Tawaf al-Qudum, also known as Tawaf al-Tahiyyah (greeting tawaf), is the first tawaf a pilgrim performs upon arriving in Makkah. The majority of scholars — Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Hanbali — consider it a Sunnah mu'akkadah (emphasized recommended act), meaning it is highly recommended but not obligatory, and no penalty is due for omitting it. The Maliki school, however, considers it wajib (obligatory) and holds that a dam (sacrificing a sheep) is required for deliberately skipping it without a valid excuse.
Sheikh Ibn Baz explained that Tawaf al-Qudum applies specifically to pilgrims performing Hajj al-Ifrad (Hajj alone) or Hajj al-Qiran (combined Hajj and Umrah). Pilgrims performing Hajj al-Tamattu do not need a separate Tawaf al-Qudum because their Umrah tawaf upon arrival serves this purpose. Additionally, those who arrive in Makkah after the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (after Arafat) are exempt from Tawaf al-Qudum according to all scholars, as the time for it has passed.
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen noted that menstruating women who arrive in Makkah for Hajj and cannot perform tawaf before going to Arafat are excused from Tawaf al-Qudum without any penalty, even according to those who consider it obligatory. He emphasized that Tawaf al-Qudum, whether Sunnah or wajib, is waived for anyone with a valid excuse, and the obligation of Tawaf al-Ifadah (the essential Hajj tawaf) remains unaffected.