Is it obligatory to recite the Takbir Tashriq after prayer?

Allah the Almighty says in the Qur'an:

"Remember Allah during the appointed days (by reciting takbir and tahlil after the obligatory prayers)" [1] , as He commanded.

Our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

"There are no good deeds more beloved and virtuous to Allah than those done in these ten days. So increase your recitation of tasbih (subhanallah), tahmid (alhamdulillah), tahlil (la ilaha illallah), and takbir (allahu akbar) during them," [2] he said.

Scholars have unanimously agreed (ijma') on the obligation of reciting the Takbir Tashriq.

According to Islamic law, it is wajib (obligatory) to recite the Takbir Tashriq once after each obligatory prayer during the days of Tashriq. This applies to those praying in congregation behind the imam as well. Women should not raise their voices when reciting the takbir. It is permissible to recite the takbir more than once. However, the Takbir Tashriq is not recited when making up missed prayers from previous days, nor when making up missed prayers from the days of Tashriq at a later time.

The days of Tashriq are five: the day of Arafah, the three days of Eid, and the day after. In total, the Takbir is recited after 23 prayers during the days of Tashriq.

The words of the Takbir Tashriq are: Аллаһу акбар, Аллаһу акбар! Лә илааһа иллаллаһу, уаллаһу акбар! Аллаһу акбар, уә лиллаһил хамд!

The story behind the Takbir Tashriq is as follows: "When Prophet Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son Ismail and drew the knife to his throat, the knife did not cut. Then Allah commanded the angel Jibril to bring a ram as a ransom. Fearing that Ibrahim would sacrifice his son, Jibril said, 'Аллаһу акбар, Аллаһу акбар.' Hearing this, Ibrahim replied, 'Лә илааһа иллаллаһу, уаллаһу акбар.' When Ismail realized he was spared and a ram was sacrificed in his place, he said, 'Аллаһу акбар, уә лиллаһил хамд.'" [3]

Hasan AMANKUL,

Deputy Head, Department of Sharia and Fatwa

[1] Surah al-Baqarah, verse 203.

[2] Reported by Ahmad and Tabarani.

[3] Hashiyat Ibn Abidin, 5/143.