Tawaf al-Qudum

What Does Tawaf al-Qudum Mean in Detail?

Tawaf al-Qudum serves as the pilgrim's first act of devotion upon entering the sacred city of Makkah, comparable to the greeting prayer (Tahiyyat al-Masjid) offered when entering a mosque. It is specifically associated with Hajj Ifrad and Hajj Qiran pilgrims, as Tamattu pilgrims perform the Tawaf of their Umrah upon arrival instead. The Shafi'i school considers it a Sunnah, the Maliki school considers it Wajib for those entering from outside the Miqat boundaries, and the Hanafi and Hanbali schools consider it Sunnah. During Tawaf al-Qudum, male pilgrims practice two additional Sunnahs: Raml (walking briskly with short steps) during the first three circuits, and Idtiba (exposing the right shoulder). These practices are specific to this Tawaf and Tawaf of Umrah, not to Tawaf al-Ifadah. After the seven circuits, the pilgrim prays two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim and drinks Zamzam water. If a pilgrim arrives in Makkah close to the time of Wuquf at Arafat, they may skip Tawaf al-Qudum and proceed directly.