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{{Short description|Arabic phrase "ʾAllāhu ʾakbar", meaning "God is the greatest"}}
{{Redirect2|Allahu Akbar|Allah akbar|the former national anthem of Libya|Allahu Akbar (anthem)|other uses|Allahu Akbar (disambiguation)}}

The '''Takbir''' ({{lang-ar|تَكْبِير}}, {{IPA-ar|tak.biːr|pron}}, "magnification [of God]"){{efn|Also transliterated as '''Takbīr''', '''Takbiir''' or '''Takbeer'''.}} is the name for the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] phrase ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|''' ʾAllāhu ʾakbar{{smallsup|u}}'''}}'' ({{lang|ar|ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ}}, {{IPA-ar|ʔaɫ.ɫaː.hu ʔak.baru|pron|Ar-eg-الله أكبر.oga}}), meaning "God is the greatest".<ref name="">Wensinck, A.J., "Takbīr", in: Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition, Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P. Heinrichs. Consulted online on 09 September 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_7330>
First published online: 2012</ref><ref name="OUA">al-Jamil, T. (2009). Takbīr. In [https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195305135.001.0001/acref-9780195305135-e-0980 The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World]. : Oxford University Press. Retrieved 9 Sep. 2023.</ref><ref name="Encyclopedia.com 2023">{{cite web | title=Takbīr | website=Encyclopedia.com | date=22 Aug 2023 | url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/takbir | access-date=9 Sep 2023}}</ref><ref name="raleighmasjid.org">{{cite web|title=The Times of the Five Daily Prayers|url=https://raleighmasjid.org/times/|access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref>

It is a common Arabic expression, used in various contexts by [[Muslim]]s and Arabs around the world: in formal [[Salah]] (prayer),<ref name="raleighmasjid.org"/> in the [[Adhan]] (Islamic call to prayer),<ref name="Nigosian102">{{cite book |last=Nigosian |first=S. A. |title= Islam: Its History, Teaching, and Practices |url=https://archive.org/details/islamitshistoryt0000nigo |url-access=registration |year=2004 |publisher=[[Indiana University Press]] |location=[[Indiana]] |isbn= 0-253-21627-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/islamitshistoryt0000nigo/page/102 102]}}</ref> in [[Hajj]], as an informal expression of faith, in times of distress or joy, or to express resolute determination or defiance. The phrase is also used by [[Arab Christians]].<ref name="BI 2017">{{cite web | last=Team | first=Bridge Initiative | title=Allahu Akbar - Factsheet: Islam, Muslims, Islamophobia | website=Bridge Initiative | date=12 Sep 2017 | url=https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-allahu-akbar/ | access-date=2 Nov 2021}}</ref>

