Now we’ll start the most critical part of your Umrah – the Tawaf of the Holy Kaaba.
This is a beautiful experience because you’ll get to circle the House of Allah, make Dua, and experience the spirituality of this unique place.
There’s no other experience like this in the world.
Let me explain the next steps.
Step 7: Making Tawaf Niyat And Istiqbaal e Kaaba
Once you’re done with the initial Dua after seeing Kaaba for the first time, start the most important part of your Umrah, the Tawaf of Ka’aba.
Here’s how to do it.
- Men should uncover their right shoulder. This is called “Iztiba” and it is a Sunnah during Tawaf.
- First, move towards Hajr e Aswad, the Black Stone, and stand facing its direction. If the Mataf is crowded, use the Green Lights, which are placed to mark the direction of Hajr e Aswad.
- Then, make the following Niyat for your Tawaf.
“O Allah! I’m performing the Tawaf of Umrah to seek your pleasure. Make it easy for me and accept it from me.”
- Now, face Hajr e Aswad direction and lift your hands up to your ears like Takbeer Tahreema in Namaz and say
بِسْـمِ اللّٰهِ اللّٰهُ اکبر و لِلّهِ الحَمد
وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللّهِ
Then put your hands down.
This is called the Istiqbal e Ka’ba.
Step 8: Performing Tawaf Of Kaaba
Tawaf Summary
| How many rounds in one Tawaf? | One tawaf consists of 7 rounds |
| Wuzu necessary? | Yes, wuzu is necessary for Tawaf. |
| Tawaf beginning point | The Black Stone, Hajr e Aswad |
| Tawaf ending point | The Black Stone, Hajr e Aswad |
| Iztiba | Men will uncover their right shoulder during Tawaf |
| Ramal | Men will walk quickly with short steps in the first three rounds of Tawaf |
Now to begin the Tawaf, Kiss the Black Stone, Hajr e Aswad. This is called Istilam.
But avoid this in two conditions.
- If there’s perfume on the Black Stone since you’re in the state of Ihram
- If it is too crowded and kissing the Black Stone isn’t possible.
In this case, you’ll perform the Signal Of Istilam.
Here’s how to do it.
Lift your hands in a way that your palms are facing the Black Stone, Hajr Aswad, and their back is towards your face. Then say:
بِسْـمِ اللّٰهِ اللّٰهُ اکبر و لِلّهِ الحَمد
وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللّهِ
Then kiss your palms and stop reciting Talbiyah.
You can do it with both hands or one hand, whatever is easier.
Now begin walking for the first round of your Tawaf. One Tawaf consists of seven rounds that start from Hajr e Aswad and end on it.
During the Tawaf, you’re prohibited from doing the following
- Looking at the Ka’aba, except for when doing Istilam.
- Facing the Ka’aba.
- Showing your back to the Ka’aba.
Doing Ramal During Tawaf For Men
Men are required to do Ramal in the first three rounds of Tawaf. It is a sunnah of the Holy Prophet.
In Ramal, you’ll walk quickly with short steps and with stiff shoulders, similar to how a wrestler walks in the ring.
However, if Mataf is too crowded to do Ramal, you can skip it.
What Zikr Or Dua To Read During Tawaf
You are free to make any dua or zikr during Tawaf. Avoid reading from books, and instead, use this as an opportunity to say everything you want to your Lord.
Recite any surahs of the Quran you remember, do any zikr like La Ilaha Ilallah, Durood Sharif, or any other Dua from Hadith you remember.
Make dua in your language for yourself, your parents, children, friends, family, and the whole Ummah.
Zikr Between Rukn e Yamani And Hajr e Aswad During Tawaf
The corner of the Ka’aba before Hajr e Aswad is called Rukn e Yamani. It is Sunnah to touch it with one hand. However, if it is too crowded to do so, leave it.
Then keep reading this dua while moving towards the corner of the Ka’aba with Hajr e Aswad.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِىْ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِىْ الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Complete The First Round Of Tawaf
Once you reach Hajr e Aswad, your first round of Tawaf is completed.
Now begin the second round of Tawaf the same way by doing the Signal of Istilam as described earlier.
This way, you’ll perform seven rounds of Tawaf to complete it.
Once you perform the last round of Tawaf, perform the Istilam Signal again to finish your Tawaf.
Important Advice: Most people forget which round of Tawaf they’re performing. So keep a tasbeeh with you to count your rounds.