طواف al-Qudum

What Does طواف al-Qudum Mean in Detail?

طواف al-Qudum serves as the حاجی's first act of devotion upon entering the sacred city of مکہ مکرمہ, comparable to the greeting نماز (Tahiyyat al-Masjid) offered when entering a مسجد. It is specifically associated with حج Ifrad and حج Qiran حجاج, as Tamattu حجاج perform the طواف of their عمرہ 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 طواف al-Qudum, male حجاج 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 طواف and طواف of عمرہ, not to طواف al-Ifadah. After the seven circuits, the حاجی prays two rak'ahs behind مقام ابراہیم and drinks زمزم water. If a حاجی arrives in مکہ مکرمہ close to the time of Wuquf at عرفات, they may skip طواف al-Qudum and proceed directly.