Tawaf is derived from the Arabic term Tauf, which means “to travel round and round” in Arabic. Tawaf means “to stroll about” or “to encircle anything.” Tawaf refers to the act of circling the Holy Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise way. It’s a required rite for all travelers wishing to complete Umrah successfully. This blog offered by our travel agency with cheap Hajj packages explains how to do Tawaf in Umrah, as well as certain dos and don’ts.
What is Tawaf During Umrah and why is it important?
Tawaf is a crucial religious ceremony in Umrah. During the Jahiliyyah period, that is, before the Prophet Muhammed’s reign (PBUH). Tawaf was traditionally performed nude by Arabs as an ancient ceremony. They thought that garments contained sins and allowed people to trample on them. Many legends exist to explain why Tawaf is done. Scholars provide several reasons for the significance of Tawaf and its methodology.
One of the reasons pilgrims conduct Tawaf in a round pattern in one direction is to reflect their belief in the one and only Almighty Allah. While some consider each circumambulation of the Kaaba to be a step towards the seventh heaven, others see it as a submission to Allah and a commitment to worship with all one’s heart. One of the most prominent settings for seven circumambulations is found in Ibn ‘Abbas’ story.
When Prophet Ibrahim left his wife Hagar and son Ismail in Makkah, they quickly ran out of food and water. To obtain water for her parched kid, Hagar went up and down the Safa and Marwa hills. This explains why circumambulating the Kaaba seven times is an important Umrah and Hajj practice.
How Should Tawaf Be Performed During Umrah?
- In Tawaf, the first thing to do is to make Wazu (ablution). Wazu can be performed on the premises of Holy Kaaba or from wherever one is residing.
- Ihram is the required dress for all pilgrims for Tawaf. It should be pure and cover your satar (the parts of the body that should be covered according to Islam). Ihram should be made up of two unstitched white cloths wrapped around the torso of a man. Women’s Ihram comprises plain clothes that cover the satar and a hijab (veil). Covering one’s face is not permitted for women.
- The traveler should next visit the Mataf or the region in Makkah where pilgrims do Tawaf.
- Pilgrims should conduct Niyat (intention) in front of Hajra-e-Aswad, a black stone delivered from heaven to Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) when he was constructing the Kaaba. It is located at Kaaba’s eastern corner.
- Following the Niyat, one should face Hajra-e-Aswad and say Takbir (Allah-o-Akbar) before kissing the stone.
- Then he or she should begin walking anticlockwise around the Kaaba. In this method, a person should complete seven circles on foot. The Tawaf must be done in one sitting, and the pilgrim must remain until all seven rounds have been finished.
- After completing the seven rounds, pilgrims must stand in Al-Masjid Al-Haram and pray two Rakats.
- Then, while saying the dua, they must take water from the Zamzam.
How Often Should Tawaf Be Performed During Umrah?
Tawaf is going around Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise orientation as a single. A pilgrim can do as many Tawaf as he or she like before traveling to Sai (walking between the hills Safa and Marwah as a ritual in Umrah). It is claimed that a person can conduct Umrah on behalf of another person who is either deceased or is not currently present in Makkah.
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