Step 2: Tawaf

Tawaf is seven complete circuits around the Kaaba, keeping it on your left, beginning and ending at the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad). You need wudu for tawaf.

Before you start

• Idtibaʿ (men): pass the upper sheet under your right arm and over your left shoulder, uncovering the right shoulder. This applies only during this tawaf.
• Find the starting line: face the Black Stone corner. A green light on the wall of the mosque opposite it marks the line.

How to perform tawaf

1. Make the intention

   Intend in your heart to perform tawaf for your Umrah.

2. Begin at the Black Stone (istilam)

   Face it and touch or kiss it if you can do so without harming anyone. Otherwise raise your right hand towards it, say the takbir, and begin walking.

3. Circle counter-clockwise

   Walk with the Kaaba on your left. Each return to the Black Stone line completes one circuit; raise your hand and say the takbir each time.

4. Raml (men, first three circuits)

   Walk briskly with short steps for the first three circuits, if the crowd allows, then walk normally for the last four.

5. Supplicate freely

   There is no fixed dua for each circuit. Use your own words, in any language, along with dhikr and Quran.

6. Complete seven circuits

   If you lose count, build on the number you are sure of.

Between the Yemeni Corner (the corner before the Black Stone) and the Black Stone, recite:

After the seventh circuit

Cover your right shoulder again. Go towards Maqam Ibrahim, recite the verse, and pray two short rakʿahs behind it. If it is crowded, pray anywhere in the mosque.

Then drink Zamzam. Coolers are everywhere in the mosque. Face the Kaaba if you can and ask for whatever you need.