Main Content :
Niyyah
The Niyyah should be made at the Miqat or close to the Miqat as you move towards it. The intention must be made from the heart although it is also Mustahabb to utter the Niyyah verbally in Arabic or in your native language.
It is also recommended to stipulate the purpose of Ihram while making the intention, specifying whether it is for Hajj or Umrah. If you’re performing Hajj, you should also indicate the type of Hajj you intend to carry out.
The following are some examples of intentions that can be made in Arabic:
-Niyyah For Umrah
This Niyyah is to be made if you’re performing Umrah during any time of the year, or Umrah as part of Hajj al-Tamattu. If you’re performing Hajj al-Tamattu, an intention for the Hajj will be made at a later stage.
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً
Labbayka llāhumma ‘umratan.
O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-‘umrata.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فَيَسِّرْهَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهَا مِنِّيْ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-‘umrata fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah, so accept it from me and make it easy for me.
-Niyyah For Hajj
This Niyyah is to be made if you’re performing Umrah during any time of the year, or Umrah as part of Hajj al-Tamattu. If you’re performing Hajj al-Tamattu, an intention for the Hajj will be made at a later stage.
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ حَجًّا
Labbayka llāhumma ḥajjan.
O Allah, here I am to perform Hajj.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْحَجَّ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’ḥajja.
O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْحَجَّ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّيْ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’ḥajja fa yassirhā lī wa taqabbalhā minnī.
O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.
-Niyyah For Umrah and Hajj
This Niyyah is to be made if you’re performing Hajj al-Qiran (Umrah and Hajj combined).
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ عُمْرَةً وَ حَجًّا
Labbayka llāhumma ‘umratan wa ḥajjan.
O Allah, here I am to perform Umrah and Hajj.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ وَ الْحَجَّ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’umrata wa l-ḥajja.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah and Hajj.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ الْعُمْرَةَ وَ الْحَجَّ فَيَسِّرْهُمَا لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُمَا مِنِّيْ
Allāhumma innī urīdu l-’umrata wa l-ḥajja fayassirhumā lī wa taqabbalhumā minnī.
O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah and Hajj, so make them easy for me and accept them from me.
-Niyyah with a Stipulation (Ishtirat)
If you feel that something may potentially hinder the performance of your Hajj or Umrah, such as illness, you can add the following stipulation to your Niyyah:
اللَّهُمَّ مَحِلِّي حَيْثُ حَبَسْتَنِي
Allāhumma maḥilli ḥaithu ḥabastani.
O Allah, I will exit Ihram from the point You have prevented me.
This is based on the following narration by Aisha J:
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ entered upon Dubaa bint az-Zubair and asked her: ‘Do you have a desire to perform Hajj?’ She replied: ‘By Allah, I feel sick.’ He said to her: ‘Intend to perform Hajj and stipulate a condition by saying, “O Allah, I will exit Ihram from the point You have prevented me (i.e. I am unable to go further).” She was the wife of al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad.
The benefit here is that if circumstances prevent you from completing the rites of Hajj or Umrah or if you can’t enter Makkah for some reason, Fidyah won’t have to be paid in order to leave the state of Ihram. However, you must still have your hair cut to exit Ihram.
-Changing Niyyah
Once you have entered into Ihram with a specific Niyyah, you can’t change that intention to perform another type of Hajj. For example, if you’ve made the intention to perform Hajj al-Ifrad (Hajj alone), you may not change it to perform Umrah and Hajj al-Tamattu later.
However, it is permitted to change your intention before entering into the state of Ihram. For example, you may have had the intention of performing Hajj al-Qiran (Hajj and Umrah together) at home or during your journey but you make the intention of performing Hajj al-Tamattu at the point of entering Ihram. This is perfectly legitimate.
Make sure you think carefully about the type of Hajj you want to perform prior to making your intention. Keep in mind that Hajj al-Tamattu is the easiest and most common type of Hajj.
-Niyyah for Others
Hajj al-Badal is the act of performing Hajj or Umrah on behalf of someone else who cannot perform Hajj due to illness/incapacity or some other legitimate reason.
