labbayk

Labbayk is a transliteration of an Arabic phrase associated with Islamic ritual practice, most notably during the rites of Hajj and Umrah. The expression is commonly understood to mean “Here I am at Your service” or “I respond to Your call,” and it serves to announce a pilgrim’s readiness to undertake the pilgrimage and to follow God’s commands.

Etymology and meaning stem from the Arabic root L-B-Y, related to answering or responding. The form labbayka conveys “here I am at Your service to You,” with the suffix -ka addressing God. In traditional liturgy, the phrase often appears as part of longer supplications that are recited during pilgrimage.

Usage in Hajj and Umrah centers on the talbiyah, an extended invocation that pilgrims recite as they enter the state of ihram and proceed through the ritual sites. A common version is: Labbayka Allahumma labbayk; labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Inna al-hamda wal-ni’mata laka wal-mulk la sharika lak. The talbiyah is considered a Sunnah practice, expressing intention and unity of purpose with the pilgrimage; it is not universally mandatory, though it is widely emphasized in traditional guides and practice.

Variations exist in wording and length across different schools and communities, including shorter forms such as “Labbayk Allahumma labbayk.” The phrase has become a symbolic element of devotion in Islamic culture and is often referenced in sermons, devotional poetry, and religious art. See also Hajj, Umrah, and Talbiyah.