Most Muslims Don't Know These Words — But You Must Say Them 23 Times This Eid

There is a specific act of worship that is only performed in ten days of the entire year. Most Muslims know it exists, but many are unsure of the exact words, the exact timing, or the ruling behind it.

It is the Takbeer-e-Tashreeq — the glorification of Allah that is recited after every obligatory prayer during the days of Eid-ul-Adha.

The Words of Takbeer-e-Tashreeq

These words are to be said once after every fard (obligatory) prayer during the days of Tashreeq. They are not said after sunnah or nafl prayers — only after the fard.

When Does It Begin and End?

According to the majority of scholars:

Takbeer-e-Tashreeq begins after the Fajr prayer of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah — the Day of Arafah.

It ends after the Asr prayer of the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.

This means it is said after a total of 23 fard prayers — from Fajr of the 9th to Asr of the 13th.

The Hanafi school considers it wajib (obligatory) for every Muslim — male and female, in congregation or praying alone — to say these words after every fard prayer in this period.

What Does This Dhikr Mean?

The words of Takbeer-e-Tashreeq are not random. They carry a profound message that connects directly to the events these days commemorate.

Allahu Akbar — Allah is Greater

Greater than what? Greater than everything — our attachments, our fears, our desires, our dunya. When Ibrahim (AS) raised the knife to sacrifice his beloved son, his heart was saying: Allah is greater than even this love. This is the spirit of these words.

La ilaha illallah — There is no god but Allah

This is the declaration of pure Tawheed. Ibrahim (AS) smashed the idols, rejected his father's religion, and faced the fire — all for this statement. These words are placed in the middle of the Takbeer to remind us what is at the centre of everything: the oneness of Allah.

Wa lillahil hamd — And all praise belongs to Allah

After everything — after the trial, the sacrifice, the difficulty — praise belongs to Allah. Not complaint. Not bitterness. Praise. This is the attitude of Ibrahim (AS), of Ismail (AS), and of every believer who has passed through trial and emerged with their faith intact.

A Sunnah Being Lost

Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (RA) would go to the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah and say Takbeer loudly. The people would hear them and say Takbeer too. It was a communal, public, joyful expression of the greatness of Allah.

Today, many Muslims do not know these words at all. Many who do know them say them quietly or skip them entirely. This is a sunnah that deserves to be revived — in our homes, in our communities, after our prayers.

Practical Tips

Set an alarm or reminder on your phone from the 9th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah — labelled "Say Takbeer after prayer."

Save the Arabic text on your phone so you can read it correctly.

Teach it to your children. Make it a family practice. When the prayer ends, everyone says the Takbeer together.

If you miss it after a prayer, there is no makeup for it — the time for that specific prayer has passed. But simply be more attentive for the next prayer.

Beyond the Obligatory

Outside of the fard prayers, increase your general Takbeer throughout the day. Say Allahu Akbar while cooking, walking, driving. Let these days be filled with the glorification of Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ specifically encouraged increasing in tasbih (Subhanallah), tahmeed (Alhamdulillah), tahleel (La ilaha illallah), and takbeer (Allahu Akbar) during these ten days. — (Ahmad)

These are the days when the angels listen. When Allah boasts about His servants. When the Fire is extinguished for those who sincerely turn to Him.

Fill them with His remembrance.

Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. La ilaha illallah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Wa lillahil hamd.