by Shaheen Darr

Created on: November 07, 2008   Last Updated: November 11, 2010

Allahu Akbar means "Allah is great" and is the first sound that a Muslim child hears in his ears when he is born. The words are whispered to the child as part of the Azan or call to prayer to remind him of the religion he is born into and these words will remain a very important part of his life throughout his childhood and as he grows into adulthood.

Used regularly in the 5 daily prayers the Muslim constantly reminds himself of the greatness of the Maker who has made him and the world he is in. They are used in reverence and they are used in awe when the beauty and power of nature is seen around him. These words are spoken at occasions that bring joy and at other times when thanks and blessings are given because a Muslim believes that all happiness and blessing is from Allah. Similarly during times of death there is the acceptance that we come from Him and go to Him, Allah is great and we belong to him so loud lamentations are therefore shunned.

Even at the moment of slaughtering an animal these words are uttered and the slaughter is done in a humane way to reduce the suffering to the animal. The act of sacrificing the animal is reminiscent of the sacrifice that Prophet Abraham performed in the name of God and the words "Allahu Akbar" remind us of that moment when Ishmael, Prophet Abraham's son was replaced by a ram at the moment of sacrifice.

These are two words which are heavy with meaning as they give so much strength and sense of belonging to a Muslim person who lives his life with the belief of the greatness of his Maker and never forgets it for all long as he lives on earth. It is this one to one with Allah that also helps to keep the Muslim's feet firmly on the ground and reminds him constantly of his mortality. His behaviour and his attitude should reflect this and he should walk in peace on earth amongst his fellow human beings as he will be answerable to his Maker one day for all his words and actions.

It also gives a Muslim the knowledge that the only power belongs to Allah and there is no one that he should bow to or be subservient to but Allah. Therefore in the ideal world it should free a human from any slavery or bondage from another human being. These words are used to give strength to the soul in situations where there is a feeling of oppression or domination as the Muslim will remind himself that the only entity to fear or ask for help is Allah who sent him on earth.

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