Eid ul Adha Takbeer: Meaning, Words and When Muslims Recite It

Muslims around the world are preparing for Eid ul Adha with the recitation of the special Takbeer, a highly respected act of worship observed during the first days of Dhul Hijjah.

The Takbeer, also known as Takbeerat al-Tashreeq, is a declaration of Allah’s greatness and is commonly recited after obligatory prayers from the Day of Arafah until the 13th day of Dhul Hijjah.

The commonly recited words are:

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. La ilaha ill-Allah. Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd.”

In English, the phrase means:

“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise belongs to Allah.”

Islamic scholars say the recitation begins after the Fajr prayer on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and continues after every obligatory prayer until after Asr prayer on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.

The practice is regarded as an important Sunnah and a spiritual reminder for Muslims during the Eid season, encouraging gratitude, devotion and remembrance of Allah.

Religious teachings also encourage believers to combine worship with acts of charity, including Qurbani donations, feeding the needy and supporting vulnerable communities during the festive period.

A Complete Guide to Hajj 2026 and Eid al-Adha Celebrations

Nearly two million Muslims from around the world are preparing for the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, beginning on May 25, 2026, following the sighting of the crescent moon.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is required once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey.

What is Hajj?

Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It represents a spiritual journey of worship, repentance and submission to God.

The pilgrimage follows rituals established by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), Hajar (Hagar), and Prophet Muhammad.

The five pillars of Islam are:

Shahada (declaration of faith)

Salah (daily prayers)

Zakat (charity)

Sawm (fasting during Ramadan)

Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)

When is Hajj 2026?

Hajj takes place every year during Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar.

For 2026:

Hajj begins: May 25

Eid al-Adha begins during the pilgrimage

Main rituals continue for five days

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar-based, the dates shift earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar.

Key Rituals of Hajj

1. Ihram

Pilgrims enter a sacred spiritual state called ihram before reaching Mecca.

Men wear two plain white garments, while women dress modestly. The clothing symbolises equality and humility before God.

2. Tawaf

Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times at Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.

This act symbolises unity in worship and devotion to one God.

3. Sa’i

Pilgrims walk seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa.

The ritual commemorates Hajar’s search for water for her son Ismail before the Zamzam well miraculously appeared.

4. Mina

Pilgrims travel to Mina, known as the “city of tents,” where they spend the night in prayer and reflection.

5. Arafat

The Day of Arafat is considered the most important part of Hajj.

Pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat for prayers, repentance and reflection from midday until sunset.

6. Muzdalifah

After sunset, pilgrims move to Muzdalifah, where they rest under the open sky and collect pebbles for the next ritual.

7. Stoning of the Devil

Pilgrims throw pebbles at stone pillars in Mina, symbolising the rejection of Satan’s temptations.

8. Eid al-Adha Sacrifice

Muslims commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.

Animals such as sheep, goats, cows or camels are sacrificed, and the meat is shared with family, friends and the needy.

9. Shaving or Cutting Hair

Men shave or trim their hair, while women cut a small portion, symbolising spiritual renewal.

10. Final Tawaf

Pilgrims return to Mecca for a farewell tawaf around the Kaaba before concluding the pilgrimage.

Eid al-Adha Celebration

Eid al-Adha marks the end of the main Hajj rituals.

Muslims celebrate with:

Special Eid prayers

Family gatherings

Sharing meals

Giving gifts

Charity and Qurbani (sacrifice)

People commonly greet one another with: “Eid Mubarak” — meaning “Blessed Eid.”

10 days of dhul hijjah importance in islam

Question.

How do the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah differ from other days of the year?

Answer Summary.

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the year for doing good deeds. 

Their virtue is established in the Qur’an and authentic hadith. Allah swears by them, and the Prophet ﷺ confirmed that righteous deeds during these days are more beloved to Allah than any other time (except certain cases of jihad and the last nights of Ramadan due to Laylat al-Qadr).

Why These Days Are Special.

The excellence of these ten days is based on several reasons:

1. Allah swears by them in the Qur’an

“By the dawn, and by the ten nights” (Al-Fajr 89:1–2), which many scholars interpret as the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

2. They are the best days for good deeds

The Prophet ﷺ said no deeds are more beloved to Allah than those done in these days.

