Tawaf and Sai Guide
Learn the conditions, the seven circuits and the walk between Safa and Marwa.
7 Circuits
Tawaf = 7 complete circuits around the Kaaba, starting and ending at the Black Stone.
Counter-Clockwise
Always keep the Kaaba on your LEFT. Walk counter-clockwise when viewed from above.
Wudu Required
Full ritual purity (Wudu) is required for Tawaf. Tawaf without Wudu is invalid.
Sa'i — 7 Walks
7 trips between Safa and Marwa. Starts at Safa, ends at Marwa after the 7th trip.
Tawaf Prerequisites & Conditions
Obligatory Conditions
- Full ritual purity (Wudu) — Tawaf is invalid without it
- Body and clothing must be clean (Tahara)
- Awrah must be properly covered throughout
- Complete 7 full circuits — any shortfall must be made up
- Kaaba must always be on your LEFT
- Must be performed inside Masjid Al-Haram boundaries
- Tawaf must be continuous (no long unjustified interruption)
- Must start from the Black Stone (Hajar Al-Aswad)
- Women in menstruation must wait until pure
Recommended Sunnah Acts
- Raml (brisk pace) in first 3 circuits — men only in Tawaf Al-Qudum
- Idtiba (bare right shoulder) — men only in Tawaf Al-Qudum
- Kiss or touch the Black Stone at start of each circuit
- Touch the Yemeni Corner with right hand each circuit
- Pray 2 Rakat behind Maqam Ibrahim after Tawaf
- Drink Zamzam water after the 2 Rakat
- Engage in plentiful dhikr and dua throughout
- Return to kiss Black Stone after 2 Rakat (if possible)
Tawaf — Step by Step
1
Niyyah (Intention) Wajib
نِيَّةُ الطَّوَافِ
Make a sincere intention in your heart to perform Tawaf for the sake of Allah. Niyyah is in the heart — saying it verbally is permissible but not required. Specify which Tawaf you are performing (Umrah, Ifadah, Qudum, or Wida).
Intention for Tawaf
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الطَّوَافَ بِبَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي
Allahumma inni uridu al-tawafa bi-baytikal-haram fa-yassirhu li wa taqabbalhu minni
"O Allah, I intend to perform Tawaf around Your Sacred House, so make it easy for me and accept it from me."
2
Idtiba — Men Only in Tawaf Al-Qudum Sunnah
الِاضْطِبَاع
For Tawaf Al-Qudum only, men place the upper Ihram cloth under the right armpit, leaving the right shoulder bare. The left shoulder remains covered. Maintain this for the entire Tawaf. After completing Tawaf and before the 2 Rakat, restore the Ihram to cover both shoulders. Women never perform Idtiba.
3
Istilam — Facing the Black Stone Wajib
اسْتِلَامُ الحَجَرِ الأَسْوَد
Position yourself so the entire Black Stone is on your right. Face it directly. If possible, kiss it. If not, touch it with your right hand. If neither is possible due to crowds, simply point your right hand toward it and say the Takbir. Pointing is fully sufficient — DO NOT push or harm others to reach the Stone.
Upon kissing or pointing to the Black Stone — said at the start of EVERY circuit
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Bismillah, Allahu Akbar
"In the name of Allah. Allah is the Greatest."
4
Circuits 1–3: Raml for Men Sunnah
الرَّمَل
In the first THREE circuits of Tawaf Al-Qudum only, men perform Raml — brisk walking with short, quick steps (similar to a jog). This shows strength. Walk at normal pace in circuits 4–7. Women always walk normally. Raml is only for Tawaf Al-Qudum, not other types of Tawaf.
Between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone — said in EVERY circuit
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina 'adhaban-nar
"Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire." (Quran 2:201)
There are no mandatory fixed duas for each circuit. Recite any dua, Quran, or dhikr you know. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Make Tawaf and Sa'i filled with the remembrance of Allah."
5
The Yemeni Corner (Al-Rukn Al-Yamani)
الرُّكْن الْيَمَانِي
Before the Black Stone in each circuit, you pass the Yemeni Corner. Touch it with your right hand (or both hands) — do NOT kiss it. If unable to reach it, walk past without gesturing. The stretch from the Yemeni Corner to the Black Stone is particularly blessed for dua. Recite Rabbana atina here in every circuit.
