Tawaf is the act of circumambulating the Kaaba (seven circuits) and, like prayer (except for speaking, which is allowed), must be done in a state of Wudhu (ablution) and free of anything that requires Ghusul (e.g. menstruation). Other requirements in order for Tawaf to be valid:

1. Must be performed by the pilgrim himself

2. Must be within the Masjid Al-Haram

3. Awrah (nakedness) must be covered

4. Counter-clockwise movement starting from the Black stone (Hajar al-Aswad)

5. Avoid entering Hijr Ismail (Semi-circle area adjacent to Kaaba)

6. To be performed by foot, for those capable

 

Idtiba

Men should uncover the right shoulder by passing the upper Ihram garment under the right armpit. This is done for all seven circuits (Shawt) of Tawaf.

 

Starting point

The Pilgrim must be in line with the Hajar al-Aswad. This is the starting point of the Tawaf. A green light on the wall of the Masjid opposite the Kaaba and the brown marble line on the floor will highlight this position.  This is the starting point of each circuit, where the pilgrim must stand facing the Kaaba ensuring the Hajar al-Aswad (Black stone) is slightly to his right side.

 

Istillam

This is the Kissing, touching or saluting of the Hajar al-Aswad. 

 

Kissing

If the pilgrim is able to reach the Hajar al-Aswad, the pilgrim should touch it with his right hand and say “bismi llāhi wallāhu akbar (بسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)” then kiss it. (This will be the 1st Istillam)

 

Touching

If unable to kiss it, the pilgrim should touch the Hajar al-Aswad with the right hand and say “bismi llāhi wallāhu akbar (بسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)” and then kiss his hand.

 

Saluting

If the pilgrim is unable to reach the stone, which is the most likely scenario, the pilgrim should raise his right hand and perform a symbolic Istilam from afar and say “Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)” without kissing his hand.

 

Some scholars have added to the preceding Dhikr the following supplication, which may be recited when coming parallel to the Hajar al-Aswad in each circuit:

بسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُمَّ إِيْمَاناً بِكَ وَتَصْدِيْقاً بِكِتَابِكَ، وَوَفَاءً بِعَهْدِكَ، وَاتِّبَاعاً لِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ مُحَمَّدْ

Bismi llāhi wa llāhu akbar, Allāhumma īmānan bika wa taṣdīqan bi kitābika wa wafā’an bi ahdika wattibā’an li sunnati nabiyyika Muḥammadin ﷺ.

In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest. O Allah, out of faith in You, conviction in Your book, in fulfilment of Your covenant and in emulation of Your Prophet’s Sunnah ﷺ.

 

Start

The pilgrim should start the first circuit of the Tawaf, making sure the Kaaba is on the Pilgrim’s left proceeding in a counterclockwise direction while avoiding walking through Hijr Ismail because such a circuit will not count.

 

Raml

Men should perform Raml (brisk walking) only during the first three circuits of Tawaf if performing this Sunnah will not harm or inconvenience others (i.e. when Haram is congested with Pilgrims).

 

Dhikr & Dua (Remembrance & supplications) during Tawaf

During Tawaf, the pilgrim may recite Quran, do Dhikr, make any Dua and send Salawat on the Prophet (PBUH) since there is no specific Dhikr or Dua designated specifically for Tawaf, except for the Dua between the Rukn Al-Yamani & the Hajar Al-Aswad mentioned below.

 

The Rukn Al-Yamani

Upon reaching the Rukn Al-Yamani (the Yemeni Corner), which is the corner that precedes the Hajar Al-Aswad, the pilgrim should touch it with his right hand and say “Allāhu akbar (اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)”. If however there’s too much congestion, which is the likely scenario, the pilgrim should proceed without saying Takbir or gesturing towards it. 

 

Between the Rukn al-Yamani and the Hajar al-Aswad, it is Sunnah to recite the following Dua

 

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbanā ātinā fi d-dunyā ḥasanatan wafi l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ‘adhāba n-nār.

 

O our Lord, grant us the good of this world, the good of the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the fire.
[Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:201]

 

End of each circuit

Returning to the Hajar al-Aswad marks one circuit. The pilgrim should start the second circuit by making Istillam (2nd Istillam) of the Hajar al-Aswad and saying Allāhu akbar as was described earlier and so on until the completion of the seven circuits of Tawaf. During Tawaf, the pilgrim will be performing Istillam eight times in total: One before the start of the Tawaf and one at the end of each of the seven circuits.

 

End of Tawaf

The seven Tawaf circuits should be completed consecutively and continuously without interruption except for a congregational prayer, where the pilgrim must join in or the need to redo ablution (Wudho). In such cases, the pilgrim can resume Tawaf from the position where he left off. No circuit needs to be repeated.

 

Stop Idtiba

Once Tawaf has been completed, pilgrims who are in a state of idtiba (men), should re-cover their shoulders with their Ihram.

 

Tawaf Prayer

After Tawaf, the pilgrim is recommended to perform two Rakahs of Salah, preferably behind Maqam Ibrahim. If this is not possible, anywhere in the Masjid is fine; Reciting Surah al-Kafirun (Surah 109) in the first Rakah and Surah al-Ikhlas (Surah 112) in the second after al-Fatiha.

