Tawaf

Entering Makkah
As you reach the limits of the Haram, constantly recite the Talbiyah,recital of the following Dua is recommended upon entering the Haram:

اَللَّهُمَّ هَذَا حَرَمُكَ وَأَمْنُكَ فَحَرِّمْنِي عَلَى النَّارِ، وَأَمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِكَ يَوْمَ تَبْعَثُ عِبَادَكَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِكَ وَأَهْلِ طَاعَتِكَ.

Allāhumma hādhā ḥaramuka wa amnuka fa ḥarrimnī ‘ala-n-Nār, wa amminnī min ‘adhābika yawma tab’athu ‘ibādak, wa j‘alnī min awliyā’ika wa ahli ṭā’atik.

Allah, this is Your sanctuary and security, so make me unlawful to Hell-Fire, make me safe from Your punishment on the day You resurrect Your servants, and make me one of Your friends and one of the people who obey You.

After arriving at your accommodation in Makkah, you may want to freshen up or take a rest before making your way to Masjid al-Haram to perform Tawaf al-Umrah. If you decide to take a shower, ensure you don’t use any items that are prohibited in the state of Ihram e.g. scented soap or shampoo. It is recommended you present yourself at Masjid al-Haram as soon as possible.

For the Tawaf to be considered valid, the following is necessary: 1、To perform Tawaf yourself. 2、To make an intention (verbally or not). 3、To do Tawaf in Masjid al-Haram. 4、To be in a state of Wudhu and free of anything that requires Ghusl e.g. menstruation. 5、To conceal the Awrah. 6、To start Tawaf from Hajar al-Aswad. 7、To move in an anti-clockwise direction. 8、To avoid the Hatim (the semi-circle area outside the Kaaba). 9、To perform Tawaf by foot, for those who are able. 10、To perform seven circuits. 11、To perform two Rakahs of Salah after the Tawaf.

Ensure you’re in a state of Wudhu

1、Wash your hands.

2、 Take water into your mouth

3、Inhale water into your nose.

4、Wash your face

5、Wash your lower arms from wrists to elbows, leaving no part dry

6、Clean your head

7、Wipe your ears inside and out

8、Wash both of your feet

9、Memorize the order

10、Once you are done, recite the du’as after wudu

11、Repeat nullified wudu before praying

Starting Point： Position yourself in line with the corner of the Kaaba where the Hajar al-Aswad is situated. This corner is the one that faces a single minaret (the other three corners face two minarets). There is a green light on the wall of the Masjid opposite the Kaaba which indicates where the Tawaf starts from. This is the starting point of each Shawt (circuit). Stand just before this starting point facing the Kaaba ensuring the Hajar al-Aswad is on your right side.

Intention As with any other act of worship, make the Niyyah to perform Tawaf solely for Allah. You may also ask for acceptance and ease of your Tawaf. The following words may be said: “O Allah, I intend to perform the Tawaf of Umrah of the Kaaba for your sake and your sake alone. Please accept it from me and make it easy for me.” You may make the following intention, which is in Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ طَوَافَ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّيْ Allāhumma innī urīdu l-ṭawwafa baytika l-ḥarāmi fa yassirhu lī wa taqabbalhu minnī. O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of the Sacred Mosque, so accept it from me and make it easy for me. The Niyyah doesn’t have to be verbal.

Kissing, Touching or Saluting the Hajar al-Aswad (Istilam)

-Kissing – If you reach the Hajar al-Aswad, place your hands on it, put your face between your hands, say “bismi llāhi wallāhu akbar (ِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)” and kiss it lightly. Some scholars have said it is preferable to kiss it three times if you have the chance.
-Touching – If you’re in reaching distance but unable to kiss it, touch it with your hand(s) and kiss your hand(s).
-Saluting – If it isn’t possible to reach the stone, as is likely to be the case, perform a symbolic Istilam from afar by directly facing the Hajar al-Aswad and raising your hands up to your earlobes (as you would do when starting Salah). Ensure your palms are also facing it, as though your face and hands are on the Hajar al-Aswad and say “bismi llāhi wallāhu akbar (ِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ).” You may kiss your palms if you wish.

