الطواف al-Ifadah

What Does الطواف al-Ifadah Mean in Detail?

الطواف al-Ifadah holds a unique position among all the rites of الحج: it is one of the indispensable pillars (arkan) that cannot be compensated for by a sacrifice or any other means. If a الحاج fails to perform it, their الحج remains incomplete regardless of all other rites performed. The القرآن alludes to it: 'Then let them end their untidiness and fulfill their vows and perform الطواف of the Ancient House' (22:29). All four schools of Islamic jurisprudence agree on its واجب status as a ركن. The الطواف is performed after the الحاج descends from منى to مكة on the 10th of ذو الحجة (the Day of Sacrifice), typically after the stoning of Jamrat al-Aqabah, the sacrifice, and the الحلق or التقصير — though the exact sequence is flexible عند most schools. The الحاج performs seven circuits of the الكعبة in the standard manner, followed by two ركعة of الصلاة behind مقام إبراهيم. If the الحاج has not yet performed السعي after الطواف al-Qudum (the arrival الطواف), they must also perform السعي after الطواف al-Ifadah. Upon completing الطواف al-Ifadah (and السعي, if required), the الحاج achieves al-التحلل al-thani (the second/complete release from الإحرام), meaning all restrictions of الإحرام are now fully lifted, including marital relations — which is the one restriction that remained after the first partial release (al-التحلل al-awwal) following the stoning and الحلق. While the preferred time for this الطواف is the 10th of ذو الحجة, it may be delayed. The Hanafi school allows it until the end of the 12th without penalty; the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools permit it without any time limit, though delay without excuse is مكروه. The Maliki school states it should ideally be done during the days of sacrifice.