التكبير المقيد (4)

Takbīr should be said after istighfār Sheikh 'Abdussalām Ash-Shuway'ir ḥafidhahullāh said: "However, we have an important issue related to the timing of the restricted Takbīrs (التكبير المقيد) following the prayers. We know that the specific Takbīr occurs after the prayers, but should it precede seeking forgiveness or follow it? It has been established from the ḥadīth of Thawbān, 'Abduraḥman ibn 'Awf, and others that the Prophet ﷺ used to say, upon completing his prayer, ((أستغفر الله)) "I seek forgiveness from Allah" three times, followed by: ((اللهم أنت السلام ومنك السلام تباركت يا ذا الجلال والإكرام)) "O Allah, You are Peace and from You is peace, blessed are You, O Possessor of majesty and honor." Should the Takbīr come before this supplication, or should the worshiper seek forgiveness first and then proceed with the Takbīr? There are two approaches among scholars on this matter. The closer of these two approaches is that one should begin with seeking forgiveness first and then follow it with the Takbīr. This is the opinion of several scholars, may Allāh have mercy on them. However, what the jurists conveyed through Al-Mardāwi seems to be the opposite: that the Takbīr should be said after the Tasleem and before seeking forgiveness. However, the notion that seeking forgiveness should come first is the view held by the verified scholars that the Imām should seek forgiveness while still facing the Qiblah, then turn to face the congregation and perform the Takbīr. This is the opinion held by the author of "Al-Furū'" and others, and it appears to be the most evident from the Sunnah: that the Takbīr is performed facing the congregation after the supplication, which includes seeking forgiveness and the phrase "O Allah, You are peace and from You is peace." Additionally, there is a subtle point mentioned by some scholars: the phrase "O Allah, You are peace and from You is peace, blessed are You, O Possessor of majesty and honor" is closely connected to the end of the prayer. Since the conclusion of the prayer is السلام عليكم "Peace be upon you," it is fitting that it is followed by seeking forgiveness and then the phrase "O Allah, You are peace." Once the worshiper is certain that they have completed their prayer properly and sought forgiveness for any deficiencies, they should then proceed with the Takbīr. It has also been established that this Takbīr is to be performed after the obligatory prayers if prayed in congregation. This does not mean that the worshiper should only say the Takbīr if the Imām does so; rather, the worshiper should say the Takbīr even if the Imām forgets, as it is a prescribed practice upon the completion of the prayer. If someone has missed a Rak'ah or more, they should say the Takbīr upon completing their prayer, even if the Imām said it long before. If someone has missed a prayer and makes it up in congregation, whether in the masjid or elsewhere, it appears from the scholars' statements that they should also say the Takbīr, as the consideration is the prayer being in congregation. It does not necessarily have to be with the regular Imām, but even if the prayer is made up after its time, as long as it is prayed in congregation, it should be followed by the Takbīr according to the ḥadīth/Athar of Ibn Mas'ūd: إنما التكبير على من صلى في جماعة "The Takbīr is for those who prayed in congregation."