Question

The takbirs of tashriq have some versions citing Allahu Akbar twice in the beginning and the strength given is reliable. There is another version doing its rounds on social media citing Allahu Akbar thrice in the beginning and the strength given as authentic.

Is it permissible to read both? Is one more authentic then the other? Should one not be read?

 

Answer

According to the Hanafi school, the version that has the “Allahu Akbar” twice at the beginning is more preferred, since it is reported as the version recited by senior Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum).

See here.

Imam Shafi’i (rahimahullah) has preferred the version that has the “Allahu Akbar” thrice at the beginning.

(Refer: Fathul Bari, before Hadith: 970 and ‘Umdatul Qari, before Hadith: 970)

Followers of the Shafi’i madhhab should follow their school.

Note 1: In your question, you enquired about which one is more authentic. It should be understood that when inspecting the suitability of a narration for practice, it being more authentic is -to an extent- largely irrelevant. The Fuqaha (Jurists) have a long list of reasons for which one narration is preferred over another.

(Refer to Tadribur Rawi, vol. 5, pg. 123-133)

This is an issue that many contemporaries are unaware of.

Note 2: In areas where followers are predominantly Hanafi for example, when one wishes to circulate any view that is contrary or different from the Hanafi school, it should be stated as the view of whichever madhhab it is [like in this case; the Shafi’i view]. Obviously the same applies to the opposite case as well.

Failure to do so will almost certainly lead to unnecessary confusion.

May Allah Ta’ala allow us all to be united on the truth. Amin.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar