expression ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Allāhu ʾakbar}}'' can be used in a variety of situations, from celebrations to times of grief.
In a historical account by someone who was present both at the birth of the ruler Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr (7th century) and at his funeral, the author observes that ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Allāhu ʾakbar}}'' was said on both occasions.<ref name=suleiman/>
===In times of joy and gratitude=== The ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' can be used to express joy or surprise. It is also used as applause in religious contexts, such as after a Quran recital, as other forms of applause are considered less appropriate.<ref name=venice>{{cite web|title=Allahu akbar: What is the Takbir?|date=25 August 2017|url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/88011/allahu-akbar-what-is-the-takbir|publisher=The Week|access-date=8 January 2025|archive-date=19 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719163313/https://www.theweek.co.uk/88011/allahu-akbar-what-is-the-takbir|url-status=live}}</ref>
It is used to celebrate an election win.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.news18.com/world/mothin-ali-british-councillor-green-party-who-shouted-allahu-akbar-after-being-elected-in-local-polls-8878969.html | title=Who is Mothin Ali? British Councillor Who Shouted 'Allahu Akbar' After Being Elected in Local Polls | date=6 May 2024 | access-date=16 May 2024 | archive-date=16 May 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516093405/https://www.news18.com/world/mothin-ali-british-councillor-green-party-who-shouted-allahu-akbar-after-being-elected-in-local-polls-8878969.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/05/18/copy-of-most-voters-think-allahu-akbar-inappropriate-politicians/ | title=Most voters think shouting 'Allahu Akbar' is inappropriate for politicians | newspaper=The Telegraph | date=18 May 2024 | last1=Hazell | first1=Will }}</ref> As a multi-purpose phrase, it is sometimes used by Arab football commentators as an expression of amazement, or even as a football chant.<ref name=nyt/>
=== Brunei === On 1 January 1984, Begawan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien led the masses of people who chanted the ''takbir'' to celebrate the restoration of independence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scoop |first=The |date=2018-02-23 |title=A look back at Brunei's first National Day |url=http://thescoop.co/2018/02/24/look-back-bruneis-first-national-day/ |access-date=2025-08-08 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===In battle=== Historically, the ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' has been used as a cry of victory during battle.<ref>Ludwig W. Adamec, Historical Dictionary of Islam, Scarecrow Press, 2nd ed. 2009, pg. 32</ref> Ibn Ishaq's 8th century ''Life of Muhammed'' narrates two occasions when Muhammad proclaimed the ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' during battle.<ref>Life of Mohammed [سيرة رسول الله] by Ibn Ishaq, translated by Alfred Guillaume, Oxford University Press, 1955, 17th printing, Karachi, 2004 https://archive.org/details/TheLifeOfMohammedGuillaume</ref>
===Iran=== During the Iranian Revolution of 1979, it was shouted from rooftops in Iran during the evenings as a form of protest. The ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|takbīr}}'' was later adopted as the official motto of Iran.<ref>Constitution of Iran, Article 18</ref> This practice returned in the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090614/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617072238/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090614/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election|url-status=dead |title=Yahoo News|archivedate=June 17, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WU-cxEEJ-E | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211110/9WU-cxEEJ-E| archive-date=2021-11-10 | url-status=live|title=YouTube |publisher=YouTube |date=June 9, 2009 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> which protested the election results.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8386335.stm|title=How Iran's opposition inverts old slogans|date=December 7, 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=December 21, 2009|archive-date=January 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102053922/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8386335.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Bangladesh === In December 2025, a mob attacked the office of ''The Daily Star'' in Farmgate, Dhaka. Chanting slogans such as “Nara-e-Takbir” and “Allahu Akbar,” they smashed glass panels, dragged out chairs, tables, and papers, and set them on fire.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-19 |title=Prothom Alo, The Daily Star offices vandalised, set on fire; all trapped staff evacuated |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/fire-daily-star-doused-trapped-staff-rescued-prothom-alo-building-still-fire-1313526 |access-date=2025-12-20 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref>
