تلبیہ

What Does تلبیہ Mean in Detail?

The تلبیہ is among the most recognizable sounds of the حج — a rhythmic, heartfelt chant that rises from millions of حجاج simultaneously, creating an atmosphere of profound spiritual unity. The full text, as transmitted from نبی کریم Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), is: 'Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.' This translates to: 'Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Indeed, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.' The حاجی begins reciting the تلبیہ upon entering the state of احرام at the miqat and continues to repeat it throughout the journey — while walking, riding, ascending hills, descending into valleys, after each نماز, and upon meeting other حجاج. For حج حجاج, the تلبیہ is recited until the stoning of جمرات al-Aqabah on the morning of the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. For عمرہ حجاج, it is recited until the beginning of طواف. Men recite it aloud; women recite it in a voice audible to themselves. The تلبیہ traces its origins to the call of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم). After building the کعبۃ اللہ with his son Ismail, Allah commanded Ibrahim: 'And proclaim to the people the حج; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass' (قرآن 22:27). The تلبیہ is humanity's ongoing response to that ancient divine summons. Some companions of نبی کریم, including Abdullah ibn Umar, would add the words 'labbayka wa sa'dayk, wal-khayru bi yadayk, war-raghba'u ilayk wal-'amal' (Here I am in happiness, all good is in Your hands, and desire and action are directed to You).