What is Tawaf?
Tawaf (ุทูุงู) literally means "to go around" or "to circumambulate." In Islamic worship, it refers to the sacred act of walking in circles around the Holy Kaaba โ the cube-shaped house of Allah at the centre of Al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Tawaf is one of the most ancient acts of monotheistic worship on earth, tracing back to the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) ๏ทบ who, commanded by Allah, built the Kaaba alongside his son Ismail ๏ทบ. The practice was continued by every prophet who visited Makkah, and was revived in its pure form by the Prophet Muhammad ๏ทบ during the Farewell Pilgrimage of 10 AH.
Today, Tawaf is performed continuously โ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week โ by Muslims from every corner of the earth. During Hajj season, over 2 million pilgrims may simultaneously be performing Tawaf, creating one of the most extraordinary human gatherings on the planet.
๐ The Prophet ๏ทบ said: "Tawaf around the House is like prayer, except that Allah has permitted you to speak during it. Whoever speaks should only speak good." (Tirmidhi, declared Sahih by al-Albani)
Types of Tawaf
Tawaf al-Umrah
ุทูุงู ุงูุนู ุฑุฉ
Performed: During Umrah performance
This is the main Tawaf performed as a core ritual of Umrah. It is performed immediately after entering the state of Ihram and arriving at Al-Masjid al-Haram. Without this Tawaf, the Umrah is not complete.
Tawaf al-Qudum
ุทูุงู ุงููุฏูู
Performed: Upon first arrival in Makkah (Hajj only)
The "Arrival Tawaf" is performed by Hajj pilgrims as a greeting to the Sacred Mosque when they first enter Makkah. It is a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet ๏ทบ, not obligatory. Pilgrims performing Umrah do not separately perform this โ their Umrah Tawaf serves this function.
Tawaf al-Ifadah
ุทูุงู ุงูุฅูุงุถุฉ
Performed: After returning from Mina (10th Dhul Hijjah)
Also called "Tawaf al-Ziyarah", this is the most important Tawaf in Hajj. It is performed after a pilgrim returns from Mina and Muzdalifah, completes the symbolic stoning of the Jamarat, and shaves their head. It is a pillar of Hajj โ without it, Hajj is not valid.
Tawaf al-Wada
ุทูุงู ุงููุฏุงุน
Performed: Just before departing Makkah
The "Farewell Tawaf" is the final act of a Hajj pilgrim before leaving the city of Makkah. According to the majority of scholars it is obligatory (Wajib). If missed, a Fidya (expiation of sacrificing a sheep) is required. Menstruating women and those in post-natal bleeding are exempted.
Tawaf al-Nafl
ุทูุงู ุงููุงููุฉ
Performed: Anytime while in Makkah
Voluntary Tawaf can be performed at any time while in Makkah as a form of worship. Many scholars consider performing Tawaf while in the Sacred Mosque to be one of the most rewarding optional acts of worship available specifically in Makkah.
Conditions for a Valid Tawaf
๐ง Ritual Purity (Wudu)
Wudu must be maintained throughout all 7 circuits. If it breaks, leave the Tawaf area, perform Wudu, and recommence from where you left off.
๐งต Proper Awrah Coverage
Men's Ihram must cover correctly; women must be in full proper modest dress covering everything except face and hands.
๐ Kaaba on the Left
The Holy Kaaba must be on your LEFT side for the entire duration of every circuit. Walking clockwise (Kaaba on right) is invalid.
๐ข 7 Complete Circuits
Exactly 7 full circuits must be completed starting and ending at the Black Stone line. Partial circuits do not count.
๐ Inside Al-Masjid al-Haram
Tawaf must be performed within the boundaries of Al-Masjid al-Haram. The outer boundaries of the mosque are valid.
๐ถ Continuous Movement
Tawaf should be continuous without major breaks. Short pauses for prayer times or emergency are permissible โ resume from where you stopped.
Step-by-Step: How to Perform Tawaf
Enter Al-Masjid al-Haram & Make Intention (Niyyah)
Enter the Masjid with the right foot, recite Bismillah, and make the intention in your heart to perform Tawaf. For Umrah, say: "Allahumma inni uridu al-Tawafa li-baytik al-haram fa-yassirhu li wa taqabbalhu minni." There is no specific verbal formula required โ the intention of the heart is sufficient.