===Usage by extremists and terrorists=== {{See also|Islamic terrorism}} The phrase has been used as a battle cry by Islamic extremists and terrorists.<ref name="Chap1">{{cite book |chapter='We Have Some Planes' |url=http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report_Ch1.htm |year=2004 |title=9/11 Commission Report |publisher=National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States |access-date=May 30, 2008 |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514052417/http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report_Ch1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> However, this usage has been denounced by other Muslims.<ref name=suleiman>{{cite news|title=What 'Allahu Akbar' really means|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/01/opinions/allahu-akbar-meaning/index.html|author=Omar Suleiman|publisher=CNN|archive-date=2020-07-27|access-date=2020-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727141624/https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/01/opinions/allahu-akbar-meaning/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt">{{Cite news |last=Nagourney |first=Eric |date=2017-11-02 |title='Allahu Akbar': An Everyday Phrase, Tarnished by Attacks |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/world/americas/allahu-akbar-terrorism.html |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=2021-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112122355/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/world/americas/allahu-akbar-terrorism.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Professor Khaled A. Beydoun, author of ''The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims'' (2023),<ref>{{cite book | isbn=978-0520356306 | title=The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims | last1=Beydoun | first1=Khaled A. | date=21 March 2023 | publisher=Univ of California Press }}</ref> writes that the association of the phrase "Allah Akbar" with terrorism has been exacerbated by mass media and television pundits. He adds that films and shows also utilise it as a cinematic trope further cementing the association.<ref name=beydoun>{{cite news|title=The perils of saying 'Allahu Akbar' in public|author=Khaled Beydoun|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/08/25/the-perils-of-saying-allahu-akbar-in-public/|newspaper=Washington Post|archive-date=2020-12-04|access-date=2020-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204174705/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/08/25/the-perils-of-saying-allahu-akbar-in-public/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===In politics=== In India, Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the AIMIM and Abu Taher Khan, representing TMC, after being elected as members of the Indian Parliament, ended their oath with the slogan of "Allahu Akbar".<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2019 |title='Jai Shri Ram', 'Allahu Akbar': Religious slogans mark swearing in ceremony of 17th LS |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/-jai-shri-ram-allahu-akbar-religious-slogans-mark-swearing-in-ceremony-of-17th-ls-789685 |website=Tribune India |access-date=18 April 2023 |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720000112/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/-jai-shri-ram-allahu-akbar-religious-slogans-mark-swearing-in-ceremony-of-17th-ls-789685 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Usage by Christians === The phrase (Allah; meaning God in English) is recited by Arabic speaking Orthodox Christians as an expression of their faith.<ref name="Telegraph" /> Palestinian Christians use Allah in their prayer to refer to the creator of the world, and the takbir as an expression of their faith. The use of takbir has been defended by Theodosios Hanna, the Palestinian Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia.<ref name="Theodosios">{{cite web | last1=Adib | first1=Reem | last2=Hadji | first2=Sohayle M | last3=Racman | first3=Abdul | last4=Gubat-Manabilang | first4=Monaimah | title=Deciphering the Stereotyping of Arabs, their language and religion by the Bruneians | website=Firdaus Journal | volume=2 | issue=1 | date=15 Jun 2022 | doi=10.37134/firdaus.vol2.1.2.2022 | url=https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/firdaus/article/view/6989/3574 | access-date=23 Nov 2025 | page=20}}</ref>
==Use on flags== ===Afghanistan=== The Afghan constitution that came into force on January 4, 2004, required that ''Allāhu akbar'' be inscribed on the flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.<ref>McCarthy, Andrew C., "Cold Comfort on Islam and Apostasy; No one who's actually read the Afghan constitution should be surprised by the Abdul Rahman case", ''National Review'', March 27, 2006, accessed February 11, 2010]</ref> After the 2021 Taliban offensive, the flag of the first emirate was readopted, and thus the ''takbīr'' removed from the flag.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Taliban hoist giant flag in Afghan capital, eight months after return |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220331-taliban-hoist-giant-flag-in-afghan-capital-eight-months-after-return |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402112722/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220331-taliban-hoist-giant-flag-in-afghan-capital-eight-months-after-return |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Iran=== ''Allāhu akbar'' is written in stylised form across the bottom of the green stripe and the top of the red stripe of the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, adopted in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |last=McKeever |first=Amy| url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/iran-flag-symbolism-history-meaning-controversy | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129160617/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/iran-flag-symbolism-history-meaning-controversy | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 29, 2022 |title=Why Iran's flag is at the center of controversy at the World Cup |date=November 29, 2022 |work= National Geographic|accessdate=10 October 2023}}</ref>
===Iraq=== The phrase ''Allāhu akbar'' is written on the centre of the flag of Iraq.
