Page:Thomas Patrick Hughes - Notes on Muhammadanism - 2ed. (1877).djvu/275

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254
ZIKR.

already give:—Azalí, the Eternal; Abadí, the Everlasting; Maula, the Lord; Ahad, the only One; Munʾem, the Giver of Blessing; Sádig, the Righteous One; Sattár, the Concealer of Sins; Rabb, the Lord.

In the recital of these words the prefix and inflexion are used thus, Ar-Rahímo! Al-Máliko! As-Samiʾo! etc. Many of the titles will appear to the English reader to be synonymous, but Muslim theologians discover in them shades of difference. It will be observed that the titles are not arranged in philosophical order.

In addition to the forms of zikr already mentioned there are four others which are even of more common use, and are known as Tasbíh, Tahmíd, Tahlíl, and Takbír. They are used as exclamations of joy and surprise, as well as for the devotional exercise of zikr.

Tasbíh is the expression Subhán-Allah! "Holiness be to God!"

Tahmíd. Alhamdo-Lilla! "Praise be to God!"

Tahlíl. Lá-il-la-ha-il-lal-lá-ho! "There is no deity but God!"

Takbír. Allaho-Akbar! "God is great!"