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], He commanded.

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

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved and pleasing to Allah than these ten days. So increase in saying tasbih (subhanallah), tahmid (alhamdulillah), tahlil (la ilaha illallah), and takbir (Allahu akbar)," [2] he said.

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

According to Sharia, it is wajib (obligatory) to recite the Takbir Tashriq once after every obligatory prayer during the days of Tashriq. Those praying in congregation behind the imam also recite the takbir. Women should not raise their voices when reciting the takbir. It is permissible to recite the takbir more than once. However, when making up missed prayers from previous days or making up prayers missed during the days of Tashriq at a later time, the Takbir Tashriq is not recited.

The days for reciting Takbir Tashriq are five: the day of Arafah, the three days of Eid al-Adha, and the day after. This year, these correspond to June 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Thus, the Takbir is recited after the two rak'ahs of Fajr prayer on June 5, starting after the salam, and continues until Asr prayer on June 9. In total, the Takbir Tashriq is recited after each of the 23 obligatory prayers during this period.

The words of the Takbir Tashriq are: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ! لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ! اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ!

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 might actually sacrifice his son, Jibril said, 'اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ' (Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar). Hearing this, Ibrahim replied, 'لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ' (La ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar). Realizing that a sacrifice had been provided in his place, Ismail said, 'اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ' (Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd) in gratitude" [3].

Hasan AMANKUL
Head of Religious Education and Personnel Training Department, SAMK