3. They include major acts of worship

Such as Hajj, fasting, sacrifice, and remembrance of Allah.

4. They contain important days

Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah): fasting it expiates two years of sins

Day of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha): the greatest day of the year for Muslims.

Recommended Acts of Worship

Muslims are encouraged to increase good deeds during these days, including:

1. Fasting

Especially fasting the Day of Arafah for those not performing Hajj.

2. Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)

Frequent saying of:

Takbir: Allahu Akbar

Tahmid: Alhamdulillah

Tahlil: La ilaha illallah

Tasbih: Subhanallah

3. Hajj and Umrah

Performing pilgrimage is one of the best deeds in these days.

4. General good deeds

Such as:

Prayer

Reading the Qur’an

Charity

Helping parents and relatives

Enjoining good and forbidding evil

5. Sacrifice (Udhiyah)

Offering an animal sacrifice on Eid al-Adha is a major act of worship.

6. Sincere repentance

Turning back to Allah, leaving sins, and resolving to obey Him.

Important Rule for Those Offering Sacrifice.

Whoever intends to offer a sacrifice should not cut:

Hair

Nails

Skin (anything removed from the body).

This restriction lasts from the beginning of Dhul Hijjah until the sacrifice is performed.

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are a great opportunity for Muslims to increase worship and draw closer to Allah. They are a special season of reward, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. A wise believer makes full use of them before they pass.

Is my Jumu‘ah Valid If You Miss the Khutbah?

Yes — your Jumu‘ah prayer is still valid if you miss the khutbah (Friday sermon) but join the imam in time for the prayer itself and catch at least one complete rak‘ah before the imam finishes.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

> “Whoever catches one rak‘ah of the prayer has caught the prayer.”

Based on this hadith, the majority of Islamic scholars state that a person who joins the imam during the second rak‘ah and catches the rukū‘ has successfully caught Jumu‘ah. He then completes the remaining rak‘ah after the imam gives salām, and his Friday prayer is valid.

However, although the prayer remains valid, intentionally missing the khutbah without a genuine excuse is considered blameworthy and sinful by many scholars because listening to the khutbah is itself an obligation connected to Jumu‘ah.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

> “O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade.”

(Surah al-Jumu‘ah 62:9)

The “remembrance of Allah” mentioned in this verse includes both the khutbah and the prayer according to many scholars of tafsīr.

The Importance of the Khutbah.

The khutbah is not merely an introduction before the prayer. It is a central part of Jumu‘ah meant to:

remind Muslims about Allah,

teach guidance and morals,

strengthen faith,

unite the community,

and encourage righteousness and taqwā.

For this reason, Muslims are instructed to:

arrive early,

listen attentively,

avoid talking during the sermon,

and focus completely on the reminder.

The Prophet ﷺ even warned against distracting others during the khutbah. He said:

> “If you say to your companion ‘Be quiet’ while the imam is delivering the khutbah, you have engaged in idle speech.”

This shows how important attentive listening is during Friday worship.

Different Situations.

1. Missing the Khutbah but Catching One Rak‘ah

If you arrive late but still catch the imam in rukū‘ of the second rak‘ah, your Jumu‘ah is valid. After the imam ends the prayer, you stand and complete one more rak‘ah.

2. Arriving After the Second Rak‘ah Rukū‘

If you arrive after the imam has already risen from rukū‘ in the second rak‘ah, then you have missed Jumu‘ah. In this case, you pray regular Ẓuhr prayer as four rak‘ahs instead.

3. Missing the Khutbah Due to a Genuine Excuse

If lateness was caused by unavoidable circumstances such as:

traffic,

illness,

work conditions,

emergencies,

travel difficulties,

or forgetfulness,

then there is hope of no sin upon the person, though one should still strive to attend earlier whenever possible.

Virtue of Arriving Early.

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged believers to come early for Jumu‘ah. In authentic narrations, those who arrive earlier receive greater reward, and the angels stand at the doors of the mosque recording the names of attendees until the khutbah begins.

Therefore, while Jumu‘ah can still be valid after missing the khutbah, a Muslim should avoid making lateness a habit and should honor Friday prayer with seriousness, preparation, and punctuality.

Is It Compulsory to Listen to the Khutbah on Jumu’ah?

