Tavaf al-Ifadah (also called Tavaf al-Ziyarah) is a rukn (pillar) of Hac — it is absolutely farz and Hac is invalid without it. It is performed after the stoning, sacrifice, and shaving/trimming on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. The method is 7 circuits around the Kabe starting from the Hacer-ul Esved. There is NO raml or idtiba in this tavaf. After this tavaf, all ihram restrictions are fully lifted.
Tavaf al-Ifadah should ideally be performed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah after: stoning Cemerat al-Aqaba, offering the sacrifice (hady), and shaving (halq) or trimming (taqsir) the hair. This sequence is the sunnah order, though scholars differ on whether the order is farz.
Travel from Mina to Mescid-i Haram in Mekke. 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 Hacer-ul Esved corner. Face it, point with your right hand if you cannot touch it, and say 'Bismillah, Allahu Akbar.' Begin walking counterclockwise with the Kabe on your left. Unlike Tavaf al-Qudum, there is NO raml and NO idtiba in this tavaf — walk at a normal pace throughout all seven circuits.
Complete all seven circuits around the Kabe, making sincere dua, dhikr, and Kur'an recitation as you walk. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Hacer-ul Esved, recite: 'Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah waqina adhab al-nar.' Keep count carefully.
After completing seven circuits, pray two rak'at behind Maqam Ibrahim or anywhere in the cami 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 dua.
After Tavaf al-Ifadah, perform Say between Safa and Marwa if you have not already done so. For Hac Tamattu hacilar, this Say is mandatory and separate from the Umre Say. For Hac Ifrad and Qiran hacilar who performed Say after Tavaf al-Qudum, they do not need to repeat it. After completing this tavaf and Say, all ihram restrictions are fully lifted.