There are two types of Allahu Akbars (said for the `Eids), unrestricted and restricted.
- The unrestricted, meaning those not confined to a particular circumstance but rather recited in mosques, homes, and the street, are sunna to recite from sunset on the night before each `Eid until the imam commences the `Eid prayer with the opening Allahu Akbar.
- The restricted, meaning those recited after prayers ( whether the five prescribed prayers or the non-obligatory ), are sunna for `Eid al-Adha only, from the noon prayer (zuhr) on `Eid day until the dawn prayer (Subh) on the last of the three days that follow it, which is the fourth day of the `Eid. (The more reliable position is that the time for them begins from dawn of the Day of `Arafa and ends at the midafternoon prayer (`asr) on the last of the three days that follow `Eid al-Adha.) They are recited (by men, by women (who say them to themselves), by both nontravellers and travellers, and whether one is praying by oneself or in a group) after the current prescribed prayers or making up prescribed prayers missed during the `Eid or before, and after prayers performed to fulfill a vow, funeral prayers, and supererogatory prayers. If one misses a prayer during the `Eid but does not make it up until after the `Eid, then one does not recite "Allahu Akbar" after it.
- One says, "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar" (and then, "there is no god but Allah. Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, praise be to Allah"). It is commendable to add, as people are accustomed to. "Allah is ever greatest, etc." (namely: "Much praise be to Allah. Glory to Him morning an evening. There is no god but Allah. Him alone we worship, making our religion sincerely His though the unbelivers be averse. There is no god but Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His slave, strengthened His army, and vanquished Confederates alone. There is no god but Allah. Allah is ever greatest")
- It is recommended to say "Allahu akbar" on the first ten days of Dhul Hijja whenever one sees a head of livestock (out of reverence for its Creator).
- The recitations in their original arabic version - here
