First Ten Days of Zul Hijjah – Part 3
3. Dhikr and Takbeer
Allah Ta’aala says: “That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)…” [al-Hajj 22:28]
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “There are no days on which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allah), Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (saying Alhamdu Lillaah).” (Ahmad)
It is Sunnah to say Takbeer (“Allahu akbar”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”), Tahleel (“La ilaha ill-Allah”) and Tasbeeh (“Subhaan Allah”) during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The idea behind reminding the people to recite Takbeer is that each one should recite it individually, not in unison, as there is no basis in Sharee’ah for doing this.
Imam Bukhari Rahmatullahi Alayhi said: “Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, Radiallahu Anhum, used to go out to the markets in the ten days saying the takbeer causing the people to follow them in this action.”
He also said: “‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab Radiallahu Anhu used to say the takbeer on his mimbar in Mina, whereupon the people of the Masjid hearing ‘Umar Radiallahu Anhu, would start to say the takbeer as would the people in the markets until the whole of Mina was locked in glorifying Allah.”
Ibn ‘Umar Radiallahu Anhu used to say the takbeer in Mina during these ten days and after prayers, whilst on his bed, in his tent, in his gathering and whilst walking. What is recommended is to say the takbeer aloud due to the fact that ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab, his son and Abu Hurayrah Radiallahu Anhum used to do likewise.
The Takbeer may include the words “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaaha ill-Allah; wa Allahu akbar wa Lillaahil- hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise),” as well as other phrases.
There are a number of ways of making takbeer that have been narrated by the companions and their followers and from these ways is the following:
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar kabirun.
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallahu, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd.
Allahu akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallahu, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar wa lillahil hamd.
Takbeer-ut-Tashreeq after every Fard Salaah
As from the Fajr of the 9th Zul Hijjah upto Asr prayer of the 13th, it is obligatory on each Muslim to recite the Takbeer of Tashreeq in the following words:
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallahu, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd.
Allah is great. Allah is great. There is no god but Allah and Allah is great. Allah is great and to Allah belongs all praise.
According to authentic Islamic sources, it is obligatory on each Muslim to recite this Takbeer after every obligatory (Fard) salaah. For women also it is commendable, not obligatory. Whether you are performing salaah with Jama’ah (collectively) or on your own (individually) makes no difference, it must be recited. Male Muslims should recite it in a loud voice, while females should recite it in a low voice.
