Tawaf of the Kaaba

Before you begin

Be in wudu, as it is necessary for tawaf. Enter Masjid al-Haram with the right foot and the dua for entering the masjid. When the Kaaba comes into view, stop and make dua, for this is a moment the scholars counted among the times dua is answered. Keep reciting the talbiyah on the way to the masjid and stop when you begin the tawaf. It is sunnah to bathe before entering Makkah and to enter the masjid by Bab al-Salam if you can. Keep your gaze lowered until you reach the mataf, the open area around the Kaaba, and then lift it to the Kaaba with humility.

Brothers uncover the right shoulder by passing the upper sheet under the right arm and over the left shoulder. This is called idtiba, and it is kept for the whole of a tawaf that is followed by Sa'i, as the tawaf of Umrah is.

Starting at the Black Stone

A green light on the wall of the masjid marks the line of the Black Stone. Stand facing the Black Stone on that line, with the Kaaba ahead of you, and make the intention for the tawaf of Umrah. Raise your hands to your ears as you would at the start of salah and say Bismillah, Allahu akbar. If you can reach the Black Stone without pushing anyone, kiss it. Otherwise point your palms towards it and kiss them. This is called istilam. Then turn so the Kaaba is on your left and begin.

The seven circuits

In the first three circuits brothers walk with raml, short brisk steps with the shoulders moving, where the crowd allows it. The last four are walked at an ordinary pace, and sisters walk normally throughout. Keep the semicircular wall of the Hatim on your left as well, because it is part of the House, and walking through it spoils that circuit.

When you reach the Yamani corner, the corner before the Black Stone, touch it with both hands or the right hand if you can. You may also kiss it, but do not turn your whole body towards it, as that is against the adab of tawaf. As you pass you may say, O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and safety in this world and the next. Between the Yamani corner and the Black Stone recite Rabbana atina. In the rest of the circuit there is no fixed dua, so ask Allah in your own words, recite Qur'an or make dhikr. Each time you come back to the Black Stone line, face it, say Bismillah, Allahu akbar and make istilam, and that completes a circuit.

When you pass the Mizab al-Rahmah, the golden waterspout, it is sunnah to say, O Allah, make me content with what You have given me, bless me in it and be my deputy for everyone of mine who is away from me. Glorifying Allah, praising Him, saying that there is no god but Allah and that Allah is the Greatest are among the most common words of tawaf. Apart from these, no other fixed duas are reported from the Prophet ﷺ, so ask Allah in your own words and in any language.

Try to complete the tawaf without a break. If the adhan is called, stop and join the congregation, then continue from the exact place where you stopped without restarting the circuit. The same applies if you need to renew your wudu.

After the seventh circuit

Cover your right shoulder. Pray two rak'ahs of tawaf, which are necessary, behind Maqam Ibrahim if there is room, reciting Surah al-Kafirun and Surah al-Ikhlas. If it is crowded, pray anywhere else in the masjid. Drink Zamzam standing and facing the Kaaba, and make dua while you drink, for this is a place where dua is accepted. The well is no longer open to pilgrims, so drink from the fountains and containers around the mataf and in the masjid. Then, if it is not crowded, stand at the Multazam, the wall between the Black Stone and the door, press your chest and cheek against it and make dua there. Return to the Black Stone for one more istilam, and then go to Safa for Sa'i.

Mistakes to avoid

Pushing or hurting others to kiss the Black Stone turns a sunnah into a sin, so point to it instead. Turning to face the Kaaba while walking, other than at the Black Stone, is against the sunnah of tawaf. Keeping the shoulder uncovered after the tawaf, and especially in salah, is disliked. Losing count is common in the crowd, which is why the counter is here.

Questions about tawaf

This guide follows the Hanafi method and is based on Shaykh Mufti Wajid Iqbal's Umrah book, Essential Islam. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.