Tawaf & Drinking Zamzam Water

1. Rulings & Preparation for Tawaf

• Idtiba’ (Uncovering the Right Shoulder):

  Male pilgrims expose their right shoulder only during the execution of Tawaf. Immediately upon finishing all seven circuits, both shoulders must be covered again.

• Tawaf in Regular Attire:

  If a person is performing a voluntary (Nafl) Tawaf outside of Umrah or Hajj, they may do so in standard modest clothing.

2. Performing the Seven Circuits of Tawaf

• Starting Point (The Black Stone / Hajar al-Aswad):

  Begin each circuit at the line aligned with the Black Stone through one of the following actions (based on crowd conditions):

  1. Kiss the Black Stone directly (if accessible without causing harm).

  2. Touch it gently with the right hand.

  3. Face the Black Stone from a distance, point toward it with the right hand, and recite:

     اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

     (Allahu Akbar – Allah is the Greatest)

• Ramal (Brisk Walking):

  Male pilgrims are recommended (Sunnah) to walk at a brisk, energetic pace with short steps during the first three rounds only, returning to a normal walk for the remaining four rounds.

• Supplications (Dua) During Tawaf:

  Pilgrims may recite any authentic Adhkar, Quranic verses, or personal supplications. There are no specific or prescribed Duas fixed for each individual round.

• The Yemeni Corner (Rukn al-Yamani):

  Touch the Yemeni Corner with the right hand if you can reach it easily. If it cannot be reached due to crowds, simply walk past it without kissing, touching with both hands, or pointing towards it.

3. Drinking Zamzam Water (Sunnah Practices)

After concluding Tawaf and offering two rak’ahs of prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim (or anywhere in the Haram):

• Recommended Actions:

  • Make sincere supplications (Dua) before drinking.

  • Drink Zamzam water until fully satisfied.

  • Pour a moderate amount of Zamzam water over the head.

• Excellence of Zamzam:

  The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

  “The water of Zamzam is for whatever purpose it is drunk for.”

  — Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 3062)

  Throughout Islamic history, scholars and righteous believers have drunk Zamzam with sincere intentions—such as seeking physical healing, spiritual relief, or divine guidance—and Allah fulfilled their hopes.

4. Clarifications on Misconceptions & Common Errors in Tawaf

• Stating Intentions Aloud: The intention (Niyyah) resides in the heart; pronouncing it verbally before starting Tawaf is not required.

• Touching the Black Stone: Touching or kissing the Black Stone is a Sunnah, not a mandatory condition for the acceptance of Tawaf.

• Veneration vs. Worship: The Black Stone is neither worshipped nor capable of bringing benefit or harm; it is honored solely in adherence to the Prophet’s ﷺ Sunnah.

• Interactions at the Yemeni Corner: The Yemeni Corner should never be kissed or pointed at from a distance.

• Physical Jostling: Pilgrims must strictly avoid pushing, shoving, or causing distress to others while attempting to reach the Black Stone or Yemeni Corner.

• Group Chanting: Supplications should be made individually and softly, avoiding loud, synchronized group recitations that disrupt others.

• Direction of Tawaf: The Holy Kaaba must continuously remain on the pilgrim’s left side throughout all seven rounds.