Page 6 - Pakistan Link - November 10, 2017

P6 – PAKISTAN LINK – NOVEMBER 10, 2017 OPINION
n By Imam Omar Suleiman What ‘Allahu Akbar’ Really Means
Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research vent them from having children. When Abdullah
was born, his grandfather Abu Bakr carried him
’ll never forget the day a US army veteran through the streets as the crowd happily chanted
who had fought in Iraq embraced Islam at “Allahu Akbar.”
Imy former mosque in New Orleans. He ar- When Abdullah was murdered by another
rived in his full uniform, and was overcome group of Muslims as he stood for justice in Mec-
with emotion when he heard the ca, his murderers also chanted “Allahu Akbar.”
congregation shout “Allahu Ak- As one witness said, “I was there the day
bar” after he uttered the Islamic Abdullah was born, and I am here the day he
declaration of faith. has died, and I heard those who said Allahu Ak-
The army veteran never bar the day he was born and I heard those who
thought that the words that had have said Allahu Akbar the day he has died, and
terrified him in Iraq would I swear by Allah those who said Allahu Akbar
be the very same that would welcome him to his the day when he was born were far greater than
new faith. They are words that he now uses in those who have said Allahu Akbar today!”
prayer. While those who killed Abdullah used the
Contrary to what many people seem to same words as those who celebrated his birth,
think, the words “Allahu Akbar” simply mean only one group truly honored the greatness of
“God is greater.” It is a powerful declaration used God. They are the ones who get to own the term:
by Muslims on many occasions and in many those who live in a way that celebrates the great-
prayers. It is a celebration of life, the first words ness of God by obeying his commands and serv-
fathers whisper in the ears of their newborns. ing his creation, not those who flout those com-
They are used to indicate gratitude when God be- mands and attack his creation unjustly.
stows something upon you that you would have We mustn’t allow terrorists or agendas of
been incapable of attaining were it not for divine to raise concerns even about Islam itself. But a Though these words that are used to cel- fear to own any of the words, concepts, or devo-
benevolence. It is a prayerful phrase that reminds lone terrorist who shouts “Allahu Akbar” while ebrate life also sometimes accompany horrific tions found in the sacred text of a quarter of the
us that, no matter what our concerns may be, murdering innocent people in the streets of New acts, this is not a new phenomenon. world’s population. That would give them exactly
God is greater than them. York does not get to own that term. Nor do those Of the greatest ironies noted by the compan- what they want. And God is far greater than the
Worshipers at a mosque in Quebec report- who declare that no further details are needed to ions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon ugliness committed in His name. “Allahu Ak-
edly heard the phrase “Allahu Akhbar,” the very determine motive once a man with a Muslim- him), was the birth and death of Abdullah Ibn Az bar...” (Imam Omar Suleiman is the founder and
phrase they recite in morning prayers, uttered by president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Re-
their white supremacist attacker just before he Contrary to what many people seem to think, the words “Allahu Akbar” simply mean search and an adjunct professor of Islamic Stud-
opened fire and killed six Muslims this January. “God is greater.” It is a powerful declaration used by Muslims on many occasions ies at Southern Methodist University. CNN)
And Muslims at a mosque in Minnesota were and in many prayers. It is a celebration of life, the first words fathers whisper in RESOLUTIONS FROM P4
reciting “Allahu Akbar” during their morning the ears of their newborns. They are used to indicate gratitude when God bestows It’s clear from the details described above of
prayers when their mosque was firebombed this what transpired after UNSC Resolution 80 that
August. something upon you that you would have been incapable of attaining were it not for “India began to harden its position on the UN-
Is “Allahu Akbar” sometimes used as a battle divine benevolence. It is a prayerful phrase that reminds us that, no matter what our supervised plebiscite which it had committed to
cry? Yes, though as Sen John McCain has argued concerns may be, God is greater than them following the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from
on Fox News, that does not make the phrase itself the Pakistani side of the CFL (Ceasefire Line)”.
abhorrent. While noting that “moderate Mus- sounding name perpetrates an attack using those Zubayr. India’s brutal military occupation of Kashmir
lims” also say “Allahu Akbar,” McCain said the words. Abdullah Ibn Az Zubayr was the first child today is not only illegal but also immoral. It vio-
phrase is no more troubling that a Christian say- As Hassan Shibly, executive director of born in the Muslim community after they had lates multiple UNSC resolutions on Kashmir and
ing “Thank God.” CAIR-Florida, said in response to the recent ter- migrated to Medina from Mecca to escape per- makes a mockery of the pledge made by one of
But the way “Allahu Akbar” often appears in ror attack in New York, “That is the biggest act of secution. India’s founding fathers and first Prime Minister
the media seems to serve a nefarious agenda: to heresy to shout God’s glorious name when com- Some residents of Medina told Muslims that Jawaharlal Nehru to the people of Kashmir and to
instill fear of anyone who utters the phrase and mitting the worst crime against God.” they had placed a spell on them that would pre- the world.

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