6
IMPORTANT: Walk Around the Hateem (Hijr Ismail) Wajib
الحِجْر — الحَطِيم
The Hateem (Hijr Ismail) is the semicircular wall on the northwest side of the Kaaba. This area is PART of the original Kaaba — you MUST walk completely around it, NOT through it. Walking through the Hateem means you walked inside the Kaaba, which invalidates that circuit. Always walk outside the white semicircular wall.
The Hateem is a common source of Tawaf invalidation for first-timers. Always keep the entire semicircular wall to your left — walk all the way around the outside.
7
Complete 7 Full Circuits Wajib
إِتْمَام سَبْعَةِ أَشْوَاط
Continue performing circuits. Each passing of the Black Stone completes one circuit. Keep count carefully: if unsure between 6 and 7, assume 6 and perform one more. After your 7th circuit, you stop when you reach the Black Stone line. The Tawaf is now complete.
At the Black Stone — end of each completed circuit
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
"Allah is the Greatest." — Said each time you align with the Black Stone to mark completion of each circuit.
8
2 Rakat Behind Maqam Ibrahim Wajib
صَلَاةُ رَكْعَتَيْن عِنْدَ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيم
After Tawaf, pray 2 Rakat as close to Maqam Ibrahim as possible (the station where Ibrahim ﷺ stood when building the Kaaba). If crowds prevent this, pray anywhere inside Masjid Al-Haram. In Rakat 1 after Al-Fatiha recite Surah Al-Kafirun; in Rakat 2 recite Surah Al-Ikhlas. If wearing Idtiba, restore Ihram to cover both shoulders first.
Recite upon approaching Maqam Ibrahim
وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى
Wattakhidhu min maqami Ibrahima musalla
"And take from the standing place of Ibrahim a place of prayer." (Quran 2:125)
9
Drink Zamzam Water Sunnah
شُرْب مَاء زَمْزَم
After the 2 Rakat, go to the Zamzam stations and drink your fill. Sunnah: stand while drinking, face the Qibla, say Bismillah, drink in 3 breaths, and make dua. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for." (Ibn Majah) — make a dua for health, knowledge, provision, or whatever you need.
Dua when drinking Zamzam
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا وَاسِعًا وَشِفَاءً مِن كُلِّ دَاءٍ
Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an wa rizqan wasi'an wa shifa'an min kulli da'
"O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, abundant provision, and cure from every illness."
Sa'i — Safa & Marwa Complete Guide
What is Sa'i?
Sa'i (السَّعْي) means walking 7 times between Safa (الصَّفَا) and Marwa (الْمَرْوَة). It commemorates Sayyidah Hajar — wife of Prophet Ibrahim ﷺ — who ran between these hills searching for water for her infant Ismail ﷺ. Sa'i is a RUKN (pillar) of Hajj and Umrah — omitting it invalidates the worship. Sa'i begins at SAFA and ends at MARWA after the 7th trip.
1
Proceed to Safa — Sa'i Must Start Here Wajib
الصَّفَا — بِدَايَة السَّعْي
After Tawaf and 2 Rakat and Zamzam, proceed to the Sa'i walkway (Mas'a). Walk to Safa, climb or ascend it, and face the Kaaba direction. Allah says in the Quran: "Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the Signs of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj or Umrah, there is no blame on him for walking between them." (2:158)
Upon FIRST approaching Safa (say this only the first time)
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ، أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ
Innas-Safa wal-Marwata min sha'a'irillah. Abda'u bima bada-Allahu bih
"Indeed, Safa and Marwa are among the Signs of Allah. I begin with what Allah began with." (Muslim)
At Safa facing the Kaaba — repeat 3 times at both Safa AND Marwa each visit
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِير، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ، أَنجَزَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ
La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, yuhyi wa yumitu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir. La ilaha illallahu wahdahu, anjaza wa'dahu, wa nasara 'abdahu, wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdah
"There is no god but Allah alone, without partner; to Him belongs all dominion and all praise; He gives life and causes death and He has power over all things. There is no god but Allah alone; He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His servant, and defeated the parties alone." (Muslim) — Make any personal dua between repetitions.
