Do We Say Takbir While Rising After Jalsat Al-Istiraha?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Do we say takbir after sitting for jalsat al-istiraha, and then while standing up for the 2nd or 4th rak‘a, or do we say takbir while getting up from sujud and then sitting for jalsat al-istiraha?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

In prayer, whenever one transitions from one posture to another, it is recommended to prolong the words “Allahu Akbar” until reaching the next posture; that is, from the time we raise our heads from sujud until we are fully standing. This practice ensures that the prayer remains filled with dhikr (remembrance of Allah) at all times.

“Whenever one says ‘Allahu Akbar’ during a movement from one prayer posture to another, it is recommended to prolong the words until one reaches the next posture (A: so that one’s prayer is not devoid of invocation (dhikr) at any point).”  [Keller, Reliance of the Traveller]

This beautifully aligns with Allah’s words:

“‘It is truly I. I am Allah! There is no god (worthy of worship) except Me. So worship Me (alone), and establish prayer for My remembrance.” [Quran, 20:14]

By prolonging the takbir, we ensure that we are not only fulfilling the outward movements of the prayer but also keeping our hearts engaged in the remembrance of Allah. This is a simple yet profound way to enrich the quality of our worship.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.