Enter through Bab al-Salam (Gate of Peace) or any of the 95 gates. Keep right foot first.
Proceed to the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad)
The Hajar al-Aswad is set in the eastern corner of the Kaaba. It is a dark reddish-black stone surrounded by a silver frame. The floor has a green fluorescent line extending from this corner โ this is your starting line for each circuit.
During busy periods, physically kissing or touching the Black Stone may not be possible. Pointing toward it and saying "Allahu Akbar" is perfectly valid and accepted.
Istilam: Kiss, Touch or Point to the Black Stone
If possible, face the Kaaba, raise both hands to your earlobes, say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar," then kiss the Black Stone, or touch it with your hand and kiss your hand. If unable to reach it (which is common in peak Hajj/Umrah season), simply face it, raise your right hand toward it, and say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar."
Do not push or harm fellow pilgrims to reach the Stone. Pointing is fully accepted and rewarded equally.
Begin Walking โ Keep the Kaaba on Your Left
Begin walking counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise) with the Kaaba always on your LEFT side. This is the direction in which all Tawaf must be performed โ it mirrors the natural rotation of the cosmos and is the command of Allah. Walk at a steady pace โ not so fast as to push others, not so slow as to block the circuit.
Men perform "Ramal" (a brisk, short-stepped trot) during the first 3 circuits of Tawaf al-Qudum and Tawaf al-Umrah as a Sunnah. This is not required of women.
Idtiba for Men (During Umrah/Qudum Tawaf)
Men performing Tawaf al-Umrah or Tawaf al-Qudum should practice "Idtiba" โ placing the Ihram sheet under the right armpit, leaving the right shoulder bare, while the left shoulder remains covered. This is a Sunnah practice for the entire duration of these specific Tawafs.
Idtiba applies to Tawaf only. Replace your Ihram sheet back over both shoulders when performing prayer after Tawaf.
Pass the Yemeni Corner (Al-Rukn al-Yamani)
On each circuit, when you reach the Yemeni Corner (the second-to-last corner of the Kaaba, on the south-west side), touch it with your right hand if possible and say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar." If you cannot touch it, pass by without pointing toward it โ unlike the Black Stone, pointing toward the Yemeni Corner is not prescribed.
Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, recite: "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhab an-nar" (Our Lord, grant us good in this world, good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the Fire).
Complete All 7 Circuits & Make Final Istilam
Each circuit is complete when you return to the Black Stone line. Perform Istilam (kiss, touch or point) at the start of each new circuit. After completing the 7th circuit, perform Istilam one final time at the Black Stone. Your Tawaf is now complete.
Count your circuits carefully. Many pilgrims use a small counting bead or clicker to avoid losing count. The circuits are: 1st starting at Istilam โ arriving back at Istilam = 1 complete circuit.
Pray 2 Rak'ahs Behind Maqam Ibrahim
After completing the 7 circuits, proceed to pray 2 Rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) โ the golden enclosure containing the stone upon which Prophet Ibrahim ๏ทบ stood while building the Kaaba. In the 1st Rak'ah recite Surah al-Kafirun, and in the 2nd Rak'ah recite Surah al-Ikhlas after al-Fatiha.
If Maqam Ibrahim is too crowded, these 2 Rak'ahs can be performed anywhere in Al-Masjid al-Haram โ there is no sin in doing so.
Drink from Zamzam & Proceed to Sa'i
After the 2 Rak'ahs, drink from the blessed Zamzam water available throughout the mosque in cooled dispensers. Make a sincere dua while drinking. For Umrah, you will then proceed to perform Sa'i (the walk between Safa and Marwa) to complete your Umrah.
Drink Zamzam facing the Kaaba if possible. The Prophet ๏ทบ said: "Zamzam water is for whatever purpose it is drunk for." Make a sincere intention while drinking.
Key Duas to Recite During Tawaf
There are no specific obligatory duas for each circuit of Tawaf โ you may make any sincere supplication in any language. However, the following duas are from the Sunnah and highly recommended:
At the Black Stone (start of each circuit)
ุจูุณูู ู ุงูููููู ููุงูููููู ุฃูููุจูุฑู
Bismillahi Allahu Akbar
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest
Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone
ุฑูุจููููุง ุขุชูููุง ููู ุงูุฏููููููุง ุญูุณูููุฉู ููููู ุงูุขุฎูุฑูุฉู ุญูุณูููุฉู ููููููุง ุนูุฐูุงุจู ุงููููุงุฑู
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban-nar
Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.
