Describe the performance of Tawāf during Hajj.

Answer Details

Tawaf is the act of circling the Ka'bah seven times as part of the rites of Hajj (and 'Umrah). Its performance is described below.

1. Purity: The pilgrim must be in a state of ritual purity (wudu'), with the awrah covered. For men in Ihram the right shoulder is bared (idtiba') during the arrival Tawaf.
2. Starting point: Tawaf begins at the corner of the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad). The pilgrim faces it, and if possible kisses or touches it, or points towards it, saying Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.
3. Direction: The Ka'bah is kept on the pilgrim's left, and he moves round it in an anticlockwise direction.
4. Seven circuits: The pilgrim completes seven full rounds, each beginning and ending at the Black Stone.
5. Ramal: In the first three rounds of the arrival Tawaf the men walk briskly with short quick steps (ramal); they walk normally in the remaining four.
6. Supplication: Throughout the Tawaf the pilgrim engages in du'a, dhikr and recitation of the Qur'an. Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone he says: Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina 'adhaban-nar.
7. The Yemeni corner: The pilgrim touches the Yemeni corner if able, but does not kiss it.
8. After Tawaf: He offers two rak'ahs of prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim), if possible, then drinks from the well of Zamzam.

Tawaf symbolises the unity of the Muslims and the centrality of Allah, around whom the believers' lives revolve.