During the Gulf War in January 1991, Saddam Hussein held a meeting with top military commanders, where it was decided to add the words ''Allāhu akbar'' (described as the Islamic battle cry)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=37gTAAAAIBAJ&pg=5117,3700016&dq=flag+iraq+islamist+allahu-akbar&hl=en |title=New Straits Times |date=January 15, 1991 |access-date=May 8, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> to Iraq's flag to boost his secular regime's religious credentials, casting himself as the leader of an Islamic army.<ref name="usat">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-04-26-iraq-flag_x.htm|title=U.S.-picked Iraq leaders approve new flag|date=April 26, 2004 |work=USA Today|access-date=February 9, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Deroy Murdock |url=http://article.nationalreview.com/268429/the-911-connection/deroy-murdock |title=Murdock, Deroy, "The 9/11 Connection," April 3, 2003 |work=The National Review |access-date=May 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617021913/http://article.nationalreview.com/268429/the-911-connection/deroy-murdock |archive-date=June 17, 2010 }}</ref> Hussein described the flag as "the banner of jihad and monotheism".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0OkasRnU4K0C&q=flag+%22allahu+akbar%22&pg=PA138 |title=Saddam's war of words: politics, religion, and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait |access-date=February 19, 2014 |isbn=978-0-292-70264-6 |last1=Long |first1=Jerry M. |date=April 2004 |publisher=University of Texas Press }}</ref>
In 2004, the US-picked Iraqi Governing Council approved a new flag for Iraq that abandoned symbols of Hussein's regime, such as the words ''Allāhu akbar''.<ref name="usat"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FE26Ak05.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040528171025/http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FE26Ak05.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 28, 2004 |last=Rosen |first=Nir |title=Iraq's religious tide cannot be turned back |work=Asia Times |date=May 26, 2004 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> In January 2008, however, Iraq's parliament passed a law to change the flag by leaving in the phrase, but changing the calligraphy of the words ''Allāhu akbar'', which had been a copy of Hussein's handwriting, to a Kufic script.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jan22/0,4670,IraqFlagDispute,00.html Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, "Iraqi Lawmakers Vote to Change Flag,"] ''USA Today'', January 22, 2008, accessed February 9, 2010 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305202752/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jan22/0%2C4670%2CIraqFlagDispute%2C00.html |date=March 5, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Abdul |first=Qassim |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2008-02-05-1386576333_x.htm |title=Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, "Iraq unveils flag without Saddam's stars" |work=USA Today|date=February 5, 2008 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> The Iraqi flag under Hussein had each of the two words of the phrase written in one of the spaces between the stars on the central band; the flag adopted in 2008 kept the phrase and removed the stars.
===Other uses=== A resistance movement that fought British rule in Waziristan, Pakistan, used a red flag bearing ''Allāhu akbar'' in white letters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-9628676.html |title=Analysis: A ride on the wild side |publisher=UPI |date=September 19, 2005 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref>
The flag used by the Houthis in Yemen also includes bearing ''Allāhu akbar'' in green letters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riedel |first=Bruce |date=2017-12-18 |title=Who are the Houthis, and why are we at war with them? |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2017/12/18/who-are-the-houthis-and-why-are-we-at-war-with-them/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Brookings |language=en-US |archive-date=2018-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163411/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2017/12/18/who-are-the-houthis-and-why-are-we-at-war-with-them/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
<gallery> File:Flag of Iraq.svg|Flag of Iraq, with stylized Kufic script, introduced in 2008 File:Flag of Iran.svg|Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, introduced in 1980 File:Flag of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg|Former flag of Afghanistan, with the phrase beneath the Shahada, used from 2004 to 2021 File:Flag of Waziristan resistance (1930s).svg|Flag of 1930s Waziristan (Pakistan) resistance movement </gallery>
==See also== *Dhikr *Tasbih *Tahmid *Tahlil *Tasmiyah *Salawat *Shahada *Hallelujah *Hallel *Alláh-u-Abhá *Deo optimo maximo
==References== {{Reflist}}
===Sources=== * {{cite book|year=1995|author= Rohi Baalbaki|title=Al-Mawrid|edition=7th |location=Beirut |publisher=Dar El-Ilm Lilmalayin|isbn=9953-9023-1-3}} * {{cite book|year=1870|author=F. Steingass Ph.D., University of Munich|title=Persian-English Dictionary, Including the Arabic words and phrases to be met with in literature |location=Beirut |publisher=Librairie Du Liban}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110917001300/http://www.slate.com/id/2149455/ Essay on the ''takbir''] at ''Slate'' * {{cite web | last=Team | first=Bridge Initiative | title=Allahu Akbar - Factsheet: Islam, Muslims, Islamophobia | website=Bridge Initiative | date=12 September 2017 | url=https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-allahu-akbar/ | access-date=2 Nov 2021 | archive-date=1 November 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101122740/https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-allahu-akbar/ | url-status=dead }}
{{Islamic prayer}} {{Characters and names in the Quran}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Islamic terminology Category:Superlatives in religion Category:Religious formulas Category:Dhikr Category:National mottos