The virtue of Takbeer

The first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah are venerated days. Allaah swore by them in His Book, and swearing by a thing is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

 

“By the dawn;

By the ten nights (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah)”

[al-Fajr 89:1]

Ibn ‘Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others among the earlier and later generations said: This refers to the ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: This is the correct view.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413

Good deeds during these days are beloved to Allaah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 969; al-Tirmidhi, 757. This version was narrated by al-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 605. 

One of the righteous deeds during these days is to remember Allaah by reciting takbeer (saying “Allaahu akbar”) and tahleel (saying “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah”), because of the following evidence. 

1 – 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”

[al-Hajj 22:28] 

The “appointed days” are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. 

2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And remember Allaah during the appointed Days”

[al-Baqarah 2:203] 

These are the days of al-Tashreeq, i.e. the 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhu’l-Hijjah. 

3 – The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The days of tashreeq are the days of eating, drinking and remembering Allaah.” Narrated by Muslim, 1141. 




See Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), 13/17; al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 5/220-224.