Formulas of Takbir

The scholars have different views on the formulas of Takbir.

1- The first view is that it is:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahi’l-hamd

(Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and to Allah be praise).

2- The second view is that it is:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahi’l-hamd

(Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and to Allah be praise).

3- The third view is that it is:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahi’l-hamd

(Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and to Allah be praise).

The matter is broad in scope because there is no text narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) which specifies a particular form of Takbir.

---

Timings

The takbir is divided into two categories:

1 – Unrestricted Takbir. This is the takbir that is not limited to a specific time, and it is Sunnah to say it all the time, morning and evening, before prayer and after prayer, at all times.

2 – Restricted Takbir. This is the takbir that is limited to the time immediately after prayer.

It is Sunnah to recite unrestricted takbir at any time during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and all the days of Tashriq, starting from the beginning of the month of Dhul-Hijjah (i.e., from sunset on the last day of Dhul-Qi’dah) until the end of the days of Al-Tashriq, which is when the sun sets on the thirteenth day of Dhul-Hijjah).

With regard to restricted takbir, it starts from Fajr on the day of ‘Arafah and lasts until the sun sets on the last day of the days of Tashriq, in addition to the takbir that may be recited at any time. So when a person says the taslim at the end of the obligatory prayer, he should pray for forgiveness (by saying Astaghfir-Allah) three times, and say, “Allahumma anta al-salam wa minka al-salam, tabarakta ya dha’l-jalali wa’l-ikram (“O Allah, You are al-Salam [the One Who is free from all defects and deficiencies), and from You is all peace, blessed are You, O possessor of majesty and honour”), then start the takbir.

This is for those who are not on Hajj. The pilgrims should start the takbir after prayer from Zhuhr on the Day of Sacrifice (the 10^th of Dhul-Hijjah).

Majmu’ Fatawa Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him), 13/17; 

Al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him), 5/220-224.