Obligation of pronouncing Talbiyah (Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk) during Hajj or Umrah
Chapter on Mentioning Ihram
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
The pronouncement of Talbiyah is recommended (*masnunah*) because the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed it and commanded raising the voice in it, which indicates at least a recommendation. The best form of Hajj is described as Al-'Aj and Al-Thaj, where Al-'Aj is raising the voice with the Talbiyah. Evidence for its virtue includes the report that every Muslim who says the Talbiyah causes everything to respond from their right side, near or far, until the earth is cut off on both sides, as narrated by Ibn Majah.
Supporting text
Some scholars from the school of Malik consider it obligatory, requiring a penalty (*damm*) if omitted. Al-Thawri and Abu Hanifa consider it a fundamental prerequisite (*shart*) of Ihram, without which the Ihram is invalid, similar to the opening Takbir for prayer. This is supported by Ibn Abbas's interpretation of the verse {So whoever has made Hajj or Umrah obligatory upon himself in these months} (Quran 2:197) to mean Al-Ihlaal (Talbiyah), which others like 'Ata, Tawus, and 'Ikrimah also defined as Talbiyah. However, the primary view is that since it is a form of remembrance (*dhikr*), it is not obligatory in Hajj, unlike in prayer where utterance is required in the final part.