==Etymology==
[[File:Allahoakbar Vectorized.svg|thumb|The takbīr in [[Nastaliq|nastaʿlīq]]]]
The Arabic word {{lang|ar|كَبِير}} ({{transliteration|ar|DIN|kabīr}}) means ''big'' from the [[Semitic root]] ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|[[kāf|k]]-[[bāʼ|b]]-[[rāʼ|r]]}}''. The Arabic word {{lang|ar|أَكْبَر}} ({{transliteration|ar|DIN|[[:wikt:أَكْبَر|ʾakbar]]}}) is the [[Elative (gradation)|elative]] form (''biggest'') of the [[adjective]] ''kabīr''. When used in the {{transliteration|ar|DIN|Takbīr}} it is usually translated as ''biggest'', but some authors translate it as ''bigger''.<ref>E. W. Lane, ''[[Arabic English Lexicon]]'', 1893, gives for ''kabir'': "bigger, and biggest, in body, or corporeal substance, and in estimation or rank or dignity, and more, or most, advanced in age, older, and oldest" [https://archive.org/stream/ArabicEnglishLexicon.CopiousEasternSources.EnlargedSuppl.Kamoos.Lane.Poole.1863/07.ArabicEnglLex.v1p7.let.21.22.23.24.Qaf.Kaf.Lam.Mim..Lane-Poole.1885.#page/n113/mode/2up (p. 2587)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007201240/https://archive.org/stream/ArabicEnglishLexicon.CopiousEasternSources.EnlargedSuppl.Kamoos.Lane.Poole.1863/07.ArabicEnglLex.v1p7.let.21.22.23.24.Qaf.Kaf.Lam.Mim..Lane-Poole.1885.#page/n113/mode/2up |date=October 7, 2016 }}.</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=A Practical Arabic Grammar|page=66|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ex4UAAAAYAAJ&q=comparative&pg=PA69|year=1887|author=A.O.Green|publisher=Clarendon Press}}</ref><ref>"The formula, as the briefest expression of the absolute superiority of the One God, is used in Muslim life in different circumstances, in which the idea of God, His greatness and goodness is suggested." Wensinck, A. J. ''The [[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]'', 2nd edition. Brill, 2000. Volume 10, T-U, p. 119, Takbir.</ref> The term ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Takbīr}}'' itself is the stem II [[Arabic grammar|verbal noun]] of the root ''kbr'', meaning "big", from which ''akbar'' "bigger" is derived. The form ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Allāhu}}'' is a [[nominative]] of ''[[Allah]]'', meaning '[[God in Islam|God]]'.<ref name="EoQ">Böwering, Gerhard, ''God and His Attributes'', Encyclopaedia of the Qurʼān, Brill, 2007.</ref><ref>Macdonald, D. B. ''The [[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]'', 2nd edition. Brill, 1971. Volume 3, H-Iram, p. 1093, ''[[Ilah]]''.</ref>

The {{transliteration|ar|DIN|Takbīr}} is sometimes translated into English as "God is greater", which is short for "God is greater than all" ({{Lang|ar|الله أَكْبَرُ من كلِّ شيء}}); it is said like that in Arabic because the meaning does not need clarification. There are other examples where an incomplete sentence, used normally because of its clarity, is considered grammatically correct.<ref>{{Cite web |last=إسماعيل عتوك |first=محمد |date=December 2019 |title=لماذا لا نقول في الأذان : ( الله الأكبر ) مع أل التعريف، بدلاً من ( الله أكبر ) ؟ |url=https://quran-m.com/لماذا-لا-نقول-في-الأذان-الله-الأكبر-مع/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611031350/https://quran-m.com/لماذا-لا-نقول-في-الأذان-الله-الأكبر-مع/ |archive-date=2023-06-11}}</ref>

==Usage in Islamic rituals==
[[File:Takbir of prayer.jpg|thumb|A Muslim raises both of his hands to recite the Takbīr in prayer.]]
[[File:Sancaklar Camii Minaresi.jpg|thumb|Calligraphic Takbir in minaret of [[Sancaklar Mosque]].]]
This phrase is recited by [[Muslim]]s in many different situations. For example, when they are very happy, to express approval, to prevent a Muslim from becoming prideful by reminding them that God is their source of success, as a [[battle cry]], or during times of extreme stress.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} The phrase is not found in the Quran, which does not describe God as ''akbar'', but uses the name ''al-Kabīr'' "The Great" or ''Kabīr'' "Great", commonly translated as "Most Great" (13:9, 31:30, 22:62, 34:23, 40:12, 4:34).{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

===In prayer===
The phrase is said during each stage of both [[salah]] (obligatory prayers, performed five times a day), and [[Nafl prayer|nafl]] (supererogatory prayers, performed at will). The call to prayer by the ''[[muezzin]]'' to those outside the mosque (''[[adhan]]'') and the call to those inside to line up for the commencement of prayer (''[[iqama]]'') also contain the phrase.<ref name="Nigosian102"/>

