The takbir of Dhul Hijjah

The words

No single wording comes from the Prophet ﷺ himself. The wordings below come from his Companions, and any of them is correct.

The wording of Ibn Masʿud

Reported by Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf with an authentic chain. Some say Allāhu akbar three times at the start; both are reported.

The wording of Salman al-Farisi

Reported by ʿAbd ar-Razzaq with an authentic chain. Ibn Hajar called it the most authentic wording reported from the Companions.

Two kinds of takbir

General takbir (muṭlaq)

Said at any time of day or night, anywhere: at home, in the market, on the road. It runs from the start of Dhul Hijjah to the end of the 13th.

Fixed takbir (muqayyad)

Said after each of the five obligatory prayers. For those not on Hajj, it runs from Fajr on the Day of Arafah until ʿAsr on the 13th. For pilgrims, it begins at Dhuhr on the Day of Sacrifice.

Ibn Hajar wrote in Fath al-Bari that no hadith of the Prophet ﷺ about the timing is authentic, and that the most authentic reports from the Companions are those of ʿAli and Ibn Masʿud: from Fajr on the Day of Arafah to the last of the days of Mina. That is the view of most scholars, and it is the one we follow on this site.

When to say it

1. From sunset, start of Dhul HijjahGeneral takbir begins, at any time.
2. Fajr, Day of ArafahFixed takbir after the obligatory prayers begins, alongside the general takbir.
3. Day of Sacrifice, the 10thSay it on the way to the Eid prayer and until the imam starts. Pilgrims begin the fixed takbir at Dhuhr.
4. Days of Tashriq, 11th to 13thBoth kinds continue. Al-Bukhari reports that Ibn ʿUmar said the takbir in his tent at Mina, at gatherings and on the road in these days.
5. ʿAsr on the 13thThe fixed takbir ends after this prayer, and the general takbir ends at sunset.

How to say it

• Men say it aloud. Women say it quietly when men who are not their relatives can hear.
• Each person says it themselves. Saying it all together in one voice, led by one person, is something scholars differ on. Many advise against making it a fixed group chant, while others allow it, especially to teach people. Avoid arguing about it in the mosque.
• After the prayer, many scholars say to begin the takbir after seeking forgiveness three times and saying Allāhumma antas-salām…, then continue with the usual adhkar.
• If you missed a prayer and made it up within the days of takbir, say the takbir after it.

Why the takbir?

Ibn ʿAbbas explained the “known days” as the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah and the “counted days” as the days of Tashriq. Al-Bukhari reports that Ibn ʿUmar and Abu Hurayrah would go out to the market in the ten days saying the takbir, and people would say it with them (in the chapter before Sahih al-Bukhari 969).

Last reviewed Wednesday, 4 November 2026. How we check sources.