ISLAMIC MYSTICAL LITERATURE 689we'd testify he gave us paradise
and beauty's forms would be with us forever.'
"Then the high king turned to them, saying, "I am
Allahu akbar, I am Allahu akbar"
The spirits were amazed, not knowing whether
the high king spoke for himself or someone else.
When some time passed, the high king said again,
"I am Allahu akbar, I am Allahu akbar"
which means, 'I am your great god and creator.'^84THE RANKS AFFIRM GOD AND HIS MESSENGER
AND REGENTS
"Soon Salman understood. Turning to the king,
he said, 'I testify that there's no god but god,
you are our god, and none but you exists.'
No other spirit understood when he said,
'I testify there is no god but god.'^85
"Miqdad caught on and said, 'I testify
Muhammad is the messenger of god,
and you are god. The one who glorifies,
preparing us and singing praise, is Salman.
He is your prophet and has gone ahead
and is the one who's made us know your name.'
"No other spirit testified but Salman:
'Muhammad is the messenger of god.'^86
"Abu Zarr got it, and standing up, he turned
to his right and left, saying, 'Let us pray.
Come quickly, you spiritual beings and brothers,
and witness your creator and his regent.As the text indicates, Allahu akbar is Arabic for "great god" or "god is great."
The profession of monotheism is the first part of the shahada, or Islamic creed.
The second part of the shahada. [