2

I am trying to get a better understanding about Islam, for the reasons of not only research, but spirituality. I have been watching videos of people taking the shahadah and I have noticed that after it is completed, the imam leads a chant where the congregation yells "Allahu Akbar".

Here is a video demonstrating this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfNbMUQZiec

Now, what is that phrase that the imam says in between every "Allahu Akbar"?

Pardon my ignorance; I'm just learning the basics at this point.

1
  • 1
    @Medi1Saif Thank you! Yes, I came across "Takbir" last night, but I was not sure if that was what he was yelling. So, just for clarification, he repetitively says, "Takbir", to which the audience says, "Allahu Akbar"? I find this all very interesting, by the way. I'm happy to be learning more.
    – DarthBotto
    May 31, 2016 at 0:24

1 Answer 1

2

The imam and before that -apparently- the audience is saying: "Takbeer"=saying Allahu Akbar الله أكبر. Takbeer or takbir التكبير in this -the religious- context means saying Allah is great in general. . While in the linguistic context it my refer to expansion, blowing up or amplification.
The intention for this is to praise Allah! As he guided a former disbeliever to His (the true) path.

A bit off-topic: While we have special takbeer for example at the beginning of the prayer: takbirat al-Ihram (here it appears as a singular, the plural is takbiraat with a prolonged "alif").

We also have takbir al 'id the takbir which might follow some prayers after 'id al-adha or before the two prayers of 'id for both there is more or less no clearly prescribed expression, but both only include saying Allahu akbar beside other formulations.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .