The Meaning of the phrase "allah akbar"

[New Yorker]

If I hear those words, it is the same as a Marine hearing the words GRENADE! It means HIT THE DECK! a bomb is about to go off!

I thought that while riding the subway today, if I heard someone loudly say "allah akbar!" in the subway car, I'd immediately hit the deck and try to stay under the blast shrapnel. Honestly, I think everyone should remember, "allah akbar" means HIT THE DECK!, or like they used to say in the cold war films, DUCK AND COVER! Remember it as a reflex, that reflex might save your life someday, no joke.

Unless you are on an airplane, then allah akbar means, beat the sh** out of the guy who said it until he is unconscious or dead.

And that was your public service announcement for today. 

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[Rubystars]

Yes New Yorker I think that's a very good idea. I know if I heard it in public I would be very frightened.

[Raulmarrio2000]

Al-lah Akbar means "G-d is Great". Nothing wrong if said in a prayer. But when said in public outiside the Muslim religious service, it's 99.99% likely that it means that the person is a terrorist ready to attack. May G-d protect us from such a terrible situation.

[Ari Ben-Canaan]

[rhayat1]

Al-lah Akbar means "G-d is Great". Nothing wrong if said in a prayer. But when said in public outiside the Muslim religious service, it's 99.99% likely that it means that the person is a terrorist ready to attack. May G-d protect us from such a terrible situation.

Actually it literally means "G-d is the greatest".  "G-d is great" would be "Alla hu kabir".

[GoIsraelGo!]

Yes New Yorker I think that's a very good idea. I know if I heard it in public I would be very frightened.

Ruby, if I was in a crowd and I heard a sickening middle eastern accent saying alla ackbar,
I would run in the opposite direction.


                                                Shalom - Dox

[Ulli]

Al-lah Akbar means "G-d is Great". Nothing wrong if said in a prayer. But when said in public outiside the Muslim religious service, it's 99.99% likely that it means that the person is a terrorist ready to attack. May G-d protect us from such a terrible situation.

In fact it means "Allah (G-d) is greater"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takbir

[New Yorker]

Al-lah Akbar means "G-d is Great". Nothing wrong if said in a prayer. But when said in public outiside the Muslim religious service, it's 99.99% likely that it means that the person is a terrorist ready to attack. May G-d protect us from such a terrible situation.

In fact it means "Allah (G-d) is greater"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takbir

Nooo, that's just academic, in reality it means GRENADE!!!!!

[Ulli]

Al-lah Akbar means "G-d is Great". Nothing wrong if said in a prayer. But when said in public outiside the Muslim religious service, it's 99.99% likely that it means that the person is a terrorist ready to attack. May G-d protect us from such a terrible situation.

In fact it means "Allah (G-d) is greater"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takbir

Nooo, that's just academic, in reality it means GRENADE!!!!!

You meant:
For us it means: Grenade - Take cover. 

[syyuge]

"allahu akbar"<< Theologically and practically it translates in to a signal of imminent danger requiring diving for immediate cover and retaliating if the situation permits. This all is irrespective of its so-called theoretical meaning.

In case this slogan is shouted with the ill intentions to instill the so-called fear in to the hearts of righteous persons, then the high slogan to erase its ill effects is >> "Pagi mein chirackbhar".
   

[wonga66]

"Allahu Akbar" believe it or not comes straight out of Sefer Iyov in our Tenach: E-l Kabir אל קביר (Iyov 36:5)!

[rhayat1]

"Allahu Akbar" believe it or not comes straight out of Sefer Iyov in our Tenach: E-l Kabir אל קביר (Iyov 36:5)!

I think it's funny that y'all automatically change any mention of G-O-D to "G-d" when that English word is not even one of the seven names of G-d that should not be spoken in vain - and yet it's perfectly okay to spell out the actual word "El" in Hebrew which IS one of the seven names.  Doesn't make much sense to me.

[muman613]

"Allahu Akbar" believe it or not comes straight out of Sefer Iyov in our Tenach: E-l Kabir אל קביר (Iyov 36:5)!

Doesnt sound a bit like El Kabir to me...

[muman613]

"Allahu Akbar" believe it or not comes straight out of Sefer Iyov in our Tenach: E-l Kabir אל קביר (Iyov 36:5)!

I think it's funny that y'all automatically change any mention of G-O-D to "G-d" when that English word is not even one of the seven names of G-d that should not be spoken in vain - and yet it's perfectly okay to spell out the actual word "El" in Hebrew which IS one of the seven names.  Doesn't make much sense to me.

I think that the filter should change all names of Hashem so as to prevent desecration of the name. Just because the filter is not perfect is no reason to belittle the desire to prevent desecration of the name. I personally change all references to Hashems name out of respect and out of a desire to prevent its destruction.

And G-d when talking about the ONE G-d of Israel should be respected, as it is a representation of Hashem. But halachically you are correct. It is not one of the divine names... Yet it should be respected also, unless talking about avodah zarah.... Strange Worship... Other gods...

[rhayat1]

"Allahu Akbar" believe it or not comes straight out of Sefer Iyov in our Tenach: E-l Kabir אל קביר (Iyov 36:5)!

I think it's funny that y'all automatically change any mention of G-O-D to "G-d" when that English word is not even one of the seven names of G-d that should not be spoken in vain - and yet it's perfectly okay to spell out the actual word "El" in Hebrew which IS one of the seven names.  Doesn't make much sense to me.

I think that the filter should change all names of Hashem so as to prevent desecration of the name. Just because the filter is not perfect is no reason to belittle the desire to prevent desecration of the name. I personally change all references to Hashems name out of respect and out of a desire to prevent its destruction.

And G-d when talking about the ONE G-d of Israel should be respected, as it is a representation of Hashem. But halachically you are correct. It is not one of the divine names... Yet it should be respected also, unless talking about avodah zarah.... Strange Worship... Other gods...

Yeah, it's tough to program a filter to make such fine distinctions.

[wonga66]

"Allahu Akbar" believe it or not comes straight out of Sefer Iyov in our Tenach: E-l Kabir אל קביר (Iyov 36:5)!

Doesnt sound a bit like El Kabir to me...

If you can't hear the similarity between "Allahu Akbar" and "E-l Hu Kabir", then you should see an audiometrist!