Understanding the Rituals of Tawaf During Umrah

Umrah pilgrimage requires pilgrims to perform a set of specific tasks in a particular condition. These requisites of Umrah are necessary to make your holy trip valid and complete. Among the many rites of minor pilgrimage that pilgrims offer, Tawaf is an essential one.

Tawaf’s history goes back to thousands of years ago. It is a kind of worship that has remained in practice for quite long. However, after Islam, the meaning of Tawaf as well as it’s conditions became different. If you are travelling with all-inclusive Cheap Umrah packages or performing Hajj, Tawaf is the primary ritual of both the pilgrimages.

Here’s what you need to understand about the rituals of Tawaf during Umrah.

Meaning of Tawaf

Tawaf is an Arabic word that means ‘to encircle’. In the Islamic context, Tawaf refers to the act of walking around the Holy Kaabah present in Masjid-al-Haram. For the Tawaf of Umrah, pilgrims need to be very careful and specific because one mistake can make your Tawaf Invalid.

When to perform Tawaf?

Pilgrims of Umrah can only perform Tawaf after entering the state of Ihram from Meeqat region. There are five different Meeqat stations at all corners of Makkah. Therefore, one must know of the relevant Meeqat region as per their region of travel. Namely;

Dhu’l Hulaifah.
Al-Juhfah.
Qarn-al manazil.
Yalamlam.
Dhat `Irq.

In order to assume Ihram for Tawaf of Umrah, pilgrims need to trim unnecessary body hair, clip nails, and perform Ghusl. Plus, Ihram clothes are also necessary to wear.

For men, Ihram consists of two white colored sheets of unstitched fabric. On the other hand, women can wear anything stitched and modest for their Ihram.

Though one can also perform Tawaf in ordinary clothes (voluntary Tawaf). For Tawaf of Umrah, a pilgrim needs to complete all of the above requisites.

Where to perform Tawaf?

Tawaf can only be performed within the premises of Masjid-al-Haram around Holy Kaabah. Know that Hateem (Hijr Ismail) is also a part of Holy Kaaba’s original foundation. While performing Tawaf with December Umrah Packages from UK, a pilgrim must not enter this area as it would make the Tawaf Invalid.

If your view of Holy Kaabah gets restricted due to architectural elements or being above the ground level, your Tawaf remains valid.

Upon entering Masjid-al-Haram, pilgrims should stop reciting Talbiyah. Then placing your right foot in, make the Ibitda and start circumambulating around Holy Kaabah.

During Tawaf, keep Holy Kaabah remains on your left and side i.e. perform it in an anticlockwise direction. Each round of Tawaf must start/end at the place of Hajar-al-Aswad present in Yemeni corner of Holy Kaabah.

If it’s possible Isitilam (kissing the black stone) is advisable. However, if there’s a huge crowd, you can do hand gesture for it as well, it’s permissible.

Men should uncover their right shoulder during Tawaf by placing Rida cloth underarm. Also, male pilgrims should do Raml (walking at fast pace) for the first three rounds of Tawaf. Women, on the other hand, have no such obligation.

Salat-al-Ihram

After the seven rounds of Tawaf are complete, pilgrims must move towards Maqam-e-Ibrahim to offer Salat-al-Ihram. If you cannot find a place, you can offer 2 Rakat of Salat-al-Ihram anywhere near it. After the Salah, pilgrims should go and drink Zamzam water. This marks the completion of Tawaf rituals with your all-inclusive Cheap Umrah packages from UK.

Specific Guidelines of Tawaf

It’s prohibited for men to cover their feet, ankles and head during Tawaf rituals.
If one feels tired or needs a break during Tawaf rituals, he/she can easily do so. You can stop your Tawaf rituals for a short break and then resume from the exact place where you left off.
For women, it’s not allowed to cover their face and hands while performing Tawaf of Umrah.
It’s necessary to be in state of absolute physical purity to perform Tawaf. Take Ghusl and make wudhu as necessary. Wear neat and clean clothes.
Menstruating women cannot offer Tawaf.
During Tawaf rituals, make sure that your Awrah is covered as per the Islamic rules.
Do not engage in idle talk while performing Tawaf. Instead, recite specific Duas and supplicate to Allah Almighty.

That’s how you should perform Tawaf rituals with December Umrah Packages from UK or any other time of the year.