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| Arabic | طواف |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | tah-WAHF |
| Etymology | From the Arabic root ط-و-ف (t-w-f), meaning 'to go around, to circuit, to patrol.' The verb tafa (طاف) means 'to walk around something,' and the noun tavaf (طواف) denotes the act of circling. The same root gives us the word ta'if (طائف), meaning 'one who makes rounds' and also the name of the city of Ta'if near Mekke. The pattern fa'al (فعال) indicates an intensive or repeated action — the going around, again and again. |
Tavaf(طواف) Tavaf is the ritual act of circumambulating the Kabe seven times in a counterclockwise direction, beginning and ending at the line of the Hacer-ul Esved. It is a fundamental component of both Hac and Umre.
طواف
Tavaf is one of the most visually striking and spiritually powerful acts of Islamic worship. The haci walks around the Kabe — the cubic structure at the center of Mescid-i Haram in Mekke — seven complete times in a counterclockwise direction, keeping the Kabe to their left. Each circuit (shawt) begins and ends at the Hacer-ul Esved (Hajar al-Aswad), which hacilar attempt to kiss, touch, or point toward with their right hand while saying 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.' There are several types of tavaf, each serving a different purpose within the hac ibadeti rites. Tavaf al-Qudum (arrival tavaf) is performed upon first entering Mekke. Tavaf al-Ifadah (also called Tavaf al-Ziyarah) is the farz tavaf performed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and is a pillar (rukn) of Hac — without it, the Hac is incomplete. Tavaf al-Wida (farewell tavaf) is performed before leaving Mekke. For Umre, the tavaf is also a rukn (pillar) and must be completed for the Umre to be valid. During the first three circuits of certain tavafs, men are encouraged to practice raml — a brisk, shoulder-swaying walk — as Hz. Peygamber Muhammad (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) 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 tavaf; there are no mandatory specific duas for each circuit, though many scholars have compiled sunnet duas. After completing seven circuits, the haci prays two rak'ah behind Maqam Ibrahim (Station of Abraham) and drinks Zamzam water.
From the Arabic root ط-و-ف (t-w-f), meaning 'to go around, to circuit, to patrol.' The verb tafa (طاف) means 'to walk around something,' and the noun tavaf (طواف) denotes the act of circling. The same root gives us the word ta'if (طائف), meaning 'one who makes rounds' and also the name of the city of Ta'if near Mekke. The pattern fa'al (فعال) indicates an intensive or repeated action — the going around, again and again.