The Spiritual Power of Takbeer
Meaning of Takbeer
Takbeer is to chant the phrase “Allahu Akbar (الله أكبر)”.
Takbeer is declaring Allah’s Absolute Greatness
The word Takbeer is derived the Arabic root K-B-R which means to be big and great, or to magnify. It is related to the beautiful name of Allah name “Al-Kabir” , commonly translated as “The Most Great“
“Allahu Akbar” is meant to magnify Allah by declaring His Absolute Greatness, or He is the Greatest of all, or He is Greater than all beings. Takbeer indicates Allah’s Absolute Perfection in His essence, existence, attributes, sayings, actions, and decrees. There is nothing comparable to Him.
“Allahu Akbar (الله أكبر)” is usually translated as “God is the Greatest“, “God is the Most Great“.
The Takbeer phrase literally means “Allah is greater“. But it is translated as “Allah is the greatest“, because according to the rules of Arabic style of eloquence, if one does not say greater than a specific thing, then it implies that “Allah is Greater than everything“, which means: “Allah is the Greatest”.
According to Dr. Jeffrey Lang, an American Muslim professor, the message is: Allah is greater (than anything you can name or you think of). That is why the translation goes: “Allah is the Greatest“. When we say Allahu Akbar, we are implying the whole phrase, “Allah is greater than everything”; “than everything” is omitted from the sentence for eloquence purposes.
Power of Takbeer
Takbeer means declaring Allah’s Greatness, Exalting and Magnifying Him. Chanting Takbeer sincerely, focusing on its meaning is a healing power for our souls. Believing deeply that Allah is the greatest has a positive spiritual effect on us.
Takbeer is a Powerful Message to Muslims to admit Allah’s Greatness and submit to His Infinite Power over all beings.
Takbeer promotes us to rely on Allah alone; Seek help from Him alone for He is the Greatest of all;
Takbeer is an antidote for powerlessness, despair, and anxiety. Believing firmly that we are taken care of by Allah, the most Great, gives us the strength, confidence comfort, and courage we need to go through this life safely.
Takbeer gives us hope at difficult times. It teaches us that Allah is Greater than our weakness, problems, and worries; He is Greater than all the obstacles we face; all of our oppressors and abusers.
Since Takbeer encourages humility, modesty, and submission, it helps in healing character flaws such as arrogance, selfishness, boasting, haughtiness, and self pride,
Ruling of Takbeer
Chanting Takbeer is one of the greatest Sunnah practices. It was a well rooted practice among the early Muslims. The Sahabah and early generations were keen to make Takbeer loudly everywhere at the Days of Eids. They used to enjoin one another to make Takbeer.
When One should say Takbeer
Takbeer becomes a slogan of Islam and an important part of Islamic practices.
1) In Islamic tradition, Takbeer is basically said publicly during every call to prayer, everywhere in the world.
2) It is also said in every prayer when changing from a position to another.
3) Takbeer is so much used outside the prayer to express amazement at God’s creation and wisdom.
4) Takbeer is said at war time when meeting the enemy to draw strength from it.
5) Takbeer at the Eid days (Eidul Fitr & Eidul Al-Adha), the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and the three days of Tashreeq after Dhul-Hijjah.
Time of Takbeer at Eid
1) The time for Takbeer on Eidul-Fitr starts from the night before Eid until the Imam enters to lead the Eid prayer..
2) The time for Takbeer on Eidul-Adha starts from the first day of the Eid until the sun sets at the last day of the days of Tashreeq (the third day after Eid)
Evidences
1) Quran enjoined Muslims to Saying Takbeer in Eidulfitr. Allah swt says: “So that you must complete the same number (of days of Ramadan), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great) for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” Surat Al-Baqarah (2:185)
2) Quran also enjoins Muslims to say Takbeer in Eidul-Adha. Allah swt
َاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْدُودَاتٍ” سورة البقرة: 203
“And remember Allah during [specific] numbered days ..” Surat Al-Baqarah (2:203)
3) Allah swt enjoins Muslims to generally exalt and magnify Him (by saying Takbeer) in the highest and best way without any restriction of time or place.
وَكَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيرًا
“ … and glorify Him with a great glorification” Surat Al-Israa (17- 111)
4) It is a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) to chant Takbeer loudly in public places, not only in the two Eids days but also in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah before Eidul Al-Adha and the three days of Tashreeq.
5) The Salaf and the guided predecessors used to follow this Sunnah and make Takbeer at Eid days.
i) Al-Daraqutni and others narrated that on the morning of Eidul-Fitr and Eidul-Adha, Ibn ‘Umar would strive hard in reciting Takbeer until he came to the prayer place, then he would recite Takbeer until the Imam came out.
ii) It is also narrated that Awzaa’i and Malik ibn Anas said that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar used to say Takbeer loudly on the day of Edul-Fitr until the Imam came out (to lead the prayers).
Formats of Takbeer
There is no specific format of Takbeer that has been traced to the Prophet (pbuh). The matter is broad in scope, because
Format (1)
The most common format is reported from Ibn Mas‘ood (raa) and others of the early generation, whether the first takbeer is said twice or three times.
اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ أكبر
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar , Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
لا إلَهَ الا اللّه
La illaha il Allah
There is no God, but Allah
اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ اكبر
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
و لِلّه الحمدَ
walilahil Hamd
to Him belongs all Praise
Format (2)
The following format is praised by Imam Imam al-Shaafa‘i (may Allah have mercy on him).
اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ أكبر
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar , Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
لا إلَهَ الا اللّه
La illaha il Allah
There is no God, but Allah
اللّهُ أكبر اللّهُ اكبر
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
و لِلّه الحمدَ
walilahil Hamd
to Him belongs all Praise
اللّهُ أكبرُ كَبيِرَا
Allahu Akbaru Kabeera
Allah is the Greatest, with the greatest Magnification.
وَالحَمدُ لِلّهِ كَثِيرا
wal-Hamdulilahi katheera
And abundant Praise is due to Him
وَ سُبحَان اللّهِ
wa Subhan allahi
And all Glory to Allah
بُكرَةً وَأصْيِلا
bukratan wa aseila
Eventide and in the morning
لا إلَهَ الا اللّه
La illaha il Allah
There is no God, but Allah, the Unique
صَدَقَ وَعدَه
sadaqa wa’dah
He has fulfilled His Promise
وَنَصَرَ عبده
wa nasara abda
and made Victorious His servant
وأعزَ جُنَده
wa a’azza jundahu
and made Mighty His soldiers
وَهزم الأحْزَابَ وحْدَه
wa hazamal-ahzaaba wahdah
and He alone defeated the confederates clans
لا إلَهَ الا اللّه
La illaha il Allah
There is no God, But Allah
وَلا نَعبُد الا أياه
wa laa na’budu illa iyyah
He alone we worship
مُخلِصِّينَ لَهُ الدّيِنَ
mukhlessena lahud-deena
with sincere and exclusive devotion
وَلوْ كَرِهَ الكَافِروُن
walaw karehal-Kafeeroon
Even though the idolaters hate it
- September 03, 2016
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