While there are many short prayers like it, the takbir is used more frequently than any other.<ref>{{cite web|title=What I learned from Muslims about God|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/called-prayer|author=Patrick J. Ryan, S.J.|date=29 October 2015 |publisher=[[America (magazine)|America]]}}</ref>

=== Following births and deaths ===
The phrase is used after the birth of a child as a means of praising God.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jerrahi.org/library/articles/birth_school|title=On Birth & School|access-date=4 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827111517/http://www.jerrahi.org/library/articles/birth_school|archive-date=27 August 2013}}</ref> It is also part Islamic funeral and burial customs.<ref>{{cite book|last1=el-Hibri|first1=Tayeb|title=Parable and Politics in Early Islamic History: The Rashidun Caliphs|date=19 October 2010|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|isbn=9780231521659|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ouwL4dGrTN8C&pg=PA362}}</ref>

=== During the Eid Festival and the Hajj ===
During the festival of [[Eid al-Adha]] and the days preceding it, Muslims recite the Takbīr. This is particularly the case on the [[Day of Arafah]].<ref name="Faraz Rabbani">{{cite web|last=Rabbani|first=Faraz|title=The Day of 'Arafah: The 9th of Dhu'l Hijjah|url=http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=763&CATE=3|publisher=Qibla.com|access-date=4 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015192812/http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=763&CATE=3|archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref>

===During the halal slaughter of animals===
The process of pronouncing the name of God while performing [[Dhabihah]] one must say "Bismillah Allahu Akbar".<ref name ="USA">{{cite web|url=https://www.ushalalcertification.com/terminology.html|title=Arabic Definitions|publisher=USA Halal Chamber of Commerce, Inc.|access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref>

==Other social usage==
[[File:God is the Greatest-Arabic-Desouk.jpg|250px|thumbnail|''Allāhu akbar'' in a memorial, [[Desouk]], [[Egypt]]]]
[[File:Imam Ali Shrine - 1994.jpg|250px|thumbnail|"Allāhu akbar" in Arabic calligraphy seen on [[Imam Ali Mosque]] architecture (center of the Iwan), 1994]]
[[File:Roads_in_iran.jpg|250px|thumbnail|''A sign with Allahu Akbar written on the side of a road in [[Iran]]'']]
The expression "Allah Akbar" can be used in a variety of situations, from celebrations to times of grief.

In a historical account by someone who was present both at the birth of [[Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr]] and at his funeral, the author observes that "Allahu Akbar" was said on both occasions.<ref name=suleiman/>

=== In times of joy and gratitude ===
The takbir can be used to express joy or surprise. It is also used as applause in religious contexts, such as after a Quran recital, as other forms of applause are considered less appropriate.<ref name=venice>{{cite web|title=Allahu akbar: What is the Takbir?|url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/88011/allahu-akbar-what-is-the-takbir|publisher=[[The Week]]}}</ref>

When Reshma Begum was discovered alive 17 days after the [[2013 Savar building collapse]] in Bangladesh which killed 1129 people, crowds jubilantly cried "''Allāhu akbar''" to express their joy and gratitude that she had survived.<ref>{{cite web|last=Andrea|first=Crossan|title=Survivor Found in Collapsed Bangladesh Building After 17 Days|url=http://www.theworld.org/2013/05/bangladesh-survivor/|publisher=PRI's The World|access-date=4 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Survivor pulled from Bangladesh ruins after 17 days|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130513/survivor-pulled-bangladesh-ruins-after-17-days|work=Global Post|access-date=4 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928054402/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130513/survivor-pulled-bangladesh-ruins-after-17-days|archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

As a multi-purpose phrase, it is sometimes used by Arab [[association football|football]] commentators as an expression of amazement,{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} or even as a [[football chant]].<ref name=nyt/>

=== In battle ===
Historically, the takbir has been used as a cry of victory.<ref>Ludwig W. Adamec, Historical Dictionary of Islam, Scarecrow Press, 2nd ed. 2009, pg. 32</ref> Ibn Ishaq's Life of Mohammed narrates at least two incidents in which it was so used.

