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Pillars of prayer
FardRequiredOpening takbir
The opening takbir formally begins the prayer.
Category
Pillars of prayer
Sunan Abi Dawud 618
The key of prayer is purification; takbir opens it and taslim closes it.
الله أكبر
AllahuAkbar
Allah is the Greatest.
When the worshipper says Allahu Akbar to begin salah, the prayer has formally started.
A beginner should treat the opening takbir seriously because it helps the whole prayer feel ordered: purification first, then readiness, then the formal beginning of salah.
This page keeps the explanation simple, but the opening takbir should still be learned with care and reverence.
Islamic Context
Why it matters
The Prophet described takbir as what opens the prayer, so it should be treated as part of the prayer structure itself.