Tavaf al-Wida

What Does Tavaf al-Wida Mean in Detail?

Tavaf al-Wida serves as the haci's farewell to the House of Allah — the last spiritual embrace before departing the holiest city in Islam. Hz. Peygamber Muhammad (sallallahu aleyhi ve sellem) commanded: 'Let none of you depart until the last thing they do is tavaf of the House' (Muslim). This hadith forms the basis for the obligation. The haci performs seven circuits of the Kabe in the standard manner, prays two rak'ah behind Maqam Ibrahim, and then departs Mekke without lingering for shopping, socializing, or other non-essential activities — the tavaf should genuinely be the final act. The legal status of Tavaf al-Wida varies among the schools. The Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools classify it as wajib (farz), meaning that omitting it without a valid excuse requires a dam (compensatory sacrifice of a sheep). The Maliki school uniquely considers it a sunnet Sunnah (mustahabb) rather than wajib, meaning no penalty for omitting it. All schools agree, however, that it is not a rukn (pillar) — omitting it does not invalidate the Hac. Important exemptions exist for Tavaf al-Wida. Women who are menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding at the time of departure are excused from performing it, based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas: 'The people were commanded that the last thing they do should be tavaf of the House, except that menstruating women were given a concession' (Bukhari and Muslim). Additionally, Tavaf al-Wida is specific to Hac — it is not required after Umre, alimlerin cogunluguna gore, though some consider it sunnet. Residents of Mekke are also exempt, as they are not 'departing' the city.