2
Walk to Marwa — Trip 1 (and trips 3, 5, 7)
السَّعْي مِنَ الصَّفَا إِلَى الْمَرْوَة
Descend from Safa and walk toward Marwa. Between the two GREEN LIGHTS (or green markers), MEN should jog/run briskly. Women always walk at a normal pace. This honors Hajar who ran in this valley (wadi) searching for water. After passing the second green marker, resume normal walking until you reach Marwa. Ascend Marwa and make the same dua facing the Kaaba.
General dua during the walking/jogging portion (between Safa and Marwa)
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ، إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الأَعَزُّ الأَكْرَم
Rabbighfir warham, innaka antal-a'azzul-akram
"My Lord, forgive and have mercy. Indeed, You are the Most Mighty, the Most Generous." — Or recite any dua you know.
3
Walk back from Marwa to Safa — Trips 2, 4, 6
السَّعْي مِنَ الْمَرْوَة إِلَى الصَّفَا
After completing the dua at Marwa, walk back to Safa. Again, men jog between the green markers. Reaching Safa completes another trip. Repeat the dua at Safa. Continue alternating between Safa and Marwa.
Sa'i counting: Safa→Marwa = trip 1 | Marwa→Safa = trip 2 | Safa→Marwa = trip 3 | ... | Safa→Marwa = trip 7. Trips end at MARWA.
4
Complete the 7th Trip — Ending at Marwa Wajib
الانْتِهَاء عِنْدَ الْمَرْوَة
The 7th trip goes from SAFA to MARWA. Sa'i ends at MARWA. After arriving at Marwa for the final time, make dua and praise Allah. Sa'i is complete. The Mas'a (Sa'i walkway) is divided into lanes — use the designated lane direction for each trip to avoid confusion.
Final dua at Marwa upon completing Sa'i
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا، إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيم
Allahumma taqabbal minna, innaka antas-Sami'ul-'Alim
"O Allah, accept from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." (Quran 2:127)
5
Halq or Taqsir — Exiting Ihram Wajib (Umrah)
الحَلْق أَو التَّقْصِير
After Sa'i in Umrah, the Ihram state ends with hair cutting. Men: Halq (shave entire head — strongly preferred) or Taqsir (cut at least 1cm from all parts of head). Women: Cut a finger-length (~2.5cm) from the ends of all hair sections — DO NOT shave the head. This completes the Umrah and exits Ihram.
Dua during hair cutting
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُحَلِّقِينَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُحَلِّقِينَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُحَلِّقِينَ وَالْمُقَصِّرِين
Allahumma-ghfir lil-muhalliqqin (×3), Allahumma-ghfir lil-muhalliqqina wal-muqassirin
"O Allah, forgive those who shave (×3), O Allah, forgive those who shave and those who cut short." — The Prophet ﷺ prayed for shavers 3 times and trimmers once. (Bukhari & Muslim)
Types of Tawaf
6 Types of Tawaf in Islamic Fiqh
- Tawaf Al-Qudum (Arrival) — Sunnah Muakkadah for those entering from outside Meeqat. Performed upon first arrival in Mecca.
- Tawaf Al-Ifadah / Al-Ziyarah (Pillar of Hajj) — Rukn — must be done on or after 10 Dhul Hijjah. Omitting it invalidates Hajj entirely.
- Tawaf Al-Umrah — Rukn of Umrah. The main Tawaf performed during Umrah.
- Tawaf Al-Wida (Farewell) — Wajib. The last act before leaving Mecca after Hajj.
- Tawaf Al-Nafl (Voluntary) — Highly recommended anytime in Masjid Al-Haram. Best form of worship in Mecca according to scholars.
- Tawaf Al-Tahiyyah (Greeting) — Substitutes the 2-Rakat greeting prayer when entering Masjid Al-Haram.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistakes in Tawaf
- Walking through the Hateem/Hijr Ismail — invalidates that circuit
- Performing Tawaf without Wudu — entirely invalid
- Miscounting circuits — always assume the lower number
- Kissing the Yemeni Corner — touch only, never kiss
- Women performing Raml or Idtiba
- Pushing and harming others to reach the Black Stone
- Praying 2 Rakat outside Masjid Al-Haram
- Long unnecessary interruptions mid-Tawaf
Mistakes in Sa'i
- Starting Sa'i from Marwa — must start at Safa
- Ending at Safa — must end at Marwa after 7th trip
- Miscounting trips — each one-way walk = 1 trip
- Women jogging between green markers
- Performing Sa'i before valid Tawaf
- Not facing Kaaba direction at Safa and Marwa
- Not making Niyyah for Sa'i
- Women shaving their heads — they only trim
Scholarly Notes & Fatwas
- Wudu for Sa'i: Majority opinion (Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali) — Wudu is not required for Sa'i but strongly recommended. Hanafi madhab considers it obligatory.
