Ruling on Du`a after the Talbiyah in Hajj and ‘Umrah

The scholars are unanimously agreed that it is recommended for the pilgrim in ihram for Hajj and ‘Umrah to recite the Talbiyah a great deal: “Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni‘mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner).” Then when he has finished it, he may send blessings upon the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and ask Allah for whatever he wants, such as asking Him for Paradise and seeking refuge with Him from Hell.

A hadith to that effect was narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), but its isnaad is da‘eef.

Ad-Daaraqutni (2507) and al-Bayhaqi in as-Sunan al-Kubra (5/46) narrated from Khuzaymah ibn Thaabit (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had finished his Talbiyah, he would ask Allah for His good pleasure and forgiveness, and he would seek refuge in His mercy from the Fire.

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said in Buloogh al-Maraam: Its isnaad is da‘eef (weak). See: Talkhees al-Habeer (1005).

Al-Qaasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr as-Siddeeq said: It was enjoined after completing the Talbiyah to send blessings upon the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

Imam ash-Shaafa ‘i (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

Rationally speaking, the one who recites the Talbiyah is coming to Allah and his utterance of the Talbiyah reflects the fact that he is responding to the caller who called to Allah. Part of making supplication perfect and making it more hopeful of a response is sending blessings upon the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and asking Allah, may He be exalted, after that, by virtue of sending blessings upon the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), for Paradise and seeking refuge with Him from Hell, for that is the greatest one may ask Him for. And after that he may ask for whatever he wants.

End quote from Ma‘rifat as-Sunan wa’l-Athaar by al-Bayhaqi (8/35)

He also said:

What I prefer is for the individual to limit the Talbiyah to the words that were narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and not to add anything to it except what has been narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and to glorify Allah, may He be exalted, and call upon Him after completing the Talbiyah and pausing.

End quote from al-Umm (2/169-170)

An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

It is recommended (mustahabb), after completing the Talbiyah, to send blessings upon the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and to ask Allah, may He be exalted, for His good pleasure and Paradise, and to seek refuge with Him from Hell, then to offer whatever supplication one wants.

End quote from al-Majmoo‘ (7/260)

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: When the individual has completed the Talbiyah, he should send blessings upon the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and offers supplication for whatever he wants of good in this world and the hereafter.

End quote from al-Mughni (5/107)

Ibn Qaasim (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on ar-Rawd al-Murbi‘ (3/574): It is Sunnah to offer supplication after the Talbiyah, asking for whatever one wants, and there is no difference of scholarly opinion on that point, because this is a time when supplication is likely to receive a response. So he should ask Allah for Paradise and seek refuge with Him from Hell. End quote.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The muhrim (pilgrim in ihram) should recite the Talbiyah a great deal, especially at changes of time and place, such as when going up or down (whilst travelling?), or when night or day come, and after that he should ask Allah for His good pleasure and Paradise, and seek refuge in His mercy from Hell.

End quote from Fatawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (24/378)

And Allah knows best.