Tawaf

What Does Tawaf Mean in Detail?

Tawaf is one of the most visually striking and spiritually powerful acts of Islamic worship. The pilgrim walks around the Kaaba — the cubic structure at the center of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah — seven complete times in a counterclockwise direction, keeping the Kaaba to their left. Each circuit (shawt) begins and ends at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), which pilgrims attempt to kiss, touch, or point toward with their right hand while saying 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.' There are several types of tawaf, each serving a different purpose within the pilgrimage rites. Tawaf al-Qudum (arrival tawaf) is performed upon first entering Makkah. Tawaf al-Ifadah (also called Tawaf al-Ziyarah) is the obligatory tawaf performed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and is a pillar (rukn) of Hajj — without it, the Hajj is incomplete. Tawaf al-Wida (farewell tawaf) is performed before leaving Makkah. For Umrah, the tawaf is also a rukn (pillar) and must be completed for the Umrah to be valid. During the first three circuits of certain tawafs, men are encouraged to practice raml — a brisk, shoulder-swaying walk — as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did. Men also practice idtiba, where the right shoulder is exposed by placing the ihram garment under the right arm. Pilgrims may recite any dua or dhikr during tawaf; there are no mandatory specific supplications for each circuit, though many scholars have compiled recommended duas. After completing seven circuits, the pilgrim prays two rak'ah behind Maqam Ibrahim (Station of Abraham) and drinks Zamzam water.