494. Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah – narrating from Salām ibn Suwayd from Imām Ali (a.s.) concerning the phrase: “God is the greatest (Allah Akbar)!: “This is an expression for victory.”
[Salām says:] “Allahu Akbar was Ali’s (a.s.) slogan that he uttered in battles and then launched his attacks. By God, he would lead whoever chased him and those who fought against him to the docks (sources) of death.”1
495. Waq`at Siffin – narrating from Tamim: “Whenever he set out on a battle, Ali (a.s.) would utter the name of God when mounting. Then he would say, “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar! Lā ilāha illa Allah wa Allah Akbar! O God! O Ahad! O Samad! O Lord of Muhammad! In the Name of God the Compassionate the Merciful! There is no power and no strength save in God, the All-Exalted, the All-Supreme. “All praise belongs to God, Lord of all the worlds, the Compassionate the Merciful, Master of the Day of Retribution. You [alone] do we worship, and to You [alone] do we turn for help.” O God! Keep away from us the harm of the oppressors!” This was Ali’s (a.s.) slogan in the battle of Siffin.”2
1.. Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۵, p. ۱۷۷, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۲, p. ۴۶۱, h. ۴۰۰ vol. ۱۰۰, p. ۳۷, h. ۳۵.
2.. Waq`at Siffin, p. ۲۳۰, Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۵, p. ۱۷۶.