What is tawaf and how many types of tawaf?

According to Islamic Sharia, Tawaf is a compulsory part of two great spiritual journeys, Hajj And Umrah. After reading this article, Muslim can easily perform this ritual of Hajj and Umrah. Usually, most Muslims don’t attain the great rewards from these holy journeys because they have no capability to perform it by physically & financially. Nowadays, financially problem can be solved by Best Travel Agency Hajj and Umrah that is serving very well for many years.

Briefly describing here -Tawaf and its types:

Tawaf is circumambulating the Kabba 7 times, which begins from Hajr-e-Aswad in an anti-clockwise direction. Every circumambulation gets to completion when a person returns to Black Stone. If possible, a person should approach to touch or kiss Hajr-e-Aswad; if not, he can point towards it with his right hand.

After completing the circumambulation seven times, a person should continue to move in a counter-clockwise direction till he reaches to his exit point.

Types of Tawaf:

There are 7 types of Tawaf;

1:-Tawaf-ul-Qudoom                                                                                     2:-Tawaf-ul-Ziarah

3:-Tawaf-ul-Wada (Tawaf-e-Sadr)                                                                 4:-Tawaf-ul-Nafl

5:-Tawaf-ul-Umrah                                                                                        6:-Tawaf-ul-Nazr

7:-Tawaf-ul-Tahiyaah

1:-Tawaf-ul-Qudoom

A person performs it when he/she arrives at Makkah whether for Hajj, Umrah, Business or a visit. It is also called a welcome Tawaf. It is sunnah for Aafaaqi (who are not residents of Makkah) who performs Hajj Ifraad or hajj Qiraan. It is not a Sunnah for those who are performing Hajj Tammatu or Umrah even if they are an Aafaqi.

Hazrat Ayesha (R.A.) said,

“The first thing the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) did on reaching Makkah, was the ablution and then he performed Tawaf of the Kabbah, and that was not Umrah (alone), (but Hajj-al-Qiran).”

2:-Tawaf-ul-Ziarah

It is also called Tawaf-ul-Rukn or Tawaf-ul-Hajj. Pilgrims perform it at the time of Hajj. This Tawaf is obligatory. Hajj will be invalid if it is not done. Pilgrims can perform it from the dawn of 10th Zil hajj to 12th Zil hajj.

3:-Tawaf-ul-Wada (Tawaf-e-Sadr)

It is a farewell Tawaf and performed as a final ritual of Hajj when a pilgrim is leaving Makkah. It is wajib.

 Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:

 “Let none of you leaves Makkah before making a Tawaf around the Kabba, as the last of Hajj rites”

4:-Tawaf-ul-Nafl

Tawaf-ul-Nafl is an optional tawaf, but it is better than performing a nafl prayer. Muslims can complete it at any time and as desired. Perform Tawaf as much as you can, when you are in Makkah because this opportunity cannot be achieved anywhere in the world.

5:-Tawaf-ul-Umrah

Tawaf-ul-Umrah is a must part of Umrah and performed as a rite of Umrah. It is obligatory for the one who performs Umrah.

6:-Tawaf-ul-Nazr

If a person promised that he would perform Tawaf if Allah fulfils his desire. Then, he must have to complete this Tawaf if Allah consummates that desire.

7:-Tawaf-ul-Tahiyaah

Tawaf-ul-Tahiyaah is Mustahib for such person who enters in Haram.

Note: After Tawaf, the person has to offer two rakats of prayer behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim (if possible, otherwise they should perform it anywhere in the mosque).