The phrase Allahu Akbar ( الله أكبر) as a standalone phrase would be translated to “God is the Greatest.” If this expression was used in comparison to something else, then it would be translated as “God is greater.” Some individuals have come up with the idea that it is an incorrect utterance to say this phrase. Their reasoning typically consists of a number of arguments.
Allahu Akbar is not in the Quran
Akbar is not a name of God
God is not comparable
Allahu Akbar in Quran
While the expression Allahu Akbar ( الله أكبر) is not in the Quran in isolation, as a superlative, it does occur a couple times as a comparative in a broader phrase. If this expression was not appropriate to be stated we would not expect to see it written even in this format.
29:45 You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD is greater. GOD knows everything you do.
9:72 GOD promises the believing men and the believing women gardens with flowing streams, wherein they abide forever, and magnificent mansions in the gardens of Eden. But the approval GOD is greater. This is the greatest triumph.
The word Akbar ( أكبر) comes from the root كبر (k-b-r), which has the derivative meanings of most, many, and big. In the Arabic of the Quran, when a ( أ) is added to a descriptor, it is like adding an -er or -est to a word in English, in the form of a comparative or superlative, respectively. In Classical Arabic, one cannot add the ( أ) to just any word, as only descriptors can grammatically use this form. This is similar to English, where adding the -er or -est suffix only works with adjectives. Some examples of the use of ( أ) and its corresponding translation can be seen below.
Below are some examples from the Quran showing how ( أ) is used as a prefix in this manner.
10:61 You do not get into any situation, nor do you recite any Quran, nor do you do anything, without us being witnesses thereof as you do it. Not even an atom’s weight is out of your Lord’s control, be it in the heavens or the earth. Nor is there anything smaller ( أَصْغَرَ) than an atom, or larger ( أَكْبَرَ), that is not recorded in a profound record.
2:217 They ask you about the Sacred Months and fighting therein: say, “Fighting therein is a sacrilege. However, repelling from the path of GOD and disbelieving in Him and in the sanctity of the Sacred Mosque (Masjid), and evicting its people, are greater ( أَكْبَرُ) sacrileges in the sight of GOD. Oppression is worse than murder.” They will always fight you to revert you from your religion, if they can. Those among you who revert from their religion, and die as disbelievers, have nullified their works in this life and the Hereafter. These are the dwellers of Hell, wherein they abide forever.
2:219 They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, “In them there is a sin great ( كَبِيرٌ), and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness is greater ( أَكْبَرُ) than their benefit.” They also ask you what to give to charity: say, “The excess.” GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect,
6:19 Say, “Whose testimony is the greatest ( أَكْبَرُ)?” Say, “GOD’s. He is the witness between me and you that this Quran has been inspired to me, to preach it to you and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods beside GOD.” Say, “I do not testify as you do; there is only one god, and I disown your idolatry.”
10:35 Say, “Does any of your idols guide to the truth?” Say, “GOD guides to the truth. Is one who guides to the truth more worthy ( أَحَقُّ) of being followed, or one who does not guide, and needs guidance for himself? What is wrong with your judgment?”
Some people extrapolate this to mean that nothing can be compared to God and misconstrue this to mean that it is wrong to set up any comparisons between anything and God. The problem with this argument is that the Quran is replete with examples where God is comparing Himself to others to magnify God (See 5:114, 6:57, 7:89, 7:87, 7:151, 12:64, 12:92, 21:83, 23:109, 23:118).
7:151 (Moses) said, “My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us into Your mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.”
5:114 Said Jesus, the son of Mary, “Our god, our Lord, send down to us a feast from the sky. Let it bring plenty for each and every one of us, and a sign from You. Provide for us; You are the best of the providers.”
7:89 “We would be blaspheming against GOD if we reverted to your religion after GOD has saved us from it. How could we revert back to it against the will of GOD our Lord? Our Lord’s knowledge encompasses all things. We have put our trust in GOD. Our Lord, grant us a decisive victory over our people. You are the best of the supporters.”
7:155 Moses then selected seventy men from among his people, to come to our appointed audience. When the quake shook them, he said, “My Lord, You could have annihilated them in the past, together with me, if You so willed. Would You annihilate us for the deeds of those among us who are foolish? This must be the test that You have instituted for us. With it, You condemn whomever You will, and guide whomever You will. You are our Lord and Master, so forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best of the forgivers.
The Quran even informs us that to God belongs the best examples ( الْمَثَلُ).
To God belongs the best examples
16:60 Those who do not believe in the Hereafter set the worst examples, while to GOD belongs the most sublime examples. He is the Almighty, the Most Wise.
The Quran commands the believers to magnify God. This means raising God higher and higher and elevating His status to be greater and greater.
17:111 And proclaim: “Praise be to GOD, who has never begotten a son, nor does He have a partner in His kingship, nor does He need any ally out of weakness,” and magnify Him constantly.
One of the names of God is also a title of Sura 87, The Most High (Al-A‘alaa / الأَعلَى). Additionally, God also has the name in the Quran The High (Al-A’laa / الْعَلِي). The only distinction between these two names of God is the ( أ). This shows that God is not only the High but also The Highest or The Most High. This method of adding a ( أ) to elevate God’s name can work for all the names that are descriptions of God but does not work for the term Allah (God). This is because Allah (God) is not a description.
Allahu Akbar
To elevate the name of God using the name Allah (God), one cannot just add a ( أ) to this name because, unlike the other names of God, this name is not a descriptor. Therefore to elevate the name of Allah (God) even higher, we would do this by adding the superlative in the form of the word “greatest.” Therefore this is how we magnify God, by stating “Allahu Akbar” ( الله أكبر) God is the Greatest!