Tawaf al-Ifadah (also called Tawaf al-Ziyarah) is a rukun (pillar) of Haji — it is absolutely wajib and Haji is invalid without it. It is performed after the stoning, sacrifice, and shaving/trimming on the 10th of Dzulhijjah. The method is 7 circuits around the Kabah starting from the Hajar Aswad. There is NO raml or idtiba in this tawaf. After this tawaf, all ihram restrictions are fully lifted.
Tawaf al-Ifadah should ideally be performed on the 10th of Dzulhijjah after: stoning Jamarat al-Aqaba, offering the sacrifice (hadyu), and shaving (mencukur habis) or trimming (memotong rambut) the hair. This sequence is the sunnah order, though scholars differ on whether the order is wajib.
Travel from Mina to Masjidil Haram in Mekkah. This journey takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic. You are no longer in ihram (or in partial ihram), so regular clothing is worn. Plan your timing to avoid peak congestion.
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Hajj.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
Begin at the Hajar Aswad corner. Face it, point with your right hand if you cannot touch it, and say 'Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.' Begin walking counterclockwise with the Kabah on your left. Unlike Tawaf al-Qudum, there is NO raml and NO idtiba in this tawaf — walk at a normal pace throughout all seven circuits.
Complete all seven circuits around the Kabah, making sincere doa, dhikr, and Al-Quran recitation as you walk. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Hajar Aswad, recite: 'Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah waqina adhab al-nar.' Keep count carefully.
After completing seven circuits, pray two rakaat behind Maqam Ibrahim or anywhere in the masjid if the area is crowded. Recite Surah al-Kafirun in the first rak'ah and Surah al-Ikhlas in the second. Then drink Zamzam water with doa.
After Tawaf al-Ifadah, perform sa'i between Safa and Marwa if you have not already done so. For Haji Tamattu jamaah haji, this sa'i is mandatory and separate from the Umrah sa'i. For Haji Ifrad and Qiran jamaah haji who performed sa'i after Tawaf al-Qudum, they do not need to repeat it. After completing this tawaf and sa'i, all ihram restrictions are fully lifted.