Allāhu Akbar

Allah is the Greatest.

ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

Suggested ×34

When is Allāhu Akbar recited?

Allāhu Akbar, meaning "Allah is the Greatest.", is cited in Sahih Muslim 596. Recited after each of the five daily prayers (34 to complete Tasbīḥ Fāṭima). A suggested count is 34 repetitions per sitting, counted on any tasbih or a plain hand count.

What is the source for Allāhu Akbar?

The primary source is Sahih Muslim, reference 596. This dhikr is reviewed under Sibha's editorial policy before publication.

Review status: sourced, pending scholarly review. Last checked 2025-01-01. See editorial policy.

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What does Allāhu Akbar mean?

Allāhu Akbar uses the superlative form akbar (greater/greatest) from the root k-b-r. When a superlative is used without specifying what it is being compared to, it implies absolute superiority over all things: Allah is greater than everything conceivable. Greater than any worldly concern, greater than any fear, greater than any created power. It reorders the believer's priorities at the moment of utterance, placing Allah above every worldly attachment. This is the takbir that opens the salah and punctuates every transition within it: standing, bowing, prostrating, and rising. Its constant repetition is a reminder that one is entering a state where nothing but Allah's greatness matters. It is echoed in the adhan and iqāmah, publicly proclaiming Allah's supremacy over the affairs of the town five times a day.

When should I recite Allāhu Akbar?

Allāhu Akbar is recited on 5 distinct occasions in the Sunnah, listed below, ranging from fixed moments after prayer to general daily remembrance. Each occasion is sourced from an authentic hadith rather than custom.

To open every salah (takbirat al-iḥrām) and between its movements (Sahih al-Bukhari 785).
In the adhan and iqāmah (Sahih Muslim 379).
On the two Eids and the days of Tashrīq during Hajj.
34 times after the obligatory prayers (Sahih Muslim 596).
Upon ascending elevated ground while traveling (Sahih al-Bukhari 2993).

What is the virtue of Allāhu Akbar?

Sahih Muslim 601: the takbir is among the four words most beloved to Allah: SubḥānAllāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Lā ilāha illallāh, and Allāhu Akbar.

How many times should I say Allāhu Akbar?

34 times after each obligatory prayer (Sahih Muslim 596). Repeated continuously during salah at each transition.

What are common misconceptions about Allāhu Akbar?

2 misunderstandings come up most often about Allāhu Akbar, mostly about when it applies or how it differs from similar phrases. Correcting them helps the dhikr keep its intended meaning rather than becoming a habit said on autopilot.

It is often mistranslated simply as "Allah is great." The Arabic comparative form conveys "Allah is greater than all else," a stronger and more complete meaning.
It has been wrongly associated in some media with violence. In authentic Islamic practice it is foremost a prayer formula and an expression of humility before Allah's greatness, used dozens of times daily in worship.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need wudu to say Allāhu Akbar?

No. Wudu is preferred for dhikr but not required. You can recite from memory in any state of purity.

Can I count Allāhu Akbar on a digital counter?

Yes. Set a target of 34 on any tap counter, including Sibha, and it will track the count for you.

Is Allāhu Akbar the same in every school of thought?

The Arabic wording and the source hadith are the same across schools. Minor differences in recommended timing or count exist between some scholars.

What if I say Allāhu Akbar more than 34 times?

There is no harm in saying it more. The suggested count is the minimum drawn from the Sunnah, not a ceiling.

Which other adhkar are related to Allāhu Akbar?

4 other short adhkar in the library pair naturally with Allāhu Akbar as part of a daily routine, each with its own source and suggested count.

Last verified 29 August 2026. How we source and cite.