30. Kinds Of Tawaf

There are three kinds of tawaf for Hajj: 

1. Tawafal-Qudum: 
This tawaaf is performed upon arrival in Makkah. If one precedes his hajj with umrah serves as that of arrival [qudum].

In this tawaf the pilgrim should keep his right arm and shoulder bare by passing the top wrapping of the ihram under the right armpit and covering the left shoulder with both ends. This is called idhtiba.

The first three circuits should be completed walking at a big brisk pace with short steps [if possible]. This is called ramal.

The remaining four circuit should be completed by walking normally. However, neither ramal nor idhtiba is prescribed for women.

It is better to perform tawaf near the walls of the Ka'bah, but if this is not possible to a large numbers of people, then bigger circuit should be made to avoid pushing and crowding.

2. Tawaf al- Ifadhah: 
This tawaf is performed preferably on the 10th of Dhul-Hajjah  after completing the devotional act of rami [the throwing of the pebbles at the largest jamrah], and nahr,[the sacrifice of an animal], and halk [the shaving of the head]. Idhtiba and ramal are not observed in this tawaf.

3.Tawaf al- Wada: 
This tawaf, the farewell tawaf, is to be performed at the time of the pilgrim's departure from Makkah. It is the last devotional act the pilgrimage.

Two other kinds of tawaf are that which is part of umrah and voluntary tawaf, made at anytime. Upon entering al-Masjid al- Haram the sunnah is to perform is to perform tawaf rather than the two rak'ahs of "tahiyyat al- masjid", whenever this is possible.