English

What does “Allahu Akbar” mean?

Short answer“Allahu Akbar” means “God is the Greatest,” greater than anything. It is the takbir in the call to prayer, in prayer, in the Eids, at slaughter, and when seeing something awe-inspiring or frightening. It is an act of worship, not a slogan of violence; its meaning is exalting God alone.

The phrase and its pronunciation

Hadith
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allāhu akbar

God is the Greatest

The phrase and its pronunciation

Meaning

Greater and more exalted than all else, so nothing is to be revered above God.

When to say it

  • In the call to prayer and throughout the prayer.
  • In the Eids and the days of Tashriq.
  • In joy, wonder or fear.

How to reply

No special reply; those hearing the call repeat after the muezzin.

The evidence

Quran
وَقُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي لَمۡ يَتَّخِذۡ وَلَدٗا وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُۥ شَرِيكٞ فِي ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُۥ وَلِيّٞ مِّنَ ٱلذُّلِّۖ وَكَبِّرۡهُ تَكۡبِيرَۢا

And say, "Praise to Allāh, who has not taken a son and has had no partner in [His] dominion and has no [need of a] protector out of weakness; and glorify Him with [great] glorification."

Al-Isra 17:111

Frequently asked questions

Is “Allahu Akbar” a call to violence?

No. It opens the call to prayer and the prayer itself, said by millions daily in worship; its misuse by criminals does not change its meaning.

Texts and translations are under scholarly review.