Is it permissible to say "Allah the Most Generous" instead of "Allah is the Greatest" in the opening takbir of prayer?
Scholars differed regarding the permissibility of pronouncing the takbir with words other than "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest) in prayer. The majority of jurists (Malikis, Shafi'is, and Hanbalis) held that it is impermissible, arguing that acts of worship are based on divine revelation and explicit texts, and it has not been reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, began prayer with anything else. The Shafi'is permitted adding to it what does not alter the meaning of the name, such as "Allah al-Akbar" (Allah, the Most Great). On the other hand, Abu Hanifa and Muhammad ibn al- held that it is permissible to begin prayer with any expression that purely magnifies and glorifies Allah, such as "Allah A'ẓam" (Allah is Most Magnificent) or "Ar-Rahman Akbar" (The Most Merciful is Greater), as long as it is not mixed with a request for a need. The preponderant opinion is that of the majority.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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