Perform Tawaf to Attain Allah’s Pleasure
Are you planning to embark on the holy journey of Umrah? Are you eager to submit yourself to Allah while doing Tawaf but need more guidance about its rituals? Here is everything you need to know about doing Tawaf.
When someone enters the Holy Kabah, he must first do Tawaf. Tawaf is the act of completing seven rounds around the Holy Kabah. It is one of the simplest yet the most virtuous forms of worship when you visit the Holy Kabah. Allah loves immensely when his humble slaves circulate His Home. This act signifies that Allah is the Sole Creator, Sustainer, and Owner of all the Worlds and beyond. Everything in the universe revolves around His Command and Existence in complete obedience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Perform Tawaf
- Make Intention
As with any worship, first make an intention whether in heart or by tongue to do Tawaf to attain Allah’s love. Here is a supplication to make an intention for Tawaf.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أُرِيْدُ طَوَافَ بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِيْ وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّيْ
Translation: –
O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf of the Sacred Mosque, so accept it from me and make it easy for me.
- Start Tawaf
Begin your circuit by kissing or touching Hajr-e-Aswad. For the guidance of pilgrims, a green light signals the starting point of Tawaf. Face the Holy Kabah in such a way that the Black Stone is to your right. If you cannot reach it, point your hand towards it or wave it to mark the start of your circuit. Remember to empty your heart of all the worldly things only to fill it with Allah’s love. Submit yourself completely to Allah as you start Tawaf. Supplicate with sincerest intention and humility, while glorifying the Almighty.
- Ramal
Ramal is the act of walking briskly with the chest thrust forward and shoulders shaking slightly. This is only for men. Females do not perform Ramal and do Tawaf normally. This act is only for the first three circuits. Also, if there is a lot of crowd and it is not possible to do Ramal, you can walk normally.
- Istiliam
Istilam is the touching or kissing of the Black Stone. Completion of a circuit happens when you reach the Black Stone and perform Istilam. During Hajj season or Ramadan when there are millions of pilgrims, it is difficult to reach the Black Stone. In that case, perform Istilam from a distance, rather than hurting fellow pilgrims to find your way closer to Hajr-e-Aswad.
- Pay Homage to Rukn-e-Yamani
Now touch or do a hand gesture toward Rukn-e-Yamani with the right hand. Supplicate to Allah at this point.
- Offer Prayer after completing Tawaf
In this manner complete seven circuits to do Tawaf. After completing Tawaf, offer two Rakat obligatory prayers facing the Kabah and Maqam-e-Ibrahim in front. If you cannot find a place close to Maqam-e-Ibrahim, which is quite usual, offer prayer anywhere else in the Haram. However, Allah dislikes creating disturbance or disorder at such a holy place in the name of worship.
Different kinds of Tawaf
There are different intentions of doing Tawaf. Hence it is important to declare your intention for Tawaf. Here are different types of Tawaf for different purposes: –
- Tawaf-ul-Qudum: When you enter the Holy Mosque in Ihram, you perform this Tawaf.
- Tawaf-ul-Wida: The farewell Tawaf marks the completion of Hajj.
- Tawaf-uz-Ziarat: Pilgrims perform this Tawaf between the dawn of the 10th Dhul Hijjah and the sunset of the 12th Dhul Hijjah.
- Tawaf-l-Nadhar: If you promise to make a Tawaf for acceptance of any prayer or any other reason, it becomes obligatory to fo that Tawaf.
- Tawaf-e-Umrah: It is an obligatory ritual of Umrah.
- Tawaf-e-Tahaiyya: Performing Tawaf-e-Tahaiyya upon entering the Holy Mosque has immense reward. Though it is not mandatory, it is virtuous.
To Conclude
Tawaf connects you to Allah in the most miraculous way. It is a remedy for hurt, tired, and thirsty souls. Hence perform Tawaf with pure intentions and gain Allah’s favor in both this world and the Hereafter.
