Performing الطواف on the upper floors of المسجد الحرام is valid عند the majority of contemporary scholars, including ابن باز and ابن عثيمين, provided the الحاج circumambulates around the الكعبة even if at a higher elevation. The condition is that the الطواف path must be outside and around the الكعبة's perimeter. الطواف on the ground level closer to the الكعبة is more virtuous but not واجب.
Performing الطواف on the upper floors and rooftop of المسجد الحرام is valid عند the majority of contemporary scholars. الشيخ ابن باز ruled that الطواف on any level of the مسجد is valid as long as the الحاج is circumambulating around the الكعبة, even if they are at a higher elevation than the الكعبة itself. He noted that the الكعبة extends upward conceptually — the airspace above the الكعبة is also considered part of its sacred area — and therefore الطواف at a higher level remains around the الكعبة.
الشيخ ابن عثيمين held a slightly more nuanced view: he considered الطواف on the upper floors valid when the ground floor is too crowded, but he noted that being closer to the الكعبة is more virtuous (afdal) and that the ground level is preferable when accessible. He stated that الطواف on the upper floors satisfies the requirement of circumambulating the الكعبة and is especially appropriate for the elderly, those in wheelchairs, and during extremely crowded times.
The اللجنة الدائمة confirmed the validity of الطواف on all levels of المسجد الحرام, noting that the expansion of the مسجد and the addition of multiple floors were specifically designed to accommodate the growing number of الحجاج. The key condition that scholars stipulate is that the الحاج must be circling around the الكعبة — if the upper floor extends beyond the الكعبة's vertical projection, some scholars debated whether the outermost path is valid, but the prevailing contemporary view is that it remains valid as the الحاج is still circumambulating the Sacred House.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed الطواف around the الكعبة while riding his camel, touching the الحجر الأسود with his stick, so that the people could see him, observe his position, and ask him questions.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed الطواف around the الكعبة while riding his camel, touching the الحجر الأسود with his stick, so that the people could see him, observe his position, and ask him questions.
Scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence offer varying perspectives on this matter.
الطواف on upper floors is valid. The Hanafi school considers the airspace above the الكعبة as part of the الكعبة for purposes of الطواف. الطواف at ground level is preferred but not required.
Hanafi scholars extended the الكعبة's sanctity to include the space above it, validating الطواف at higher elevations.
The Maliki school validates الطواف on upper floors. Classical Maliki scholars discussed الطواف performed at elevated positions and considered it valid as long as the الحاج circles the الكعبة.
Al-Mudawwanah: الطواف is valid when circling the الكعبة from any position around it.
The Shafi'i school considers الطواف valid on upper floors. Some Shafi'i scholars debated whether الطواف above the height of the الكعبة's walls is valid, but the prevailing position permits it.
Al-Majmu' by al-Nawawi discusses the validity of الطواف at elevated positions, with the majority permitting it.
The Hanbali school validates الطواف on upper floors. ابن قدامة discussed الطواف at elevated positions and considered it valid. Contemporary Hanbali scholars like ابن باز explicitly confirmed this.
Al-Mughni by ابن قدامة: الطواف is valid from any elevation as long as one is circumambulating the الكعبة.
This is a scholarly summary, not a personal fatwa. Consult your scholar for personal rulings.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed الطواف around the الكعبة while riding his camel, touching the الحجر الأسود with his stick, so that the people could see him, observe his position, and ask him questions.
Sahih Muslim #1273 (sahih)