Entering Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) and Tawaf

On approaching the Ka'bah, the pilgrim, if he intends to perform Hajj At-Tamattu' or `Umrah, should stop the recitation of Labbaik before starting Tawaf. He should first face the Hajar-al-Aswad (Black Stone), touch it with his right hand, and if possible, kiss it. In so doing, he should not, however, push anyone or put anyone to inconvenience. At the time of touching it, he should say: بسم الله الله أكبر Bismillah Allahu Akbar "In the Name of Allah. Allah is Most Great". If it is difficult to kiss the stone, he should touch it with his hand or a stick and then kiss one's hands or stick. If even this is difficult to do, he should make a, gesture to the Black Stone and say:الله أكبر Allahu Akbar "Allah is All-Great." However, he should not kiss the thing with which gesture is made with towards the stone. One should start Tawaf of the Ka'bah from his left side. It is better if one recites the following supplication at the start of Tawaf. (اللهم إيمانا بك وتصديقا بكتابك ووفاء بعهدك واتباعا لسنة نبيك محمد) Allahumma imaanan bika wa tasdiqan bikitaabika wa wafa`an bi ahdika wattiba'an lisunnati Nabiyika Muhammadin صلى الله عليه وسلم "O Allah! I do so with faith in You, believing in Your Book, honoring the Promise to You and following the Sunnah of Your Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم" The above practice is inherited from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم . The Tawaf consists of seven rounds. Ramal (brisk pace) should be done in the first three rounds. This practice is to be followed in the Tawaf one performs on arriving in Makkah, no matter whether this Tawaf is for `Umrah or Hajj At-Tamattu or Hajj Al-Qiran. In the remaining four rounds one should move at the normal pace. Each round commences and finishes at the Hajar Al-Aswad (Black Stone). "Ramal" means to walk at a brisk pace.

One should do Idtiba' in the whole Tawaf. This practice of Idtiba' is not to be followed in all other Tawaf (that are not for Hajj or `Umrah). Idtiba' stands for putting the sheet under one's right armpit and its two edges on the left shoulder, (i.e. to uncover the right shoulder). If one is in doubt about the number of rounds of Tawaf he has performed, he should reckon on the lower figure. For example, if one is not sure whether he has taken three or four rounds, he should reckon it as three. The same holds true for Sa'y. After accomplishing Tawaf one should cover the right shoulder with the sheet (i.e. before offering two Rak'at of prayer after Tawaf one should put the sheet on both shoulders and let its corners hang on one's chest).

Hajj And Umrah Guides, Pilgrimage Essentials, Mecca & Medina Topics Links:

Advice To Pilgrims | A Step by step Hajj and 'Umrah | Adhkar (Pertaining to the remembrance of Allah) | A Lasting Word For Hajj And 'Umrah | An Account of the Miqat | An Account of visiting the Prophet's Mosque | Ayaam at-Tashreeq | Binding on the pilgrim to refrain from sins | Command about the Menstruating and similar women | Conditional Ihram | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day One | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Two | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Three | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Four | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Five | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Six | Day of Arafah | Day to Day Activities of Hajj | Dhabh | Duties of pilgrims at 'Arafah | Entering Mecca | Entering Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) and Tawaf | Errors Often Committed by Pilgrims | Etiquette of Ihram | Etiquette of Visiting the Prophet's (P.B.U.H) Grave | Farewell Pilgrimage of the Messenger of Allah | Farewell Tawaf | Farewell Tawaf is binding on everyone except the menstruating and women with post childbirth bleeding | Fixed time for Hajj | Fixed time for Hajj | Four Khutbahs in Hajj | Hajj in Pre-Islamic Times | Hajj of a woman | Hajj, Umrah & Ziyarah At a Glance | Halq or Qass | Halq or Qasr: Shaving or Clipping | Ihram | Ihram for youngsters | Ihram: Introduction And Significance | Innovations of `Arafah | Innovations Before Ihraam | Innovations of Hajj, `Umra and Visiting Madinah | Innovations of Ihraam and Talbiyyah, etc. | Innovations of Muzdalifah | Innovations of Sacrifice and Shaving the Head | Innovations of Sa'y Between Safaa and Marwah | Innovations of Stoning | Innovations of Tawaaf | Innovations of Visiting Madinat-ul-Munawwarah | Innovations of Visiting Bait-ul-Maqdis | Innovations: Various Innovations | Istilaam | Kinds of Ihram | Leaving Arafah to spend night in Al Muzdalefah | Many `Umrahs after Hajj is not encouraged by the Shari`ah | Maqaam Ibraaheem | Meeqaat | Merits of Hajj | Merits of 'Umrah | Minaa | Neglecting and delaying the throwing of pebbles | No Specific Supplication for Tawaf and Sa'y | Not allowed to shave the beard | Not obligatory to visit the Prophet's Mosque | Objective of Hajj - To seek the Divine Pleasure | Obligations during Hajj and Umrah | Performing Hajj on behalf of others | Permitted and Forbidden things in the State of Ihram | Pilgrim with Sacrificial Animal in the month of Hajj should intend Qiran (accompanied Hajj) and the one | Pillars of Hajj | Prayers at Arafah | Preparations for Hajj, Umrah and travelling to the holy lands | Preparing for Hajj or 'Umrah | Prerequisites and Sunnahs of valid Tawaf | Ramy | Reaching Miqat at a Time other than the Hajj Season | Regulations Concerning Hady (Sacrificial animals) | Restrictions of Ihram | Rites, obligations and Sunnahs of Umrah | Sa'y | Sa'y between Safa and Marwah | Sa'y and its rituals | Sacrificial animals | Shaving or clipping hair | Sunnah and allowed throwing | Sunnahs of Tawaf | Supplication at the beginning of the journey | Supplication on entering the Mosque | Supplications at Arafah | Supplications: Some All-Inclusive Supplications | Supplications: Some Supplications which may Be Recited At 'Arafat, at the Sacred Sites, and at Other Places of Supplication | Talbeeyah | Tawaaf | Tawaaf al-Ifaadah | Throwing Al Jemar | Throwing pebbles on behalf of other people | Types of Hajj | Umrah | Veiling and giving up the display of beauty is compulsory for women | Verdict on spending the night at Mina | Visitation of the Prophet's Mosque | Visiting Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi | Visiting Quba Mosque and Al-Baqi' cemetery | What a Pilgrim should do when he reaches the Miqat | What Is Required of the Pilgrims | What is allowed to a Muhrim | Where to pick the pebbles from and the number and size of pebbles | Woman's Hajj with Mahram, expenses of Hajj, taking husband's permission | Woman may enter into the Ihram in any dress | Wuqoof 'Arafaat | Wuqoof Muzdalifah | Zamzam