Question:
What is the meaning of talbiah?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Allah SWT sanctioned those who are performing hajj to start this journey of faith with a sincere heart which is within the talbiah.
This eminence of Islam portrays the circumstances of sincere Muslims who are on the journey of hajj with determination. The explanation of the meaning of talbiah are as the following:
Meaning of Talbiah
Al-Qadhi said: “Al-Mazini said: The word ‘talbiah’ is in tathniah (dual form) serves as plural in the context of meaning (لَبَّا – لَبَّيانِ). It is also described as a form of mubalaghah (overstatement).”
Meaning: “I’m answering the call and committed in my obedience. It is in tathniah (dual form) for the purpose of taukid (strengthening), not just in its essence.”
Yunus bin Habib al-Misri said: لَبَّيْكَ is a singular noun, not Muthanna (dual). He said: The letter alif is changed to ya’ for it is connected to dhamir which is لَدَى.
According to madhhab Sibawaih, it is muthanna due to its change to become ya’, which is a clear proof since most scholars agree with Sibawaih.
Ibn al-Anbari said: They state لَبَّيْكَ is Muthanna the same for حَنَانيكَ and تَحَنُّنًا بَعْدَ تَحَنُّنٍ.
The origin of لَبَّيْكَ is لَبَّتُكَ. There are three ba’s combined. Thus, the third ba’ is changed into ya’, like the word اَلظَّنْ – تَظَنَّيْتُكَ. The original word is تَظَنَّنْتُ.
They have differing opinions regarding the meaning of لَبَّيْكَ and its isytiqaq (derivation), among their opinions are:
- The goal and intention is for Allah SWT
- Love and devotion
- Sincerely only for the sake of Allah SWT
- I stand and close in the obedience towards You. Ibn al-Anbari said: “I’m coming towards you and obeying You.”
- Abu Nasr said: “I’m answering the call before You or bowing.”