❖ Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on saying “Allāhu Akbar” and “Astaghfirullāh” aloud after Salah, and what is its virtue?
❖ Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Khaliq Saif ḥafiẓahullāh
① Mention of
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما:
“كُنْتُ أَعْرِفُ انْقِضَاءَ صَلَاةِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِالتَّكْبِيرِ“
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 842)
Translation: “I used to recognize the conclusion of the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer by hearing Takbīr (Allāhu Akbar).”
Narrated by Thawbān رضي الله عنه:
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would finish his prayer, he would say Astaghfirullāh three times, then say:
“اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، تَبَارَكْتَ ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ“
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 591)
Translation: “O Allah! You are Peace, and from You is all peace. You are Blessed, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor.”
❖ Ruling on Saying Dhikr Aloud After Salah
✔ According to scholars such as:
- Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn
- Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah
- Shaykh Ibn Bāz
and others رحمهُم الله:
It is recommended (mustaḥabb) to say the post-prayer adhkār aloud after obligatory Salah.
✔ Imām Abū Dāwūd also established a chapter under the hadith of Ibn ʿAbbās, indicating his view that saying Allāhu Akbar and Astaghfirullāh aloud is recommended.
❖ Permissibility of Saying Dhikr Silently
✔ It is permissible for a person to say Allāhu Akbar or Astaghfirullāh silently after prayer.
✔ However, it is preferable and recommended to say them audibly, so that others may learn and be reminded of the Sunnah.
❖ Virtue of Post-Prayer Dhikr
❖ Although there is no specific Hadith mentioning a unique reward for Allāhu Akbar and Astaghfirullāh after Salah, there are general virtues associated with remembrance after prayer.
Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله stated in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim under the chapter:
“باب استحباب ذكر بعد الصلاۃ“
Translation: “Chapter on the Recommendation of Dhikr after Prayer.”
✔ This indicates that performing post-Salah dhikr is a recommended (mustaḥabb) practice, but not obligatory.
❖ Summary Ruling
① Saying Allāhu Akbar and Astaghfirullāh aloud after Salah is recommended (mustaḥabb).
② Saying them silently is permissible, but the preferred practice is to say them aloud, especially to encourage others and spread the Sunnah.
③ The virtue of these phrases falls under the general reward for remembering Allah and seeking His forgiveness.
④ The ultimate goal is remembrance of Allah and seeking His mercy and pardon.
Conclusion: Let us revive this beautiful Sunnah after every prayer, remembering Allah aloud with humility and gratitude, and seeking His forgiveness consistently.
