A man performed ‘Umrah two months ago, and after entering the state of ihram and chanting the talbiyyah, he made supplication, asking Allah Almighty for the good of this world and the Hereafter. What is the ruling on making supplication after the talbiyyah in Hajj and ‘Umrah, and is there reward for doing so under Islamic law?

The talbiyyah (a declaration recited by pilgrims in Hajj or ‘Umrah to express the Oneness of Allah and submission to Him) is legislated in the form narrated in the hadith of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the talbiyyah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was: “Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika Laka labbayk, inna al-ḥamda wa al-ni‘mata Laka wa al-mulk, la sharika Lak,” meaning: Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am; You have no partner. Verily, all praise, blessing, and sovereignty belong to You; You have no partner (reported by al-Bukhari).

 

Supplicating Allah after the talbiyyah in ihram for Hajj or ‘Umrah

The majority of jurists from the Hanafi, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali schools hold that it is recommended for one in the state of ihram for Hajj or ‘Umrah to supplicate Allah after the talbiyyah, asking Him for whatever good one wishes of this world and the Hereafter.[1] The best supplication is that which is reported in the hadith of Khuzayma ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him), who said, “When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) finished his talbiyah, he would ask Allah Almighty for His forgiveness and pleasure, and seek refuge in Him from the Fire”
(recorded by at-Tabarani in Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir). Imam ‘Alaa` al-Din al-Mardawi, the Hanbali scholar, noted in Al-Insaf (3:453), “It is recommended, without disagreement, to make supplication after the talbiyah.”

 

The ruling

It is recommended for one in the state of ihram for Hajj or ‘Umrah to supplicate Allah after the talbiyyah, asking Him for whatever one wishes of the good of this world and the Hereafter. As for what the man mentioned in the question did—supplicating Allah after the talbiyyah in ‘Umrah in the manner he preferred—it is an act for which he is rewarded according to Islamic law.

And Allah Almighty knows best.