partner to You.” If he adds such words as “Here I am, O Lord of the ways of ascent,” or “Here I am, ready to serve You,” or similar expressions, that is permissible. The Companions used to make such additions while the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—heard them, and he did not forbid them. He himself consistently recited his own talbiya. One begins reciting the talbiya upon entering ihram, whether one has mounted a riding animal or not. Entering ihram after that is also permissible.

The talbiya is a response to Allah Most High’s call to His creation, when He summoned them to perform Hajj to His House through His close friend Abraham—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The person reciting the talbiya submits and yields to another, just as someone seized by the collar and held at the base of the neck yields. Its meaning is: “We answer Your call, submit to Your wisdom, and obey Your command, time after time, continuing steadfastly in this.”

The talbiya is the distinctive proclamation of Hajj. The finest acts of Hajj are calling aloud and shedding blood: calling aloud means raising the voice in the talbiya, and shedding blood means slaughtering the sacrificial animals. It is therefore recommended for a man to raise his voice in the talbiya without straining himself. A woman raises her voice enough for her female companion to hear her.

It is recommended to recite it frequently as circumstances change: after the prayers, when ascending a rise or descending into a valley, upon hearing someone recite the talbiya, when night or day begins, and when groups of travelers meet. The same applies when one does something forbidden. It has been narrated that whoever recites the talbiya until sunset reaches the evening forgiven.

If, after reciting the talbiya, he supplicates and invokes blessings upon the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—