The تلبیہ is: 'Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayk la sharika laka labbayk, innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak' — meaning 'Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.' It is recited from the moment of entering احرام until beginning طواف (عمرہ) or stoning جمرات al-Aqaba on the 10th (حج).
Memorize the تلبیہ in Arabic: 'Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayk la sharika laka labbayk, innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.' Its meaning: '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.' This is the universal response of the حاجی to Allah's call to حج, echoing Prophet Ibrahim's (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) original call.
Start reciting the تلبیہ immediately after making your احرام intention (niyyah) at or before the miqat. The تلبیہ is the verbal declaration of your sacred journey and marks the beginning of your state of worship. It should be recited with full presence of heart, understanding what you are saying — you are responding to Allah's invitation.
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Hajj.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
The تلبیہ should be recited frequently throughout your journey — when moving between places, after نمازs, when ascending or descending elevations, when boarding transport, and whenever you remember. It is not limited to specific times. Men should recite it aloud; women should recite it in a voice loud enough for themselves to hear. نبی کریم (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) and his companions recited it so loudly that their voices became hoarse.
For عمرہ: stop reciting the تلبیہ when you begin طواف (upon seeing the کعبۃ اللہ or starting the first circuit). For حج: stop reciting upon reaching جمرات al-Aqaba for the stoning on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr). After stopping the تلبیہ, switch to takbir (Allahu Akbar) for the stoning and subsequent rituals.
The تلبیہ is not merely words — it is a covenant with Allah. 'Labbayk' (Here I am) is the servant's response to the Master's call. Reflect on what you are saying: you affirm Allah's oneness (la sharika lak), acknowledge that all blessings come from Him (innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka), and declare your submission (wal-mulk — sovereignty is Yours). Many scholars say the quality of one's تلبیہ reflects the quality of one's حج.