طواف

What Does طواف Mean in Detail?

طواف is one of the most visually striking and spiritually powerful acts of Islamic worship. The حاجی walks around the کعبۃ اللہ — the cubic structure at the center of مسجد الحرام in مکہ مکرمہ — seven complete times in a counterclockwise direction, keeping the کعبۃ اللہ to their left. Each circuit (shawt) begins and ends at the حجر اسود (Hajar al-Aswad), which حجاج attempt to kiss, touch, or point toward with their right hand while saying 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.' There are several types of طواف, each serving a different purpose within the حج rites. طواف al-Qudum (arrival طواف) is performed upon first entering مکہ مکرمہ. طواف al-Ifadah (also called طواف al-Ziyarah) is the واجب طواف performed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and is a pillar (rukn) of حج — without it, the حج is incomplete. طواف al-Wida (farewell طواف) is performed before leaving مکہ مکرمہ. For عمرہ, the طواف is also a rukn (pillar) and must be completed for the عمرہ to be valid. During the first three circuits of certain طوافs, men are encouraged to practice raml — a brisk, shoulder-swaying walk — as نبی کریم Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) did. Men also practice idtiba, where the right shoulder is exposed by placing the احرام garment under the right arm. Pilgrims may recite any دعا or dhikr during طواف; there are no mandatory specific دعائیں for each circuit, though many scholars have compiled مستحب دعائیں. After completing seven circuits, the حاجی prays two rak'ah behind مقام ابراہیم (Station of Abraham) and drinks زمزم water.