Revive a Sunnah

In the name of Allah

Revive a Sunnah: Takbeer of Dhu'l-Hijjah

'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

"There are no days greater with Allah and more beloved to perform (good) deeds therein, than on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah), and Takbeer (saying Allaahu akbar) and Tahmeed (saying al-hamdu Lillaah)." [Musnad Ahmad, 7/224]

It is from the recommended Sunnah to become habitual in reciting the takbeer at any time during the first ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah (and all the days of Tashreeq), beginning from the onset of the month of Dhu'l-Hijjah, until the end of the days of al-Tashreeq, when the sun has set on the thirteenth day of Dhul-Hijjah.

Revive this Sunnah by making your takbeer audible during all of the first ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah. To show magnificence towards it, in your masajid, homes, roads, markets etc. and not to limit any good deeds on these days, but rather work towards increased wholesome goodness. Ibn 'Umar and Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhuma) used to go out to the market-place on first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people used to recite Takbeer because of their Takbeer. 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab and his son (radi Allahu anhuma) used to recite Takbeer during the days of Mina in the masjid and in the camps, and they would raise their voices until Mina echoed with their Takbeer. It was narrated that the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and a group of the Sahabah used to recite Takbeer following each of the five prayers from Fajr on the day of 'Arafah until 'Asr on the thirteenth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah. For those who were not on Hajj...

Men should recite out loud and women should recite quietly. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade), and mention the Name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)”

[al-Hajj 22:28] 

The takbeer is as follows:

Allaah akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god but Allaah; Allaah is Most Great and to Allaah be praise). 

And there are other versions. 

This takbeer has become a forsaken Sunnah nowadays, especially at the beginning of these ten days. You can hardly hear it except from a few.  

Reviving Sunnahs that have been forgotten brings a great deal of reward, as is indicated by the words of the Prophet (sallaAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam): “Whoever revives one of my Sunnahs that has died out after I am gone, will have a reward like that of everyone who does it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this hadeeth is hasan because of corroborating reports.