- Upper floor Tawaf: Valid and fully accepted. (Permanent Committee Fatwa, Saudi Arabia). Particularly useful during peak times.
- Wheelchair Tawaf: Fully valid. The person being pushed also performs valid Tawaf, and the helper's Tawaf is valid too.
- Black Stone pointing: Pointing the right hand toward the Stone while saying Allahu Akbar is completely sufficient. No need to push anyone.
- Wudu breaking mid-Tawaf: Most scholars: renew Wudu and resume from where you stopped. Long delay = restart from beginning (to be safe).
- Talking during Tawaf: Permissible for necessity. Tawaf time is best used for dhikr and dua, not idle conversation.
- Tawaf by proxy: Valid to perform Tawaf and Sa'i on behalf of a sick, elderly, or deceased person with the intention for them.
Guidance only. Confirm any religious ruling with a qualified scholar or your local mosque.
About
About the Tawaf Guide tool
Tawaf is the act of walking seven times around the Kaaba with the Kaaba on your left. Sai is the walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa, also seven trips. Both are part of Umrah and Hajj, and the order matters: Tawaf comes first, then Sai.
This guide sets out what is needed before you start, the steps of each circuit, the duas many pilgrims recite, the kinds of Tawaf, and mistakes that are easy to make in a crowd. It also gathers some common scholarly notes, such as what to do if wudu breaks.
Views differ between schools of thought on some details. Use this guide to prepare, then follow the guidance of your Hajj group leader and a qualified scholar. If you are not sure about a particular case, ask before you travel and again on the spot.
How to use
How to use it
1
Prepare. Be in wudu, wear your ihram if it is Umrah or Hajj, and make the intention. Read the conditions section first.
2
Start at the Black Stone line. Face the Black Stone, make the intention and begin with the Kaaba on your left.
3
Complete seven circuits. Walk around the Kaaba seven times, keeping count. If unsure of the count, many scholars advise taking the lower number.
4
Pray two rakat. After Tawaf, pray two rakat behind the Station of Ibrahim if possible, or anywhere in the mosque if it is crowded.
5
Walk the Sai. Go to Safa and walk seven trips to Marwa, starting at Safa and ending at Marwa.
Example
A simple example
You enter
Umrah visitor after arriving in Makkah
You get
Tawaf: seven circuits, two rakat Sai: seven trips from Safa to Marwa Then trim or shave the hair to finish
Tips
Tips for good results
- Practise counting with a small counter or a tally on paper before you travel.
- Choose a less busy time of day if you are elderly or with children.
- Keep your voice low and be kind in the crowd. Do not push to reach the Black Stone.
- Keep a copy of the duas on your phone and read them in advance.
Common mistakes
- Starting Sai at Marwa instead of Safa.
- Losing count of circuits or trips and not asking someone to help.
- Walking through the Hijr (Hateem), which is not part of the Kaaba for Tawaf.
- Pushing others, or stopping for a long time in the flow of walkers.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need wudu for Tawaf?
Most scholars say Tawaf needs ritual purity. If you lose wudu during Tawaf, ask your scholar whether to renew it and continue or to start again.
Can I do Tawaf on an upper floor?
Many scholars accept Tawaf on the upper levels and on the roof. Ask a scholar about your own case.
Can Tawaf be done on behalf of someone else?
Some scholars allow it for a person who cannot perform it, with conditions. Ask a qualified scholar for the details.
Is Sai done before or after Tawaf?
Sai follows Tawaf. In Umrah the usual order is Tawaf, two rakat, then Sai.
What if I am not sure how many circuits I did?
Many scholars advise taking the lower number you are sure of and completing the rest. Ask your group scholar.
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