Tawaf is the act of circumambulating (walking around) the Holy Kaaba 7 times in a counter-clockwise direction. It is a pillar of Umrah and Hajj.
The 7 Rounds of Tawaf
Each round starts and ends at the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone) corner.
| Round # | Action | Sunnah for Men |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Walk briskly with chest out | Ramal (Brisk walking) |
| 4-7 | Walk at normal pace | Normal walking |
Important Note: Idtiba (uncovering the right shoulder) is only for men and ONLY during the Tawaf of Umrah/Arrival. Cover your shoulder immediately after finishing the 7th round.
Steps to Perform Tawaf
- Niyyah (Intention): Make intention for Tawaf at the Black Stone corner.
- Istilam: Raise your right hand towards the Black Stone and say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar".
- Start Walking: Keep the Kaaba on your left.
- Rukn al-Yamani: When reaching the Yemeni Corner (the corner before the Black Stone), it is Sunnah to touch it if possible (do not kiss it). If crowded, just walk past.
- Between Yemeni Corner & Black Stone: Recite: "Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban-nar."
- Complete 7 Rounds.
Key Rules
- Wudu (Ablution): You MUST be in a state of Wudu. If Wudu breaks, you must redo ablution and restart the round (scholars differ whether to restart round or whole Tawaf; restarting round is safer).
- Hijr Ismail (The Hatim): Do NOT walk inside the semi-circular wall. Walking inside it invalidates that round because Hijr Ismail is part of the Kaaba.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I touch the Kaaba?
During Tawaf, it is better to focus on the orbit and avoid the crush of the crowd near the walls. Touching the Kaaba is not a requirement for Tawaf validity.
What if I lose count of rounds?
Build on certainty (the lower number). If you are unsure if it’s 3 or 4, assume it is 3 and complete the rest.
Pros and Cons of Mataf (Ground Floor) vs. Roof
Mataf (Ground):
- Pros: Closer to Kaaba, spiritual feeling.
- Cons: Extremely crowded, slower movement.
Roof/Upper Floors:
- Pros: Less crowded, airy, good for wheelchairs.
- Cons: Much longer distance (circumference is larger).
