طواف

The Farewell طواف is the last ritual action a حاجی performs before leaving مکہ مکرمہ. According to the Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools, it is wajib (واجب), with its omission requiring a fidyah (animal sacrifice). The Maliki school considers it sunnah mu'akkadah (emphasized sunnah). It is performed like a regular طواف — seven circuits around the کعبۃ اللہ — but without the Raml (brisk walking in the first three circuits) or Idtiba (exposing the right shoulder) that are specific to the arrival طواف. After the seven circuits, two rak'ahs are prayed behind مقام ابراہیم. The حاجی should then drink زمزم water, make final دعائیں, and leave the Haram.

The primary exemption from the Farewell طواف is for menstruating women, based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas: 'The people were ordered to make their last act the circumambulation of the House, but menstruating women were exempted' (Bukhari and Muslim). Women who begin menstruation after completing طواف al-Ifadhah but before the Farewell طواف are not required to wait until their menstruation ends — they may depart مکہ مکرمہ without the Farewell طواف and without any penalty. Women who have not yet performed طواف al-Ifadhah must wait, as that طواف is a pillar of حج that cannot be omitted.

The Farewell طواف carries deep emotional and spiritual weight. It is the حاجی's last act of worship at the House of Allah — the final circuits around the کعبۃ اللہ before returning to the world. Many حجاج weep during this طواف, overwhelmed by the realization that they may never return. The scholars recommend that the حاجی make دعا abundantly during these final circuits, asking Allah for acceptance of their حج, for steadfastness upon return, and for the opportunity to return to the holy sites. It is sunnah to leave the Haram walking backward, so that the last sight is of the کعبۃ اللہ. This farewell is not merely to a building — it is a farewell to the most concentrated spiritual experience of the حاجی's life.