Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) says...

Imam as-Sadiq ( ‘a ) says: “When you are reciting the takbir , everything must be insignificant in your sight except Him.”[^7] That a person would recite the takbir with his tongue while his heart is attached to something else is a lie and a deception, and because of this, God takes the sweetness of remembrance { dhikr } from him. Takbir in Islamic culture The recital of “ Allahu akbar ” has been customary not only in prayer but rather in many affairs and situations.

During the early period of Islam the Muslims used to recite the takbir both in times of prosperity and adversity. For example: During the Battle of the Trench { khandaq }, the Muslims came across a firm rock while they were digging the trench. The pick was broken but not the rock. The Prophet (S) came and crushed the rock with a blow.

The Muslims recited the takbir in unison and right there the Prophet (S) said: “I saw the fall of the Byzantine and the Persian castles in the sparks and sparkles of the rocks.”[^8] During the Battle of Siffin, ‘Ali ( ‘a ) used to recite the takbir whenever he slew an enemy.

By counting the number of takbir s, the Muslims would know the number of those whom he had sent to hellfire.[^9] On the night when Fatimah az-Zahra ( ‘a ) was sent to the house of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib ( ‘a ) (after the wedding), 70 thousand angels came down to chant the takbir .[^10] Our Holy Prophet (S) recited 40 takbir s over the body of Fatimah bint al-Asad (mother of Imam ‘Ali ( ‘a ))[^11] and 70 takbir s over the body of his uncle Hamzah.[^12] During the Hajj rituals, it is mustahabb to recite takbir with every stone that is thrown at the representations of Satan.[^13] In the Tasbihat Hadrat Fatimah az-Zahra ( ‘a ) whose reward is equivalent to a thousand rak‘ah s of mustahabb prayers, 34 takbir s are included.[^14] When the Holy Prophet (S) was born, the first sentence he was able to utter was “ Mubarakahu Allahu akbar ” {Blessed is He; Allah is greater}.[^15] When Mecca fell into the hands of the Muslims, the Prophet (S) entered the Masjid al-Haram, pointed to the Hajar al-Aswad {Black Stone}, and recited the takbir .

The Muslims also recited the same takbir which brought fear into the hearts of the polytheists.[^16] We read in the traditions: “Whenever a certain thing astonishes you, recite the takbir .”[^17] During the Battle of Uhud, one of the leading warriors amog the infidels asked for a challenger.