If you decide to attempt to kiss or touch the Hajar al-Aswad, it is important to be aware that the experience can be quite intense. Due to the large number of people gathered around it, there is often a significant amount of pushing and shoving, which can potentially lead to injuries. It is nearly impossible to reach the Hajar al-Aswad without having to force your way through people vying to reach the sacred stone.

“Start the Tawaf
Turn to your right and start the first circuit of your Tawaf, ensuring the Kaaba is on your left. Proceed in an anti-clockwise direction and avoid walking through the Hijr Ismail. If you happen to walk through it, the circuit won’t count and it will have to be repeated.”

Raml In the first three circuits, men should perform Raml, which is the practice of walking briskly, lifting the legs forcefully and sticking out the chest. However, if there is congestion, which is likely to be the case if you’re closer to the Kaaba, only perform this Sunnah if you’re sure you won’t harm or inconvenience others. During peak times, you’re unlikely to be able to perform this action.

Rukn al-Yamani Upon reaching the Rukn al-Yamani (the Yemeni Corner), the corner preceding the Hajar al-Aswad, touch it with your right hand or both hands and say “Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)” if you manage to get close enough. If there’s too much congestion, as is likely to be the case, proceed without saying Takbir or gesturing towards it. It is a Sunnah to recite the following Dua between the Rukn al-Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad: رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ Rabbanā ātinā fi d-dunyā ḥasanatan wafi l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ‘adhāba n-nār. O our Lord, grant us the good of this world, the good of the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire. Imam Shafi’i V recommended this Dua to be recited throughout the Tawaf.

End of Circuit at the Hajar al-Aswad Returning to Hajar al-Aswad marks the completion of one circuit. Begin the second by doing Istilam of Hajar al-Aswad as previously described and saying “Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)”. You should say Allāhu akbar while doing Istilam in all subsequent circuits. You will be performing Istilam eight times in total during the Tawaf; one before the start of the Tawaf and one at the end of each of the seven circuits. The Tawaf should be completed in a continuous manner with no interruptions between circuits.

“Complete the Tawaf
Proceed in the same manner until have you completed seven circuits. Performing Istilam at the start of Tawaf and at the end is a highly emphasised Sunnah and performing Istilam on the other six occasions is desirable.

If you are in a state Idtiba, cover your shoulder with your Ihram”

Salah Upon finishing the Tawaf, perform two Rakahs of Salah, preferably in a position where Maqam Ibrahim is between you and the Kaaba. However, keep in mind that since Maqam Ibrahim is situated within the Mataf, there is often nowhere for pilgrims performing Tawaf to move, except around and almost over the top of those praying just beyond Maqam Ibrahim, resulting in a great deal of congestion. If it isn’t possible to perform the prayer there as a result of crowding, it can be performed anywhere in Masjid al-Haram. While moving to the place where you intend to perform the two Rakahs, it is recommended to audibly recite the following: وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى Wattakhidhu min maqāmi Ibrāhīma muṣalla. And take the Maqam Ibrahim as a place of Salah

Zamzam After completing Salah and making Dua, drink your fill of Zamzam water which is available around the Tawaf area and from various water fountains and dispensers in Masjid al-Haram. The entrance to the old well of Zamzam has been covered to allow for more room to do Tawaf. Before drinking the Zamzam water, make an intention that its consumption will be a means of fulfilling your wishes, whether that is good health, success in this world, or protection from the tribulations of the grave. When drinking the water, it is Mustahabb to should stand and face the Kaaba, say Bismillah, pause to take a breath three times, and say Alhamdulillah after finishing. You can also rub it on your face and body. You may recite the following Dua after drinking the water: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَ رِزْقًا وَاسِعًا وَ شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ Allahumma innī as’aluka ‘ilman nāfi’an, wa rizqan wāsi’an, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan, wa shifā’an min kulli dā’. O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is beneficial, provision that is abundant and a cure from every illness. You may also make any other supplication of your choosing as it’s another station where Duas are accepted.