Question
I have been endowed with the blessing of living in the neighborhood of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam (the Grand Mosque in Makkah), may Allah preserve it for all the Muslims. I noticed that some of those who perform ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) raise their voices quite loud when they enter Al-Masjid Al-Haraam with Talbiyah or supplication, to the extent of distracting those who are praying or reciting the Quran. In the Quran, Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Indeed, those who lower their voices before the Messenger of Allah - they are the ones whose hearts Allah has tested for righteousness. For them is forgiveness and great reward.} [Quran 49: 3] Allah The Almighty commanded that voices should be lowered before the Messenger of Allah so is it not worthier that we lower our voices in the Sacred House of Allah? What is the Sharee‘ah ruling on such behavior?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.
It is prescribed under Sharee‘ah to raise the voice with Talbiyah at the times when it is required. In a Hadeeth, the Prophet said: "The best of the Hajj deeds is raising the voice with Talbiyah and offering sacrificial animals." [At-Tirmithi]
In another Hadeeth, the Prophet said: "Jibreel (Gabriel) came to me and ordered me to command my Companions to raise their voices with Talbiyah." [Ahmad and Al-Haakim. Al-Albaani: Saheeh (Authentic)]
Nevertheless, one should stop Talbiyah upon entering the Sacred House of Allah and start to perform Tawaaf. Raising the voice with Talbiyah during Tawaaf is not part of the Prophetic guidance. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, that he said, "He (the Prophet ) used to stop Talbiyah upon receiving the (Black) Stone during ‘Umrah." [At-Tirmithi: Saheeh (Authentic)]
An-Nawawi said, "The correct action is that the pilgrim says Talbiyah neither during Tawaaf nor during Sa‘y (walking between Mounts As-Safa and Al-Marwah) because there are certain Athkaar (mentionings of Allah) for them.”
In Sharh Muntaha Al-Iraadaat, Al-Buhooti mentioned that Talbiyah is recommended at times other than the Arrival Tawaaf as well as Sa‘y to avoid confusing those who perform Tawaaf and Sa‘y.
Ar-Rayhabaani mentioned that it is disliked to raise the voice with Talbiyah (on these two occasions).
Allah Knows best.