After completing all 7 circuits (at Maqam Ibrahim)
ููุงุชููุฎูุฐููุง ู ูู ู ููููุงู ู ุฅูุจูุฑูุงูููู ู ู ูุตููููู
Wattakhidhu min maqami Ibrahima musalla
And take the Station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer. (Quran 2:125)
Drinking Zamzam after prayer at Maqam Ibrahim
ุงููููููู ูู ุฅููููู ุฃูุณูุฃููููู ุนูููู ูุง ููุงููุนูุง ููุฑูุฒูููุง ููุงุณูุนูุง ููุดูููุงุกู ู ููู ููููู ุฏูุงุกู
Allahumma inni as'aluka ilman nafi'an wa rizqan wasi'an wa shifa'an min kulli da'
O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, vast provision, and healing from all illness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Tawaf
โ Walking inside the Hateem
The Hateem (semi-circular wall) is part of the Kaaba. Tawaf must go around the outside of it. Walking through the Hateem invalidates that circuit.
โ Walking clockwise
Tawaf must ALWAYS be counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise) with the Kaaba on the LEFT. Any clockwise circuits must be repeated.
โ Performing Tawaf without Wudu
Wudu is required. If Wudu breaks mid-Tawaf, exit, renew Wudu, and continue from where you stopped (you do not restart from the beginning).
โ Losing count of circuits
Use a clicker or prayer beads. If in doubt, count the lower number โ i.e., if unsure whether you completed 5 or 6, assume 5 and complete accordingly.
โ Pointing to the Yemeni Corner
Only the Black Stone requires pointing if you cannot reach it. The Yemeni Corner should be touched with the right hand or passed by silently โ not pointed at.
โ Praying Rak'ahs directly behind Maqam Ibrahim during peak times
If the area is packed, pray the 2 Rak'ahs anywhere in the Haram. This is fully valid and avoids causing disruption to others' Tawaf.
Tawaf FAQ
How many times do you walk around the Kaaba in Tawaf?
Tawaf consists of exactly 7 circuits (rounds) around the Kaaba, always moving in a counter-clockwise direction. Each circuit begins and ends at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) at the corner of the Kaaba. Completing fewer than 7 circuits renders the Tawaf invalid.
Where does Tawaf start and end?
Tawaf starts and ends at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), located at the eastern corner of the Kaaba. A green fluorescent line on the floor of the Tawaf area marks the starting point. Each time you pass this line, you have completed one circuit.
What are the conditions for a valid Tawaf?
The main conditions for a valid Tawaf are: (1) Being in a state of ritual purity (Wudu/Ghusl), (2) Proper Ihram attire for Tawaf al-Qudum and Tawaf al-Umrah, (3) The Kaaba must be on the left side throughout, (4) All 7 circuits must be completed without interruption for invalid reasons, and (5) Tawaf must be performed inside Al-Masjid al-Haram.
What is the difference between Tawaf al-Qudum, Tawaf al-Ifadah, and Tawaf al-Wada?
Tawaf al-Qudum (Arrival Tawaf) is performed by Hajj pilgrims upon first entering Makkah โ it is a Sunnah, not obligatory. Tawaf al-Ifadah (Tawaf of Pilgrimage) is performed after returning from Mina during Hajj โ it is the most important Tawaf and a pillar (Rukn) of Hajj. Tawaf al-Wada (Farewell Tawaf) is performed just before leaving Makkah โ it is obligatory for Hajj pilgrims according to the majority of scholars. For Umrah, the main Tawaf (Tawaf al-Umrah) is a pillar of Umrah.
Can I perform Tawaf without Wudu?
According to the majority of Islamic scholars (Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Hanbali), Wudu (ritual ablution) is a required condition for a valid Tawaf. Performing Tawaf without Wudu requires the Tawaf to be repeated. Women who are menstruating or in a state of post-natal bleeding must wait until they are ritually pure before performing Tawaf.
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