The Complete Takbir in Prayer
When the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the takbir (takbīr, the proclamation of 'Allāhu akbar' in ritual prayer) fully during prayer, some hadiths contain details about how and when this takbir was uttered. This information provides important guidance for performing the prayer correctly.
According to the narration from ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Abzā, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, who prayed with the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), stated that he did not complete the takbir. This statement indicates that he did not fully utter the takbir before and after bowing (rukūʿ), that is, he did not say the takbir while descending into rukūʿ and before prostrating (sujūd). This situation may also mean sometimes omitting the intermediate takbirs or not pronouncing them clearly.
According to the narration from al-Zuhrī (may Allah be pleased with him), Abū Hurayra would pronounce the takbir in obligatory and supererogatory prayers when he stood for prayer, when he descended into rukūʿ, before prostrating, while descending into prostration, when raising his head from prostration, when prostrating again, when raising his head again from prostration, and when rising at the beginning of the two rakʿas. In this way, he would repeat the takbir in every rakʿa and continue to perform these takbirs until the prayer was completed.
According to Abū Dāwūd, this hadith shows that the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) completed the takbir in prayer. For he would pronounce the takbir while descending into rukūʿ, before prostrating, and when rising from prostration. This demonstrates that the takbir was performed in its entirety.
These hadiths show that the takbir is an important element in prayer, and when it is pronounced correctly, the prayer becomes even stronger and more meaningful. The presence of the takbir at every stage of the prayer allows the act of worship to carry deeper meanings.
The above narrations explain how and when the takbir is pronounced. This information guides those who perform the prayer to utter the takbir correctly. The takbir, being considered as an expression of praise (ḥamd) and gratitude (shukr) to Allah, as well as turning towards Him and marking the beginning of worship, is one of the most important elements of prayer.