Tawaf: Circling the Kaaba

What Is Tawaf?

Tawaf is the ritual of circumambulating the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction — with the Kaaba on one's left — performed in the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. It is one of the central rites of both Hajj and Umrah and one of the most physically visible acts of Islamic worship. The word tawaf comes from the Arabic root meaning to go around. Allah (SWT) says: "And let them perform tawaf around the Ancient House" (22:29). It is a direct fulfillment of a divine command, traced back to the time of Ibrahim (AS).

Types of Tawaf

Scholars distinguish several types of tawaf based on their context and ruling. Tawaf al-Qudum (tawaf of arrival) is performed upon first entering the Haram and is Sunnah for those performing Hajj al-Qiran and Hajj al-Ifrad. Tawaf al-Ifadah (also called Tawaf al-Ziyarah) is the obligatory tawaf of Hajj, performed after returning from Mina, and is one of the three pillars (rukns) of Hajj without which it is not valid. Tawaf al-Wada' (tawaf of farewell) is the final tawaf before leaving Makkah and is wajib according to the Hanafi and Hanbali schools. Tawaf al-Umrah is the tawaf performed as part of Umrah. Any additional tawaf outside these contexts is counted as voluntary (nafl) worship.

Conditions for Tawaf

All four schools agree on several conditions for a valid tawaf: ritual purity (taharah) — the tawaf must be performed in a state of wudu, and a person in a state of janabah or menstruation may not perform it; covering the awrah; performing seven complete circuits; making each circuit from the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) to the Black Stone; keeping the Kaaba on the left; and performing the tawaf within the boundaries of the Masjid al-Haram (not in the Hijr Isma'il area, which is part of the Kaaba structure). The Hanafi school does not require the niyyah to be verbally stated, though it is recommended.

Starting Point and the Black Stone

Each circuit begins and ends at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), which is set in the eastern corner of the Kaaba. If possible, the pilgrim kisses it at the beginning of each circuit. If kissing is not possible due to crowds, pointing to it from a distance is acceptable. Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said about the Black Stone: "By Allah, Allah will raise it on the Day of Resurrection with two eyes by which it sees and a tongue by which it speaks, testifying in favor of those who touched it with sincerity" (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah). Touching or kissing the stone is Sunnah, not obligatory.

Raml and Idtiba'

Two specific actions are Sunnah during the tawaf of arrival (tawaf al-qudum). Raml refers to walking briskly with short steps in the first three of the seven circuits — a practice initiated by the Prophet (PBUH) to show the polytheists that the Muslims were physically strong despite arriving after a long journey. Idtiba' refers to placing the ihram cloth under the right armpit and over the left shoulder, exposing the right shoulder throughout the tawaf. Both raml and idtiba' are only for men and only during the tawaf al-qudum, not during any other tawaf.

Supplication During Tawaf

There is no specific obligatory supplication for each circuit. The pilgrim may make any du'a in any language. The Prophet (PBUH) was seen making supplication during tawaf, including between the Yemeni Corner (al-Rukn al-Yamani) and the Black Stone where he recited: "Rabbana atina fi al-dunya hasanah wa fi al-akhirah hasanah wa qina adhab al-nar" (Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire — 2:201). Dhikr, Quran recitation, and any sincere du'a are all appropriate throughout.

Completing the Tawaf

After completing the seven circuits, the pilgrim prays two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if possible. The Quran commands: "And take the station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer" (2:125). If the area near Maqam Ibrahim is too crowded, the two rak'ahs may be prayed anywhere in the Masjid al-Haram. The pilgrim then proceeds to drink from the well of Zamzam and then begins the sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwah) for Umrah or as part of Hajj rites.