Offering Du`a with the congregation is: 1) Either proven in the Sunnah, such as the Du`a of Istisqa’ and Al-Qunut, which is undoubtedly prescribed. 2) Or it is done in situations with no proof in the Sunnah, such as: the five daily prayers, immediately after burying the deceased, in `Arafah, and so on. In this case, there is nothing wrong with it if it is done occasionally, but if it is done regularly, then it is a Bid`ah (innovation).

Calling upon Prophet Muhammad and asking of him, besides Allah, and seeking his help is a major Shirk (polytheism) that puts one beyond the pale of Islam.

At the Miqat of `Umrah, it is Sunnah to recite Tasbih, Tahlil, and Takbir. On the way to Makkah, it is Sunnah to recite the Talbiyah a great deal. During Tawaf, every time you come in line with the Black Stone in each circuit, say, “Allahu akbar.” Before climbing up As-Safa and when atop it, you should recite: “Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are of the Symbols of Allah” then say: ‘I begin with that with which Allah began’. When climbing Al-Marwah, you should do the same as you did when climbing As-Safa, without reciting the verse before starting to climb.

With regard to someone saying `Labbayk ya Rasul Allah’ during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, there is no confusion about this being permissible. But after his death, no one should say, `Labbayk ya Rasul Allah.’ Rather you should say: ‘Labbayk Allahumma labbayk.’

Singling out the first third of Ramadan to make Du`a for mercy, the second third to make Du`a for forgiveness and the last third to make Du`a for ransom from Hell is an innovation for which there is no basis in Islamic teachings. There is also no justification for singling out these times for these Du`as, because all the days of Ramadan are equal in that regard. Rather the Muslim may make Du`a for whatever he wants of goodness in this world and the hereafter throughout Ramadan; that includes asking Allah for mercy, forgiveness, ransom from the Fire and admission to Paradise.

1- You can say this Du`a to pay off our debts: “Allahumma ikfini bi halalika `an haramika wa aghnini bi fadlika `amman siwaka.” 2- One of the most beneficial means of attaining provision is praying a great deal for forgiveness.