If you are performing Hajj on behalf of someone else, such as your mother or your father, the Niyyah would be as follows:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ حَجًّا عَنْ ……. بِنْ / بِنْت
Labbayka llāhumma ḥajjan ‘an ……….. bin / bint ………..
O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj for ……….. son/daughter of ………..
The intention must be made solely for that individual and nobody else.
If you want to pass on the reward to several people, you may do so with the performance of a Nafl Hajj or Umrah.
Talbiyah
After making your intention, recite the Talbiyah.
-Words for Talbiyah
The Sunnah method of reciting the Talbiyah is to briefly pause at four places, indicated by the dashes. The words are as follows:
لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ –
Labbayka llāhumma labbayk(a), labbayka lā sharīka laka labbayk(a), inna l-ḥamda wa n-ni’mata, laka wa l-mulk(a), lā sharīka lak.
At Your service, Allah, at Your service. At Your service, You have no partner, at Your service. Truly all praise, favour and sovereignty is Yours. You have no partner.
-When to Recite Talbiyah
The Talbiyah should be recited as much as possible throughout Hajj and Umrah, whether you’re standing or sitting, in a vehicle or walking, whether you’re with or without Wudhu and in the case of women, whether you’re in a state of menstruation or not.
It is recommended to recite the Talbiyah in the following instances:
- When boarding or disembarking a vehicle.
- When ascending or descending (a hill or a valley).
- When encountering a group of pilgrims.
- After prayers.
- During the last part of the night.
- In the early part of dawn.
- In the morning and evening.
-Timings of Talbiyah
Hajj pilgrims should start uttering the Talbiyah after Ihram is assumed and continue with its recital up until the first pebble is thrown at Jamrat al-Aqaba on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Yawm al-Nahr.
Umrah pilgrims should start reciting the Talbiyah after Ihram is assumed and continue up until the Hajar al-Aswad is kissed, touched or saluted at the beginning of Tawaf al-Umrah.
-Virtues of the Talbiyah
Jabir ibn Abdullah I narrates:
There is no Muhrim who exposes himself to the sun all day for the sake of Allah, reciting the Talbiyah until the sun goes down, but his sins will disappear and he will be as he was on the day his mother bore him.
Sahl bin Sa’d I narrates:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘There is no Muslim who says the Talbiyah except that – on his right and left, until the end of the land, from here to there – the rocks, or trees, or mud say the Talbiyah.
Haram Of Mecca :
The Haram of Makkah is a sacred area that extends a number of miles around Masjid al-Haram in all directions. In this area, it is forbidden to:
- Cut or damage grass, trees or any other type of vegetation.
- Harm or kill wild animals. This includes scaring away pigeons and other birds.
- Carry weapons.
- Fight or behave in a way that will violate the sanctity of this area.
Although you’re unlikely to breach one of these rules, keep in mind the sanctity of Makkah.
If you intend to perform an additional Umrah later on, you must assume Ihram outside the boundary of the Haram before going back to Masjid al-Haram to perform Umrah. Many choose to enter into Ihram at Masjid Aisha which is the nearest and most convenient location from Masjid al-Haram. Transportation to get there is available near the mosque.
Entering Mecca :
As you reach the limits of the Haram, constantly recite the Talbiyah, do Dhikr and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ. Recital of the following Dua is recommended upon entering the Haram:
اَللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ، وَأَمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ
Allāhumma hādhā ḥaramuka wa amnuka fa ḥarrimnī ‘ala-n-Nār, wa amminnī min ‘adhābika yawma tab’athu ‘ibādak, wa j‘alnī min awliyā’ika wa ahli ṭā’atik.
Allah, this is Your sanctuary and security, so make me unlawful to Hell-Fire, make me safe from Your punishment on the day You resurrect Your servants; and make me one of Your friends and one of the people who obey You.
After arriving at your accommodation in Makkah, you may want to freshen up or take a rest before making your way to Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf al-Umrah. If you decide to take a shower, ensure you don’t use any items that are prohibited in the state of Ihram e.g. scented soap or shampoo. It is recommended you present yourself at Masjid al-Haram as soon as possible.
When you’re ready, decide which of your belongings you want to take with you bearing in mind there are thieves that operate in the mosque.
