alakbar

AlAkbar, commonly romanized as Allāhu Akbar, is an Arabic phrase meaning "God is the greatest." The phrase is built from Allāhu, the nominative form of God in Arabic, and Akbar, the comparative adjective "greater" or "greatest." In Islamic usage, it functions as an expression of faith and as a liturgical formula.

In religious practice, Allāhu Akbar appears prominently in the daily life of Muslims. It is recited as a takbir during the call to prayer (adhan) and at the start of each unit of ritual prayer (rak‘ah). It is also used during celebrations, religious festivals, and moments of praise or gratitude. The phrase is often uttered in everyday speech as an affirmation of faith, especially in moments of awe or astonishment.

Transliteration and pronunciation vary; common forms include Allāhu Akbar, Allāh Akbar, and Allahu Akbar, reflecting differences in vowels and spacing. The expression is widely used across Arabic-speaking and Muslim-majority communities, with regional variants in pronunciation.

In modern times, Allāhu Akbar has appeared in media and political discourse, sometimes detached from its religious meaning, which has contributed to misunderstandings about its significance. In general, the phrase retains its core role as a devotional declaration within Islam, separate from political or militant contexts.