How Is Tawaf Performed? A Step-by-Step Guide

How Is Tawaf Performed? A Step-by-Step Guide

Tawaf means circling the Holy Kaaba seven times, starting from the line of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Each circuit is called a "shawt", and seven circuits make up one tawaf. Tawaf is an essential pillar of Umrah, and in Hajj the "visiting tawaf" (tawaf al-ifadah) is obligatory.

Conditions of Tawaf

  • Being in a state of ablution (according to the Hanafi school, ablution during tawaf is wajib).
  • Being properly dressed according to Islamic requirements.
  • Starting the tawaf from the line of the Black Stone.
  • Keeping the Kaaba on your left side while circling.
  • Circling outside the Hatim (Hijr Ismail); a circuit passing through it is not valid.

Tawaf Step by Step

  • 1. Intention: Make the intention in your heart before starting.
  • 2. Istilam: At the line of the Black Stone, raise your hands and say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar"; greet the Stone if possible, or gesture from a distance in crowded conditions.
  • 3. Circling: Walk with the Kaaba on your left; repeat the istilam at the Black Stone line on every circuit.
  • 4. Supplication and dhikr: No specific prayer is required during tawaf; you may recite the Quran, make dua and dhikr. Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone, it is sunnah to recite "Rabbana atina...".
  • 5. Completing seven circuits: The tawaf ends after the seventh circuit.

Ramal and Idtiba

In the first three circuits of a tawaf that will be followed by sa'y, men walk briskly with short steps; this is called "ramal". In the same tawaf, men pass one end of the ihram under the right arm and over the left shoulder; this is called "idtiba". Women do not perform ramal or idtiba.

The Tawaf Prayer

After completing the tawaf, two rakats of tawaf prayer are performed behind Maqam Ibrahim, provided it is not a disliked prayer time. If no space is available, the prayer may be performed anywhere suitable in Masjid al-Haram. Drinking Zamzam water afterwards is recommended.

On all Hisar Balkans Umrah programs, our guides demonstrate the tawaf in practice and accompany our groups at every step.