It is recommended that you take a drawstring bag for your shoes. Keep them close to you because they can get lost fairly easily.
Entering Masjid al-Haram:
It is Sunnah to enter Masjid al-Haram via Bab al-Salam (the Gate of Peace). If you can’t do this, you may proceed through any other door. Step through with your right foot first and recite the supplication for entering a mosque. Either or both of these supplications may be recited:
.بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ. اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِك
Bismi-llāh, Allāhumma ṣalli alā Muhammad. Allāhumma-ghfir lī wa-ftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatik.
In the name of Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad ﷺ. O Allah, open for me the doors of Your Bounty.
أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ الْعَظِيمِ، وَبِوَجْهِهِ الْكَرِيمِ، وَسُلْطَانِهِ الْقَدِيمِ، مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
A‘ūdhu bi-llāhi-l-Aẓīm, wa bi-wajhihi-l-karīm, wa sulṭānihi-l-qadīm, mina-sh-Shayṭāni-r-rajīm.
I seek protection in Allah the Tremendous, His Noble Countenance, and His pre-eternal Sovereign Might from Shaytan the rejected.
After arriving at your accommodation in Makkah, you may want to freshen up or take a rest before making your way to Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf al-Umrah. If you decide to take a shower, ensure you don’t use any items that are prohibited in the state of Ihram e.g. scented soap or shampoo. It is recommended you present yourself at Masjid al-Haram as soon as possible.
When you’re ready, decide which of your belongings you want to take with you bearing in mind there are thieves that operate in the mosque.
- Don’t perform Tahiyatul Masjid (prayer for greeting the mosque) if you intend to; your Tawaf will suffice as the “greeting” for Masjid al-Haram.
- If you don’t have the intention of performing Tawaf immediately, you may perform Tahiyatul Masjid.
- In Masjid al-Haram, it is permissible for anyone to walk across those performing Salah. However, their place of prostration should be avoided.
First Sight Of Kaaba:
After entering the mosque, keep your gaze lowered until you reach the Mataf area, which is the open space where Tawaf takes place. When you’re ready, with humility, awe and reverence, lift your gaze to set sight on the beatific vision of the Holy Kaaba.
Upon seeing the Kaaba for the first time, raise your hands and make Dua with the utmost concentration and sincerity as this is among those places where prayers are answered. Remember to recite Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ when making Dua. Umar ibn al-Khattab I narrated:
Dua is suspended between heaven and earth and none of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet ﷺ.
[Narrated in Sunan al-Tirmidhi]
Imam Abu Hanifa I would use this opportunity to make Dua to Allah that he be among those whose supplications are always accepted.
Recite the following three times:
.اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ. اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ . لَآ اِلَهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ
Allāhu akbar. Allāhu akbar. Lā ilāha illa-llāh.
Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no God except Allah.
It’s a Sunnah to recite the following Duas:
اَللَّهُمَّ زِدْ أَهْلَ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَعْظِيماً وَتَكْرِيماً وَمَهَابَةً، وَزِدْ مَنْ شَرَّفَهُ وَكَرَّمَهُ مِمَّنْ حَجَّهُ أَوْ اعْتَمَرَهُ تَشْرِيفاً وَتَكْرِيماً وَتَعْظِيماً وَبِرّاً.
Allāhumma zid hādhā-l-Bayta tashrīfan wa ta’ẓīman wa takrīman wa mahābah, wa zid man sharrafahu wa karramahu mimman ḥajjahu awi-’tamarahu tashrīfan wa takrīman wa ta’ẓīman wa birrā.
Allah, increase this House in honour, esteem, respect and reverence. And increase those who honour and respect it—of those who perform Hajj or ‘Umrah—in honour, respect, esteem and piety.
اَللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلاَمُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، حَيِّنَا رَبَّنَا بِالسَّلاَمِ
Allāhumma Anta-s-Salāmu wa minka-s-salām, ḥayyinā Rabbanā bi-s-salām.
O Allah, You are Peace and from You is peace. Make us live, Lord, in peace.
Do Dhikr, make Dua and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ in abundance here. Make the most of this opportunity before you begin your Tawaf, especially if it’s the first time you’ve set eyes on the Kaaba.