"When the apostle raided a people he waited until the morning. If he heard a call to prayer he held back; if he did not hear it he attacked. We came to Khaybar by night, and the apostle passed the night there; and when morning came he did not hear the call to prayer, so he rode and we rode with him, and I rode behind Abu Talha with my foot touching the apostle's foot. We met the workers of Khaybar coming out in the morning with their spades and baskets. When they saw the apostle and the army they cried, 'Muhammad with his force,' and turned tail and fled. The apostle said, 'Allah akbar! Khaybar is destroyed. When we arrive in a people's square it is a bad morning for those who have been warned.'" (page 511) "So he got off his horse and came at him and 'Ali advanced with his shield. 'Amr aimed a blow which cut deeply into the shield so that the sword stuck in it and struck his head. But 'Ali gave him a blow on the vein at the base of the neck and he fell to the ground. The dust rose and the apostle heard the cry, 'Allah Akbar' and knew that 'Ali had killed him." (page 456)<ref>Life of Mohammed [سيرة رسول الله] by Ibn Ishaq, translated by Alfred Guillaume, Oxford University Press, 1955, 17th printing, Karachi, 2004
https://archive.org/details/TheLifeOfMohammedGuillaume</ref>

===In protest===
During the [[Iranian Revolution]] of 1979, it was shouted from rooftops in Iran during the evenings as a form of protest. This practice returned in the [[2009 Iranian presidential election protests]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090614/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617072238/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090614/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election|url-status=dead|title=Yahoo News|archivedate=June 17, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WU-cxEEJ-E | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211110/9WU-cxEEJ-E| archive-date=2021-11-10 | url-status=live|title=YouTube |publisher=YouTube |date=June 9, 2009 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> which protested the election results.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8386335.stm|title=How Iran's opposition inverts old slogans |date=December 7, 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=December 21, 2009}}</ref>

=== Usage by extremists and terrorists===
The phrase has sometimes been used as a battle cry by [[Muslim extremism|Muslim extremists]].<ref name="Chap1">{{cite book |chapter='We Have Some Planes' |url=http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report_Ch1.htm |year=2004 |title=9/11 Commission Report |publisher=National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States |access-date=May 30, 2008}}</ref><ref name="DavidChazan2020">{{Cite news|last1=Chazan|first1=David|last2=Jalil|first2=Jannat|last3=Samuel|first3=Henry|date=16 October 2020|title=Teacher beheaded in Paris suburb after showing cartoons of Prophet Mohammed to class|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/16/man-dies-stabbed-paris-suburb-police-shoot-attacker/|work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> This usage has been denounced by other Muslims.<ref name=suleiman>{{cite news|title=What 'Allahu Akbar' really means|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/01/opinions/allahu-akbar-meaning/index.html|author=[[Omar Suleiman (imam)|Omar Suleiman]]|publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref><ref name="nyt">{{Cite news |last=Nagourney |first=Eric |date=2017-11-02 |title='Allahu Akbar': An Everyday Phrase, Tarnished by Attacks |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/world/americas/allahu-akbar-terrorism.html |access-date=2023-01-10 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Professor Khaled A. Beydoun, author of, ''The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims'',<ref>{{cite book | isbn=978-0520356306 | title=The New Crusades: Islamophobia and the Global War on Muslims | last1=Beydoun | first1=Khaled A. | date=21 March 2023 | publisher=Univ of California Press }}</ref> writes that the association of the phrase "Allah Akbar" with terrorism has been exacerbated by mass media and television pundits. He points out that fictional films and shows also utilize it as a [[cinematic trope]] further cementing the association.<ref name=beydoun>{{cite news|title=The perils of saying 'Allahu Akbar' in public|author=Khaled Beydoun|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/08/25/the-perils-of-saying-allahu-akbar-in-public/|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]}}</ref>

