Question:
I live in the UK and will not be performing Hajj. What is the ruling on saying the Takbeerat (phrases glorifying Allah) during the days of Dhul-Hijjah? When should they be recited, and what is the evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah?
Kashif Saleem
Answer:
Praise be to Allah ﷻ, and may peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad ﷺ.
Saying Takbeer during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and the Days of Tashreeq (11th to 13th Dhul-Hijjah) is a confirmed Sunnah for every Muslim, whether performing Hajj or not. Reciting takbeer falls into two categories.
- Unrestricted Takbeer (Takbeer al-Mutlaq)
This is to be said anytime, anywhere, during the day or night, from the 1st of Dhul-Hijjah until the sunset of the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
Evidence from the Qur’an:
“To take part in rites that benefit them and to invoke the name of Allah on appointed days.”
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22:28) Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) explained that ‘the appointed days’ in this verse are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
“And Continue remembering Allah during the specified days,.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:203)
Scholars of tafsir have mentioned that the ‘specified days’ refer to the Days of Tashreeq (11th–13th Dhul-Hijjah).
Evidence from the Sunnah:
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” [Bukhari, 969] It was reported that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them) used to go into the market during these days and say Takbeer, and people would follow their example.
- Restricted Takbeer (Takbeer al-Muqayyad)
This is said after each of the five daily prayers (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha), starting from Fajr on the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul-Hijjah) until Asr on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. This practice is confirmed by the actions of the Companions and accepted by scholars across the Islamic schools of thought.
Wording of Takbeer:
There is no single fixed wording from the Prophet ﷺ, but the following are most used and have been narrated from the Companions:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ،
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Lā ilāha illa Allāh,
Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, wa lillāhil-ḥamd
Meaning: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.
Another common version adds a third “Allahu Akbar” at the start.
| Type of Takbeer | When to Recite | After Prayer? | Out Loud? (Men/Women) |
| Unrestricted | Anytime from 1st to 13th Dhul-Hijjah | No | Yes (men), (women) |
| Restricted | After every fard prayer, from Fajr 9th to Asr 13th | Yes | Yes (men), (women) |
Revive this Sunnah in your home, with your family and children. Make the Takbeer part of your daily routine during these sacred days. Alongside reciting the Takbeer, increase other acts of worship such as fasting, prayer, charity, and du‘a.
May Allah accept your remembrance and worship during these blessed days.
And Allah ﷻ knows best.
This fatwa is written by Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Munir Al-Azhari