QUESTION

In order to show outward happiness at various occasions, some of the Muslims shout "TAKBEER!" at gatherings, and some or all of those present respond by shouting "Allaahu Akbar!" in one group voice. This is usually done three times. What is the ruling on this?

ANSWER by Shaykh Muhammad 'Umar Baazmool, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah

What is apparent to me, and Allaah knows best, is that is a form of bid'ah (blameworthy innovation), as I have not come across a text from the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) nor one from the Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them), nor have I come across any statement from the great scholars who are relied upon for conveying the early narrations that the Companions or others from the Salaf used to do anything similar to this.

So then what is obvious to me is that this action is a bid'ah, and abandoning it is obligatory.

However, there is no problem if the people occasionally say "Allaahu akbar" out of joy, and it coincides with others who have uttered it at the same time. But if it becomes a tradition or a regular practice, something that people take as part of their Deen, worshipping Allaah, the Mighty and Exalted, with it, then it is a form of innovation that the people must advise each other to abandon and stay far away from, and Allaah knows best.

[ The questioner then asks, "So what do you advise a person to do if he wants to express his happiness about an affair, and he also wants the Muslims around him to show their joy as well?" ]

If someone wants to make the people happy about a certain affair, then he simply informs them of it, as the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) became happy when he heard the report of Tameem Ad-Daaree when his boat landed on an island in the sea and he saw a hairy beast that led him to a cave inside the island,and he found therein a man chained down... [1]

The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) became happy upon hearing Tameem Ad-Daaree's story. So he stood and addressed the Companions, requesting Tameem Ad-Daaree to inform them of what took place. Then the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:

"I have only told you of Tameem Ad-Daaree's story since it corresponds exactly with what I have informed you about." [1]

So the Messenger became happy and made others happy by informing others (of what made him happy). Likewise, if a man wants to make his happiness known, then he informs his loved ones about the good thing that happened.

It is also prescribed in the Deen for him to prostrate with sujood ash-shukr when a report comes to him making him happy. He may also pray two rak'ahs of gratitude to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. In the story of the three who remained behind (during the battle of Tabook) [2], Ka'b ibn Maalik prostrated with sajdah ash-shukr when he was informed that Allaah had accepted his repentance.

Notice here that this was done after a Companion came and informed him of some good news. So then showing happiness outwardly was a normal practice of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and the Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them all).

This happiness can be expressed through worship, either by prostrating with sujood ash-shukr or by praying two rak'ahs to thank Allaah for his blessings that have caused this happiness, and Allaah knows best.

FOOTNOTES

[1] see the hadeeth of Al-Jassaasah from Saheeh Muslim #7312 (9/280-284 of Sharh An-Nawawee)

[2] see Ka'b ibn Maalik's story in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #4418 (8/140-145 of Fat-hul-Baaree)

SOURCE

This was translated exclusively for www.bakkah.net from a cassette recording with the knowledge and permission of the shaykh, file no. AAMB022, dated 1423/7/18.

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