Saying Takbir collectively

Q: We have some scholars who still advocate that saying Takbir (Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]") in unison is an act of Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet). They claim that `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say Takbir in his tent in Mina and the pilgrims used to copy him. Is this true or not, and is it an act of Sunnah or a Bid‘ah (innovation in religion)?

A: Collective Takbir is Bid‘ah, as there is no evidence to support it from the Qur’an or the Sunnah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Anyone who does an action which is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam), will have it rejected.” As to what `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did, there is nothing in that to support the permissibility of saying Takbir in unison. What happened was that `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was saying Takbir alone and when the pilgrims heard him, they repeated Takbir, but each on his own, not in unison.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.