One of the primary rites of Umrah and Hajj is tawaf. The Arabic term taafa, which means to stroll around something, is the root of the word tawaf. Tawaf is the Islamic custom of circumambulating the sacred Kaaba. Seven times are encircled in an anticlockwise direction. Muslims use Umrah packages to travel to Makah in order to fulfill Umrah, one of their most important Islamic requirements. After putting on Ihram, Umrah travelers undergo Tawaf. Takbir and various additional prayers are recited by pilgrims.
Relevance of Tawaf
Tawaf, or making the seven circuits of the Kabah, is one of the most significant obligations of the Hajj and Umrah. Due to the numerous markers that are strategically placed for guidance, such as the different colors of the flooring and the light on the wall opposite the Black Stone, it begins about one yard before the Black Stone and is simple to identify even when thousands of people are performing the tawaf.
Reintroduce us to historical Islamic events
The practice of tawaf reunites us with Islamic customs as they follow the revered example of Allah SWT’s Prophet Muhammad SAW. The “Kaaba” or house of Allah SWT serves as a reminder of Prophet Ibrahim AS and his son Ismail AS’s historical contribution to the building of the Holy Kaaba. When we begin Tawaf from Hajra-e-Aswad, it reminds us of the momentous occasion of its erection by the Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
The universe and Tawaf are in a circular motion
The Tawaf act is a metaphor for how everything in the universe revolves around the Kaaba. Similar to how the moon circles the earth, the planet moves around the sun, and every atom in this world has an electron that circles its nucleus. This demonstrates that everything has a center, just as we do, as the Kaaba is our spiritual center and the location of Tawaf.
Is it okay to break up Tawaf or Sai?
He must repeat tawaf and begin from the beginning of the break while it lasts a long time, say an hour or two. However, nothing is wrong with that if the interruption was only momentary. When a person is performing tawaf (circumambulating the Kabah) or sai (between Safa and Marwah) and he encounters a need (for example, he is thirsty and wants to drink something, or he loses someone from his family and stops to look for him, or he grows tired and wants to take some rest), and if the break was brief, then he may continue his tawaf from where he left off.
Can you relax in the tawaf and the sai?
The requirement that tawaf and sai be performed consecutively governs the question of taking a break during tawaf and sai. One of the main rites of the trip is called tawaf, which is the term for circumambulating the Kaaba or walking in circles around it anticlockwise. One Tawaf is made up of seven full laps, each beginning and ending at the Hajar al-Aswad.
Tawaf is a Devotional Act
The Tawaf is a devotional act meant to elevate the pilgrim’s spiritual connection to God. It is the only essential Hajj and Umrah ritual that is not directly connected to the ancient acts of worship carried out by the Prophet Ibrahim AS. The significance of Tawaf has been established in a number of different ways.
Raml during Tawaf
Raml may be challenging to perform because of the crowds. If so, in order to correctly do Raml, walk as swiftly as you can or stop and scan for gaps. You can observe Raml in the second and third circuits if you remember to make it in the first circuit but forget in the second. If it is skipped in any of the first three rounds, it is Makruh’s responsibility to make Raml start with the fourth circuit.
Remember that Raml is not required, despite the fact that performing it is undoubtedly a virtue. Therefore, don’t observe Raml if you believe you might damage others by doing so or if you are unable to do so because of old age or illness.
Tawaf and Salah
There should be no breaks between circuits as the Tawaf is to be performed continuously. However, if a congregational prayer is about to begin, you must join the group and pick up where you left off with your Tawaf. There is no need to repeat the circuit. These guidelines also hold true if you have to recite your Wudhu.