What is the Eid takbir and when do I say it?
Yes, there's a short chant called the Eid takbir: "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd." For Eid al-Fitr, you say it from the night before Eid until the prayer starts. For Eid al-Adha, it's said through the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah and, in many schools, after every prayer until the 13th.
The words and their meaning
The most common wording is:
- Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
- La ilaha illallah: there is no god but Allah.
- Wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar: and Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
- Wa lillahil hamd: and to Allah belongs all praise.
This wording is reported from Companions such as Ibn Mas'ud, not as a fixed hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, so slight variations are fine. Many Shafi'i communities say "Allahu akbar" three times at the start, and some add longer phrases. Any form that glorifies Allah counts.
Why we say it
The takbir of Eid al-Fitr comes straight from the verse about completing Ramadan:
In the time of the Prophet ﷺ, women and girls, including those on their period, came out on Eid to say the takbir along with the men and to make dua (Sahih al-Bukhari 971). During Hajj, the Companions also said takbir on the way from Mina to Arafat (Sahih al-Bukhari 970).
When to say it
- Eid al-Fitr: from sunset on the last day of Ramadan (once Eid is announced) until the imam starts the Eid prayer. It's especially common on the way to the prayer and while waiting for it to start. Hanafi scholars generally prefer saying it quietly on the way; other schools encourage saying it out loud.
- Eid al-Adha, general takbir: any time during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah and the days after Eid. See What are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah?
- Eid al-Adha, after prayers: many scholars say it after each obligatory prayer from Fajr on the Day of Arafah until Asr on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Details differ slightly between schools.
How to say it
- Men: out loud, in the street, the car, the mosque or at home.
- Women: softly, or out loud among women and family.
- Together or alone: mosques often chant it in unison before the prayer; joining in is common. Saying it on your own is just as good.
Not sure how the prayer itself works? See How do I pray the Eid prayer? and, for sisters, Can women go to the Eid prayer?
- The takbir glorifies Allah for completing Ramadan and for Hajj season.
- Eid al-Fitr: from the night before until the prayer.
- Eid al-Adha: through Dhul Hijjah and after prayers until the 13th.
- The wording comes from the Companions; small variations are fine.
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