=== In politics ===
In India, [[Asaduddin Owaisi]], president of the [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen|AIMIM]] and [[Abu Taher Khan]], representing [[Trinamool Congress|TMC]], after being elected as [[Member of Parliament (India)|Members of the Indian Parliament]], ended their oath with the slogan of "Allahu Akbar".<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2019 |title='Jai Shri Ram', 'Allahu Akbar': Religious slogans mark swearing in ceremony of 17th LS |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/-jai-shri-ram-allahu-akbar-religious-slogans-mark-swearing-in-ceremony-of-17th-ls-789685 |website=Tribune India}}</ref>

=== Usage by Christians ===
The phrase is also used by Arabic-speaking Christians, "God" being translated "Allah" in Arabic. The phrase is used in liturgical contexts among [[Palestinian Christians]], and its use has been defended by [[Theodosios (Hanna)|Theodosios]], the Palestinian Orthodox [[Archbishop]] of [[Sebastia, Nablus|Sebastia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=We Palestinian Christians say Allahu Akbar|last=Tiessen|first=Terrance|website=Thoughts Theological|url=https://www.thoughtstheological.com/we-palestinian-christians-say-allahu-akbar/|access-date=2021-02-20|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Use on flags==
===Afghanistan===
The Afghan constitution that came into force on January 4, 2004, required that ''Allāhu akbar'' be inscribed on the Flag of the [[Islamic Republic of Afghanistan]].<ref>[ McCarthy, Andrew C., "Cold Comfort on Islam and Apostasy; No one who's actually read the Afghan constitution should be surprised by the Abdul Rahman case", ''[[National Review]]'', March 27, 2006, accessed February 11, 2010]</ref> After the [[Taliban takeover]], the [[Flag of Afghanistan|flag of the first emirate]] was readopted, and thus the takbir removed from the flag.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Taliban hoist giant flag in Afghan capital, eight months after return |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220331-taliban-hoist-giant-flag-in-afghan-capital-eight-months-after-return |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref>

===Iran===
The phrase ''Allāhu akbar'' is written on the [[flag of Iran]], as called for by Article 18 of the [[Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Iran|title=Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=koyJAAAAMAAJ|year=1980|publisher=Mizan Press|isbn=978-0-933782-02-0}}</ref> The phrase appears 22 times on the flag, written on the borders of the central white stripe.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2007/11/14/is_israel_a_jewish_state/ Jacoby, Jeff, "Is Israel a Jewish State?"], ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', November 14, 2007, accessed February 11, 2010 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808061732/http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2007/11/14/is_israel_a_jewish_state/ |date=August 8, 2014 }}</ref>

===Iraq===
The phrase ''Allāhu akbar'' is written on the center of the [[flag of Iraq]].

During the [[Gulf War]] in January 1991, [[Saddam Hussein]] held a meeting with top military commanders, where it was decided to add the words ''Allāhu akbar'' (described as the Islamic [[battle cry]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=37gTAAAAIBAJ&pg=5117,3700016&dq=flag+iraq+islamist+allahu-akbar&hl=en |title=New Straits Times |date=January 15, 1991 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> to Iraq's flag to boost his secular regime's religious credentials, casting himself as the leader of an Islamic army.<ref name="usat">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-04-26-iraq-flag_x.htm|title=U.S.-picked Iraq leaders approve new flag|date=April 26, 2004|work=USA Today|access-date=February 9, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Deroy Murdock |url=http://article.nationalreview.com/268429/the-911-connection/deroy-murdock |title=Murdock, Deroy, "The 9/11 Connection," April 3, 2003 |work=The National Review |access-date=May 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617021913/http://article.nationalreview.com/268429/the-911-connection/deroy-murdock |archive-date=June 17, 2010 }}</ref> Hussein described the flag as "the banner of jihad and monotheism".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0OkasRnU4K0C&q=flag+%22allahu+akbar%22&pg=PA138 |title=''Saddam's war of words: politics, religion, and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait'', Jerry Mark Long, University of Texas Press, 2004, ISBN 0-292-70264-7 |access-date=February 19, 2014|isbn=9780292702646 |last1=Long |first1=Jerry M. |date=April 2004 |publisher=University of Texas Press }}</ref>