 

While moving to the place where the pilgrim intends to pray these two Rakahs, it is recommended to recite the following Quranic verse:

 

وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى

Wattakhidhu min maqāmi Ibrāhīma muṣalla.

 

And take the Maqam Ibrahim as a place of Salah.
[Surah al-Baqarah, 2:125]

 

Zamzam

Upon completion of Tawaf Salah, and in preparation for the coming 3 km+ Sa’i walk, it’s a good time to take a drink of Zamzam water, which is available all around the Masjid al-Haram. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The water of Zamzam is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, 3062]

 

Before drinking the Zamzam water, the pilgrim should make an intention that its consumption will be a means of fulfilling his/her wishes, whether that is good health, success in this world, or protection from the tribulations of the grave. 

 

Ibn Abbas’ Dua might also be recited after drinking the water:

 

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَ رِزْقًا وَاسِعًا وَ شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ

Allahumma innī as’aluka ‘ilman nāfi’an, wa rizqan wāsi’an, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan, wa shifā’an min kulli dā’.

 

O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is beneficial, provision that is abundant and a cure from every illness.

 

The pilgrim may also make any other supplication of his choice since it’s another station where Duas are accepted in sha’ Allah.

 

Multazam

If possible, go to the area between the Hajar al-Aswad and Kaaba door (Multazam). Cling to the wall and make Dua. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and yet another station where supplications are accepted. If it’s inaccessible, face it and make Dua.

 

Final Istilam of Hajar al-Aswad

Before Sa’i, it is recommended for the pilgrim to go to the Hajar al-Aswad for another Istilam (9th time), if possible.

 

Sa’i of Safa and Marwah

Prophet Ismail’s mother Hajar was the first to walk between the Safa and Marwah hills in search of water for her and for her son Ismail (A.S.). A search (sa’i) that eventually led her to find the water of Zamzam. Later on, the religion of Islam incorporated this original Sa’i by Hajar to become among the Rites (Manasik) of Hajj & Umrah.

 

In order for Sa’i to be complete, the following requirements apply

1. Must be performed by the pilgrim himself

2. Pilgrim must be in a state of Ihram

3. Pilgrim must remain in a state of Ihram until its completion

4. It must be performed after Tawaf

5. It must begin at Safa and end at Marwa

6. For those capable, it must be done on foot.

7. A total of seven complete laps must be performed by the Pilgrim

 

Proceed to Safa

After the final Istillam of Hajar al-Aswad (9th Istillam), the pilgrim should proceed to the hill of Safa, which is located in line with the Hajar al-Aswad and which has signs indicating its location. As the pilgrim approaches the Safa hill, it is Sunnah to recite the following verse:

 

إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ

Inna ṣ-ṣafā wa l-marwata min sha’ā’iri llāh(i).

 

Indeed, Safa and Marwa are from the Signs of Allah.
[Surah al-Baqarah, 2:158]

 

Then

 

أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللهُ بِهِ

Abda’u bimā bad’allahu bihi.

 

I begin with that which Allah has begun with.
 

Dua at Safa

Upon reaching the Safa hill, the pilgrim should face the direction of Kaaba and raise hands in supplication. 

 

It is Sunnah to recite the following Dua

اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, wa lillāhi l-ḥamd.

 

Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest; Allah is the greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.

 

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Lā ilāha illallāh waḥdahu lā sharīka lah(u), lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamdu yuḥyī wa yumīt(u), wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.

 

There is no deity except Allah, alone without a partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and death and He has power over everything.

 

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اَللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، اَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ اَلْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ

Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdah(u), anjaza wa’dahu wa naṣara ‘abdahu wa hazama l-aḥzāba waḥdah.

 

There is no deity except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His slave and defeated the confederates alone.

 

After reciting this Dua, the pilgrim may recite his own supplications. The Dua should be read a total of three times, making his own supplications in between each time, as was the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

 

Proceed to Marwah

The pilgrim should now make his way to Marwa. Between Safa and Marwa, the pilgrim will encounter two sets of green fluorescent lights approximately 50 meters apart, which indicate the distance that Hajar ran in order to get to higher ground. These two markers are known as Milayn al-Akhdharayn (the two green mileposts). Between these two lights, it is Sunnah for men to jog at a medium pace while women should continue walking normally.

 

Remembrance and Supplication (Dhikr & Dua)

There is no fixed Dhikr or Dua that has been prescribed to be read during Sa’i, so the pilgrim may recite any prayers or supplications of their choice and send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.

 

Dua at Marwah

Upon reaching the hill of Marwa, the pilgrim again needs to face the direction of Kaaba and repeat the same supplication recited at Safa.

 

This completes one lap of Sa’i. Returning back to Safa is considered a second lap.

 

End of Sa’i

The pilgrim needs to repeat this procedure until seven laps have been completed, which will naturally end at the hill of Marwa.

 

Note: Out of the four schools of thought, only the Hanafi recommends praying two Rakahs following the Sa’i in Masjid al-Haram.

 

Notes:

Unlike Tawaf, Tahara is not a condition for the completeness of Sa’i.  However, since the Mas’a is within the Haram, Tahara is preferable.

 

Like Tawaf, in the case of interruption in Sa’i because of a congregational prayer, the pilgrim simply resumes Sa’i from where it was left off.