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Step 9 of 14

Tawaf: 7 circuits around the Kaaba

Preparation at home, journey, ihram at the miqat or on the plane, Makkah, then Madinah and return.

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Educational guide. If in doubt, ask your guide or a scholar.

Stop the talbiya. Stand in line with the Black Stone (marker on the floor and the wall), the Kaaba on your left. Each time you pass the Black Stone, turn towards it and say “Allāhu akbar” (touch or kiss it only if possible without pushing). Complete 7 full circuits anticlockwise, passing outside the Hijr Ismail (the semicircle). Men: right shoulder uncovered (idtibaʿ) and brisk pace for the first 3 circuits (ramal) if the crowd allows. Between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone, recite “Rabbanā ātinā…”. Otherwise: free supplications, Quran, dhikr.

Schools differRitual purity: required for the validity of tawaf according to the Maliki, Shafiʿi and Hanbali schools; the Hanafi school considers it obligatory but a tawaf done without ablution remains valid with compensation. Doubt about the number of circuits: the majority keeps the certain (lower) number. Without ruling: follow your guide.

Supplications

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allāhu akbar

Allah is the greatest (when passing the Black Stone).

The wording “Bismillāhi wa-Llāhu akbar” is reported from the Companions.

Bukhari 1613 (takbir when passing the Black Stone)

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbanā ātinā fī d-dunyā ḥasanatan wa fī l-ākhirati ḥasanatan wa qinā ʿadhāba n-nār

Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire (between the Yemeni corner and the Black Stone).

Quran 2:201

Common mistakes

What if…

I don’t know whether I am on the 4th or 5th circuit?

Keep the number you are sure of (4) and continue. Use this guide’s counter or your fingers.

The crowd is too dense on the ground floor?

Tawaf on the upper floors or roof is valid; it takes longer (about 20 minutes per circuit).

Ablution broken during tawaf?

Leave, renew ablution and resume: according to the majority you restart the current circuit; ask the guide.

An obligatory prayer starts?

Pray with the congregation, then resume the tawaf where you left it.

Too tired?

Step to the side (out of the flow), drink, then resume. A wheelchair is possible.

Checklist

Open the interactive 3D guide

Sources

All steps

  1. 1Forming your intention
  2. 2Documents and formalities
  3. 3Health and fitness
  4. 4The pilgrim’s suitcase
  5. 5The journey and arrival
  6. 6Ihram at the miqat or on board
  7. 7The talbiya
  8. 8Entering Makkah and the Sacred Mosque
  9. 9Tawaf: 7 circuits around the Kaaba
  10. 10Prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim and Zamzam water
  11. 11Saʿi: 7 laps between Safa and Marwa
  12. 12Halq or taqsir: leaving ihram
  13. 13Madinah: the Prophet’s Mosque and visits
  14. 14The return