In 2004, the US-picked [[Iraqi Governing Council]] approved a new flag for Iraq that abandoned symbols of Hussein's regime, such as the words ''Allāhu akbar''.<ref name="usat"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FE26Ak05.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040528171025/http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FE26Ak05.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=May 28, 2004 |title=Rosen, Nir, "Iraq's religious tide cannot be turned back,"|work=Asia Times |date=May 26, 2004 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> In January 2008, however, Iraq's [[Council of Representatives of Iraq|parliament]] passed a law to change the flag by leaving in the phrase, but changing the [[calligraphy]] of the words ''Allāhu akbar'', which had been a copy of Hussein's handwriting, to a [[Kufic]] script.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jan22/0,4670,IraqFlagDispute,00.html Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, "Iraqi Lawmakers Vote to Change Flag,"] ''[[USA Today]]'', January 22, 2008, accessed February 9, 2010 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305202752/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jan22/0%2C4670%2CIraqFlagDispute%2C00.html |date=March 5, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Abdul |first=Qassim |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2008-02-05-1386576333_x.htm |title=Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, "Iraq unveils flag without Saddam's stars" |work=USA Today|date=February 5, 2008 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> The Iraqi flag under Hussein had each of the two words of the phrase written in one of the spaces between the stars on the central band; the 2008 flag, while leaving the phrase in, removes the stars.

===Other uses===
A resistance movement that fought British rule in [[Waziristan]], [[Pakistan]], used a red flag bearing ''Allāhu akbar'' in white letters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-9628676.html |title=Analysis: A ride on the wild side |publisher=UPI |date=September 19, 2005 |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref>

[[Slogan of the Houthi movement|The flag used by the Houthis]] in Yemen also includes bearing ''Allāhu akbar'' in green letters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riedel |first=Bruce |date=2017-12-18 |title=Who are the Houthis, and why are we at war with them? |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2017/12/18/who-are-the-houthis-and-why-are-we-at-war-with-them/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Brookings |language=en-US}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Flag of Iraq.svg|[[Flag of Iraq]], with stylized Kufic script, introduced in 2008
File:Flag of Iran.svg|[[Flag of Iran]], introduced in 1980
File:Flag of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg|Former [[flag of Afghanistan]], with the phrase beneath the [[Shahada]], used from 2004 to 2021
File:Flag of Waziristan resistance (1930s).svg|Flag of 1930s [[Waziristan|Waziristan (Pakistan)]] resistance movement
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Dhikr]]
*[[Tasbih]]
*[[Alhamdulillah|Tahmid]]
*[[Tahlil]]
*[[Basmala|Tasmiyah]]
*[[Salawat]]
*[[Shahada]]
*[[Hallelujah]]
*[[Hallel]]
*[[Alláh-u-Abhá]]
*[[Deo optimo maximo]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Books===
* {{cite book|year=1995|author= Rohi Baalbaki|title=Al-Mawrid|edition=7th |location=Beirut |publisher=Dar El-Ilm Lilmalayin|isbn=9953-9023-1-3}}
* {{cite book|year=1870|author=[[F. Steingass]] Ph.D., University of Munich|title=Persian-English Dictionary, Including the Arabic words and phrases to be met with in literature |location=Beirut |publisher=Librairie Du Liban}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110917001300/http://www.slate.com/id/2149455/ Essay on the ''takbir''] at ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''

{{Islamic prayer}}
{{Characters and names in the Quran}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Islamic terminology]]
[[Category:Superlatives in religion]]
[[Category:Religious formulas]]

Takbir - Revision history

Maansi26: basic fix article based on references and updated info

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article