If a person adds words such as these, we hope there is no harm in it, following the example of Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). However, what is preferable is to adhere to what is authentically reported from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

May they recite the takbir—the declaration that Allah is Most Great—instead of the talbiyah when it is a time for takbir, such as the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah?

The answer is: Yes. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “We performed Hajj with the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace); some of us were declaring Allah’s greatness, while others were reciting the talbiyah.” (1) This shows that they were not reciting the talbiyah collectively. Had they been doing so, they would all have been either reciting the talbiyah or declaring Allah’s greatness. Rather, some would declare Allah’s greatness, while others would recite the talbiyah; each remembered his Lord according to his own circumstances.

Issue: The scholars said that one should mention one’s particular rite in the talbiyah, but only from time to time. Thus, if one is performing Umrah, he says: “Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah”; if performing Hajj: “Here I am, O Allah, for Hajj”; and if performing the combined Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage: “Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah and Hajj.”

The man should raise his voice when reciting it, whereas the woman should keep her voice low.

His statement, “The man should raise his voice when reciting it,” means that he should raise his voice in reciting it, for the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Gabriel came to me and commanded me to instruct my Companions to raise their voices when pronouncing the talbiyah.” (2) Thus, a man should raise his voice in obedience to the command of