Eid ul-Fitr Takbeer and Eid ul-Adha Takbeerat: Words, Meaning and Timing

The Eid ul-Fitr takbeer is: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd. It means: God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, there is no god but God; God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, and to God belongs all praise.

The same words are used for Eid ul-Adha. What changes between the two Eids is when the takbeer starts and how long it continues. This guide gives the wording in Arabic, the timing for each Eid, and the duas reported for the days of Eid al-Adha.

The Eid takbeer in Arabic, transliteration and English

Arabic: الله أكبر الله أكبر لا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر الله أكبر ولله الحمد

Transliteration: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil-hamd.

Meaning: God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest. There is no god but God. God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, and to God belongs all praise.

This wording is reported from the Companion Abdullah ibn Mas'ud. In many communities the opening Allahu akbar is said three times instead of twice; both forms are reported from the early generations and both are accepted.

A longer version you may hear

Some congregations, particularly those following the Shafi'i school, add further lines of praise. A common addition is:

Arabic: الله أكبر كبيرا، والحمد لله كثيرا، وسبحان الله بكرة وأصيلا

Transliteration: Allahu akbaru kabira, wal-hamdu lillahi kathira, wa subhanallahi bukratan wa asila.

Meaning: God is truly the Greatest, abundant praise belongs to God, and glory be to God morning and evening.

Scholars describe the matter as broad. The instruction is to magnify God, no single formula is reported from the Prophet himself, and the versions handed down from his Companions are all acceptable. Join in with whatever your mosque recites.

Eid ul-Fitr takbeer: when it starts and ends

For Eid ul-Fitr, the takbeer begins at sunset on the last day of Ramadan, once the new moon of Shawwal is confirmed, and continues until the imam comes out to lead the Eid prayer. It is said at home, in the street, on the way to the prayer ground and while waiting for the prayer to begin.

The basis is the Quran's verse on Ramadan, which ends: complete the count, and glorify God for having guided you, so that you may be grateful (2:185). The takbeer is that glorification, said aloud at the moment the count is complete.

Takbeerat of Eid ul-Adha: a longer season

The takbeer for Eid ul-Adha lasts much longer than the one for Eid ul-Fitr. The Quran refers to these days when it says to remember God during the appointed days (2:203).

Scholars describe two kinds, listed below. The takbeer said after the prayers is often called takbeer at-tashreeq, after the days of tashreeq (11 to 13 Dhul Hijjah). The schools differ on its exact start and end and on whether it is required or recommended, so follow the practice of your mosque.

• Unrestricted takbeer (mutlaq): said at any time, anywhere, from the start of Dhul Hijjah until sunset on the 13th, the last day of tashreeq.
• Restricted takbeer (muqayyad): said straight after each obligatory prayer. For those not on Hajj it runs from the Fajr prayer on the Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah) until the last day of tashreeq. For pilgrims it begins after the Zuhr prayer on the day of sacrifice.

How the takbeer is recited

There is no fixed number of repetitions. People repeat the takbeer as often as they wish, alone or in a group. Umm Atiyyah reported in Sahih al-Bukhari that women were brought out on the day of Eid and said the takbeer along with everyone else.

This takbeer is different from the extra takbeers said inside the Eid prayer itself, which are explained in our Eid prayer guide.

Eid al-Adha dua: what is reported

There is no single prescribed dua for the day of Eid al-Adha. The takbeer above is the main remembrance. Three other supplications are tied to these days in the hadith collections.

On the Day of Arafah, the day before Eid. A hadith in Jami at-Tirmidhi calls the supplication of Arafah the best supplication. Tirmidhi himself notes that one of its narrators is not considered strong, and some scholars grade the chain weak, but the words are a well-established remembrance of God that is widely recited on the day: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير. Transliteration: La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ala kulli shay'in qadir. Meaning: There is no god but God alone, without partner; His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He has power over all things.

At the sacrifice. Anas reported, in Bukhari and Muslim, that the Prophet mentioned God's name and said the takbeer when he sacrificed: بسم الله، والله أكبر (Bismillah, wallahu akbar: In the name of God; God is the Greatest). Sahih Muslim also records him saying: بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ (Bismillah, Allahumma taqabbal min Muhammadin wa ali Muhammadin wa min ummati Muhammad: In the name of God. O God, accept this from Muhammad, the family of Muhammad and the community of Muhammad). On that pattern, many people ask God to accept the sacrifice from themselves and their family.

When greeting others. The Companions used to say to each other on Eid: تقبل الله منا ومنكم (Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum: May God accept from us and from you). More phrases are in our guide to Eid greetings.

Beyond these, you can ask for anything in your own words and your own language.

Remembering Gaza in your takbeer and your giving

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are days in which, according to a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, good deeds are better than at any other time. Charity is one of them, alongside the takbeer.

In Gaza, UN News reported on 29 May 2026 that nearly the entire population remained displaced as Eid al-Adha began. Fight for Palestine funds food parcels and hot meals, clean water, medical aid and shelter items there through local partner teams. You can give Sadaqah, support food assistance or donate where it is needed most.

For the background to each festival, see Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. For personal rulings on the takbeer, follow your own scholar or mosque.