Yes, listening attentively to the Jumu’ah khutbah is compulsory according to the majority of Islamic scholars. The Friday sermon is not merely a speech before the prayer; it is an important act of worship and a vital part of Jumu’ah.

Allah says in the Quran:

> “O you who believe! When the call for prayer is made on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade aside.” — Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:9

Scholars explain that “the remembrance of Allah” includes both the khutbah and the Jumu’ah prayer. For this reason, Muslims are commanded to stop worldly activities and focus fully on the sermon and prayer.

The Prophet ﷺ strongly emphasized remaining silent and attentive during the khutbah. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

> “If you say to your companion, ‘Listen attentively,’ while the imam is delivering the khutbah, then you have engaged in idle speech."

This hadith is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

This narration shows how important silence is during the khutbah. If even reminding another person to be quiet is considered idle speech, then unnecessary talking and distractions are even more serious.

Why Listening to the Khutbah Matters

The khutbah is meant to:

Remind Muslims about Allah

Strengthen faith and taqwa

Teach Islamic guidance and morals

Unite the Muslim community

Encourage good deeds and warn against sins

A believer should therefore listen with respect, humility, and concentration.

Proper Etiquette During the Khutbah

While the imam is delivering the sermon, Muslims should:

Remain completely silent

Face the imam attentively

Avoid side conversations

Avoid using mobile phones unnecessarily

Refrain from joking or laughing

Avoid fidgeting or distracting others

Even small distractions can reduce the reward of Jumu’ah.

Reward for Listening Attentively

The Prophet ﷺ mentioned great rewards for the person who attends Jumu’ah properly:

Forgiveness of sins between one Friday and the next

Extra rewards for arriving early

Great blessings for listening attentively and avoiding distractions.

Warning Against Neglecting the Khutbah.

Deliberately ignoring the khutbah, talking during it, or engaging in distractions without a valid reason is considered sinful by many scholars. Such behavior reduces the spiritual benefit and reward of Jumu’ah.

A Muslim should therefore treat the khutbah with seriousness and honor, recognizing it as a sacred weekly reminder and an essential part of Friday worship.

The Importance and Virtues of Attending the Jumu’ah Sermon Attentively

Listening attentively to the Friday khutbah is an obligation upon Muslims. A person should avoid talking, fidgeting, or distracting others during the sermon. There are many virtues and rewards mentioned in the hadiths regarding paying close attention to the khutbah.

1. Forgiveness of Sins Between Two Fridays.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said:

> “Whoever performs ghusl, then comes to Jumu’ah, prays what is decreed for him, listens attentively until the khutbah ends, then prays with the imam, his sins between that Friday and the next Friday will be forgiven, plus three extra days.”

Narrated by Sahih Muslim (857). A similar narration was reported by Salman al-Farisi in Sahih al-Bukhari (883).

2. Reward Equal to a Year of Fasting and Night Prayer.

It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

> “Whoever washes thoroughly on Friday, goes early, attends from the beginning of the khutbah, sits close to the imam, and listens attentively, for every step he takes he will receive the reward of one year of fasting and praying at night.”

Narrated by Jami at-Tirmidhi (496). Classified as authentic by scholars including Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani.

3. Speaking During the Khutbah Removes Reward.

Also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said:

> “If you say to your companion on Friday, ‘Listen attentively,’ while the imam is delivering the khutbah, then you have engaged in idle speech.”

Narrated by Sahih al-Bukhari (934) and Sahih Muslim (851).

This shows how serious it is to remain silent and attentive during the sermon.

4. Different Levels of Reward According to Attention

It was reported from Ali ibn Abi Talib that he said in a khutbah:

> Whoever sits where he can hear and see the imam, listens attentively, and avoids idle speech and fidgeting, will receive two portions of reward. Whoever sits farther away but still listens attentively will receive one portion of reward. Whoever talks or fidgets during the khutbah will receive a share of sin.

Narrated by Sunan Abi Dawud (1051). Scholars differed regarding the strength of this narration.

Conclusion

The Friday khutbah is a great act of worship. A Muslim should:

Perform ghusl before Jumu’ah

Arrive early to the mosque

Sit close to the imam if possible

Remain silent and attentive

Avoid talking, using phones, or distracting others.

Doing so brings immense rewards, forgiveness of sins, and the blessings of Jumu’ah.