Haj is an act of worship. It is also one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The fact that a Muslim is required to perform Haj only once in his lifetime imparts certain unique qualities to it. During the few days that Haj lasts, the pilgrim is required to immerse himself totally in this unique experience. He discards his usual clothes and changes into a shroud-like attire, gives up all pleasures and temptations of everyday life and, along with millions of similar minded and attired Muslims from all over the world, devotes every waking minute to the remembrance of Allah. He lives in tents and under the sky, is subject to physical hardship and emotional stress, and sacrifices of himself and whatever he possesses-all in the path of Allah. He expects that his sins will be forgiven, and believes that he will be transformed by this great experience into a better human being. This spiritual and religious event in Islam has absolutely no parallel in human history.
Haj is also unique in that it has no prescribed prayers and supplications. The pilgrim may pray in a fashion and language of his choosing. Books on Haj, however, do recommend some prayers, many of which have their origin in books of Ahadith. The reader is advised to consult these books if he so desires. The intent of this text is to present a few of the prayers commonly recited by the pilgrims during Haj. The seven prayers of Tawaf are specially recommended.
Talbiyah
" Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service, and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners. "