Tavaf al-Qudum

What Does Tavaf al-Qudum Mean in Detail?

Tavaf al-Qudum serves as the haci's first act of devotion upon entering the sacred city of Mekke, comparable to the greeting namaz (Tahiyyat al-Masjid) offered when entering a cami. It is specifically associated with Hac Ifrad and Hac Qiran hacilar, as Tamattu hacilar perform the Tavaf of their Umre 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 Tavaf al-Qudum, male hacilar 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 Tavaf and Tavaf of Umre, not to Tavaf al-Ifadah. After the seven circuits, the haci prays two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim and drinks Zamzam water. If a haci arrives in Mekke close to the time of Wuquf at Arafat, they may skip Tavaf al-Qudum and proceed directly.