Symbols Of The Ten DaysTakbir in the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
Takbir is one of the greatest symbols of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. It is a declaration of Allah's greatness and oneness, and a reminder to the heart that Allah is greater than everything. The early Muslims were keen to make takbir apparent during these blessed days.
EvidenceEvidence for the Legislation of Takbir
"...and mention the name of Allah during known days over what He has provided for them of grazing livestock..." [Al-Hajj: 28]
{لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ، وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الأَنْعَامِ، فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا البَائِسَ الفَقِيرَ} [الحج: 28].
"And remember Allah during numbered days..." [Al-Baqarah: 203]
{وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْدُودَاتٍ، فَمَنْ تَعَجَّلَ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَنْ تَأَخَّرَ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ، لِمَنِ اتَّقَى، وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ} [البقرة: 203].
The known days are the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah according to a number of scholars, and the numbered days are the Days of Tashriq.
Type 1General Takbir
General takbir is takbir that is not restricted to a specific time. A Muslim says takbir at any time: at home, on the road, at work, in the marketplace, before and after prayer, and in every place suitable for the remembrance of Allah.
General takbir begins when the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah enter and continues until the end of the Days of Tashriq.
Type 2Restricted Takbir
Restricted takbir is the takbir said after the obligatory prayers during specific days.
Scholars mentioned that restricted takbir for the non-pilgrim begins from Fajr on the Day of Arafah until Asr of the last day of Tashriq. As for the pilgrim, many jurists mention that it begins from Dhuhr on the Day of Nahr, and the issue has known details.
The point is to preserve this symbol and not allow disagreement over some details to become a reason for abandoning takbir.
Common FormsForms of Takbir
No single required wording for takbir in the ten days is authentically established from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. However, forms are reported from the companions and early Muslims, and the matter is broad.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is for Allah.
الله أكبر، الله أكبر، لا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر، الله أكبر، ولله الحمد.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is for Allah.
الله أكبر، الله أكبر، الله أكبر، لا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر، الله أكبر، ولله الحمد.
Allah is truly the Greatest, praise be to Allah abundantly, and glory be to Allah morning and evening.
الله أكبر كبيرا، والحمد لله كثيرا، وسبحان الله بكرة وأصيلا.
One should not object to reported or well-known forms as long as their meaning is correct and free from religious error.
Reviving The SymbolMaking Takbir Apparent
Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنهما used to go out to the marketplace during the ten days saying takbir, and the people would say takbir because of their takbir.
Narrated by Al-Bukhari in mu'allaq form.
This shows the permissibility of making takbir apparent and reviving this symbol among people, without disturbance, exaggeration, or harming others.
NoteShould Takbir Be Done in One Group Voice?
The basic principle is that each Muslim remembers Allah and says takbir himself. As for people agreeing upon one voice and one permanent form as if it is a fixed Sunnah, many scholars objected to this.
Better is that people increase in takbir, hearing one another, without committing to an invented group format.
At HomeHow Can We Revive Takbir at Home?
- Raise the voice with takbir in a suitable way.
- Teach children the wording of takbir.
- Remind the family of the virtue of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
- Say takbir after prayers during the time of restricted takbir.
- Keep takbir present on the road and at work without harming others.
FAQWhen does takbir begin in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah?
General takbir begins when the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah enter and continues until the end of the Days of Tashriq.
FAQWhen does restricted takbir after prayer begin?
For the non-pilgrim, it begins from Fajr on the Day of Arafah until Asr of the last day of Tashriq according to many scholars. For the pilgrim, a well-known view is that it begins from Dhuhr on the Day of Nahr.
FAQIs there one obligatory wording for takbir?
No. There is no single obligatory wording. The matter is broad regarding correct reported and well-known forms.
FAQCan takbir be said on the road and in the marketplace?
Yes. Takbir is prescribed in every place suitable for the remembrance of Allah, while observing proper manners and not harming people.
ConclusionConclusion
Takbir in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is a great symbol of Islam. Through it, a Muslim declares Allah's greatness and oneness. A Muslim should be keen to revive it in himself and in his home, and keep his tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah during these blessed days.
