The word · Worship
طَواف
Tawaf
Circling the Kaaba seven times, keeping it on your left, starting and ending at the Black Stone.
Also written · Tawaaf · Tawwaf · Tavaf · Tauf · circumambulation · circling the Kaaba · Tawaf al-ifadah · Tawaf al-wada · Tawaf al-qudum · farewell tawaf
The meaning
What Tawaf means in Islam
The Qur'an commands circling the Ancient House. Most schools require the pilgrim to be in a state of purity, and Hanafis count a tawaf made without wudu as valid but owing a dam. Each circuit begins and ends at the corner of the Black Stone. Hajj has up to three: tawaf al-qudum on arrival, tawaf al-ifadah after Arafah which is a pillar of the hajj, and tawaf al-wada as a farewell before leaving Makkah. There is no obligation to touch or kiss the stone; most pilgrims simply point to it.
Evidence · Qur’an · Stated directly in the Qur’an
Read beside it
Rooms that name it
Words that sit beside it
- Sa'iWalking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, beginning at Safa and ending at Marwah.سَعْي
- QiblahThe direction of the Kaaba in Makkah, which Muslims face when they pray.قِبْلَة
- HajjThe pilgrimage to Makkah in Dhul Hijjah, obligatory once in a lifetime on those who are able.حَجّ
- UmrahThe lesser pilgrimage: ihram, tawaf, sa'i and cutting the hair, and it may be done any time of year.عُمْرَة
- TahallulComing out of ihram, so that what was forbidden during it becomes permitted again.تَحَلُّل
More from Worship
- AdhanThe call announcing that a prayer time has entered, given aloud before each obligatory prayer.أَذان
- HalqShaving the head after the rites, which releases the pilgrim from the state of ihram.حَلْق
- Jumu'ahThe Friday congregational prayer: a sermon followed by two rak'ahs, replacing Dhuhr.صَلاةُ الجُمُعَة
- NajasahA substance counted as ritually impure, which must be removed from body, clothes and prayer place.نَجاسَة
- SalahThe formal Muslim prayer, performed five times a day at set times, facing Makkah.الصَّلاة
- TahajjudVoluntary prayer in the night, traditionally after sleeping and before dawn.تَهَجُّد