Allah Akbar does not mean “god is great”
It means “My god, “Allah” is greater than your god”
Completely different meaning and they know it.
You’re right.
In my experience, when I hear “Allah Akbar” or “snackbar”, someone is dead or dying. “Heil Hitler” and “Banzai” are pretty much out of our vernacular because it’s associated to the death cults of Nazism and Imperial Japanese.How far we have fallen since 9/11. The media and our “educational system” is pathetic.
Allah Akbar does not mean “god is great”
It means “My god, “Allah” is greater than your god”
Completely different meaning and they know it.
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It’s possible that you could translate it your way. I think the best way to translate it into English is “God is the Greatest Thing!” The implication is that no other entity rivals the majesty of God. Your typical Muslim would not even admit that other gods truly exist. Much like Christians will not admit to the reality of any other god rather than the Trinitarian God (Father/Son/Holy Spirit).
“Allahu Akbar!” was certainly a battle cry during the Crusades. I’m not sure how far the exclamation dates back. I believe it was also the last words of the 9-11 hijackers who slammed into the World Trade Center buildings.