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Key points
- Tawaf is walking seven rounds around the Kaaba, keeping it on your left, starting and ending at the Black Stone line.
- Be in wudu. The Prophet ﷺ said that tawaf is like prayer, except that you may speak during it.
- In the tawaf of Umrah, men keep the right shoulder uncovered (idtiba) and walk a little briskly in the first three rounds (raml).
- After the seventh round, pray two rak’ahs, ideally behind Maqam Ibrahim, then drink Zamzam.
What tawaf is
Tawaf means going around the Kaaba in worship. Allah says in the Qur’an, “Let them go around the Ancient House” (22:29). It is the first thing a pilgrim does on reaching Masjid al-Haram for Umrah, and pilgrims keep returning to it for nafl tawaf all through their stay.
There is no other place in the world where this act is done. Walking with thousands of others, all facing the same House and saying the same words, is a moment most pilgrims never forget.
Illustrative imageThe kinds of tawaf
- Tawaf of Umrah: a pillar of Umrah, done in ihram on arrival, followed by sa’i
- Tawaf al-Qudum (arrival): a sunnah for pilgrims doing Hajj Ifrad or Qiran when they first reach Makkah
- Tawaf al-Ifadah (Tawaf-e-Ziyarat): a pillar of Hajj, done from 10 Dhul Hijjah after Arafat
- Tawaf al-Wada (farewell): the last act before leaving Makkah after Hajj. Women on their period are excused from it (Bukhari 1755)
- Nafl tawaf: any time, as many times as you like, without ihram
Before you start
- Make wudu. If it breaks during tawaf, go and renew it. Many scholars say you can then continue from the round where you stopped; ask your group guide
- Men in ihram: put the upper sheet under the right arm and over the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder bare (idtiba). This is only for the tawaf that has a sa’i after it, and the shoulder is covered again for the two rak’ahs
- Stop the talbiyah when you begin the tawaf of Umrah
- Agree on a meeting point, such as a numbered gate, in case anyone gets separated
- Women who are on their period do not do tawaf until they are clean, but can do all the other acts (Bukhari 305)
Tawaf, step by step
- 1
Step 1
Find the Black Stone line
Tawaf starts in line with the Black Stone corner of the Kaaba. A green light on the wall of the mosque marks the line.
- 2
Step 2
Face the Black Stone and begin
Make the intention in your heart, raise your right hand towards the Black Stone and say “Bismillah, Allahu akbar”. Touching or kissing it is a sunnah only if it is easy; do not push anyone.
- 3
Step 3
Walk with the Kaaba on your left
Walk anticlockwise, outside the low curved wall of the Hateem, because the Hateem is part of the Kaaba.
- 4
Step 4
Raml in the first three rounds
In the tawaf of Umrah, men walk a little briskly with short steps in the first three rounds, if the crowd allows (Bukhari 1603). Women walk normally all the way.
- 5
Step 5
Du’a as you go
There is no fixed du’a for each round. Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, many pilgrims read “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah…”.
- 6
Step 6
Count to seven
Each time you reach the Black Stone line, one round is done. Raise your hand and say Allahu akbar again. After seven rounds, tawaf is complete.
- 7
Step 7
Two rak’ahs and Zamzam
Cover the right shoulder, pray two rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim if there is space, or anywhere in the mosque (2:125), then drink Zamzam.
Counting, crowds and floors
- Lost count? Go with the number you are sure of. If you are unsure between three and four, count three and carry on
- The ground floor around the Kaaba (the mataf) is for pilgrims in ihram at busy times. The upper floors and the roof are open to everyone but each round there is much longer
- The quietest times are often late at night and after the sun has risen. Right after the five prayers it is very crowded
- Keep a steady pace with the flow. Do not stop suddenly to take photos, and keep children and elderly parents on the inside of your group
Tawaf for elderly parents
Tawaf in a wheelchair is valid. Wheelchairs and electric carts are available at Masjid al-Haram, with official pushers, and the carts run on an upper level. Ask at the service counters and agree on the cost first.
Choose a quieter time, carry water, and rest between tawaf and sa’i if needed. Our group guides help families plan this for parents who cannot walk far.
Questions
Seven, going anticlockwise with the Kaaba on your left, starting and ending at the Black Stone line.
Related on our site
Official guidance
- Qur’an 22:29: let them go around the Ancient House
- Qur’an 2:125: take the Maqam of Ibrahim as a place of prayer
- Jami at-Tirmidhi 960: tawaf is like prayer, except that you may speak
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1603: raml in the first three rounds
- Sunan Abi Dawud 1883: the upper sheet under the right arm in tawaf
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1755: the farewell tawaf
- Sahih al-Bukhari 305: do everything a pilgrim does except tawaf
This guide is general travel information. For religious rulings, please ask a qualified scholar.
