The Welcome Tawaf (Tawaf al-Qudum) and Sa’y are essential rituals performed by pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah when they first arrive at the Holy Mosque in Mecca. Here’s how these rituals are performed:
1. Preparation for Tawaf
- Purification: Before entering the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram), perform ablution (wudu). Ensure you are in a state of ritual purity.
- Intention (Niyyah): Make the intention in your heart to perform Tawaf for the sake of Allah.
2. Entering the Mosque
- Right Foot First: Enter the mosque with your right foot, reciting the du’a (prayer) for entering the mosque: “Bismillah, Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, Allahumma ighfir li dhunubi waftah li abwaba rahmatika” (In the name of Allah, O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad, O Allah, forgive my sins and open for me the doors of Your mercy).
- Kiswah: If possible, touch or kiss the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) at the beginning of your Tawaf, saying “Bismillah Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest). If it’s too crowded, simply point towards it with your right hand and say the same words.
3. Performing Tawaf
- Circumambulation: Begin your Tawaf by walking counterclockwise around the Kaaba seven times. Each time you pass the Black Stone, either touch it, kiss it, or point towards it while saying “Bismillah Allahu Akbar.”
- Supplications: During Tawaf, you can recite any supplications (du’as) you wish. There is no specific du’a required, but many pilgrims recite Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan waqina ‘adhaban-nar (Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire).
- Ramal: For men, it is Sunnah (tradition) to walk briskly with short steps (ramal) during the first three circuits, and to walk normally during the remaining four.
- End of Tawaf: After completing the seven rounds, approach the Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) and pray two rak’ahs (units of prayer). If the area is too crowded, you can pray anywhere within the mosque.
4. Performing Sa’y
- Start at Safa: After completing Tawaf, head to the Safa hill. While facing the Kaaba, make the intention to perform Sa’y. Recite the verse from the Qur’an: “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah” (Qur’an 2:158).
- Walking between Safa and Marwah: Walk from Safa to Marwah seven times, starting at Safa and ending at Marwah. This represents the search for water by Hagar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, for her son Isma’il.
- Running Between the Green Markers: For men, it is recommended to run briskly between the two green markers on the path, which mark the place where Hagar ran faster in her search.
- Supplications: Recite supplications and prayers during Sa’y, asking for Allah’s mercy and guidance. There are no specific prayers required, so you can choose any du’as.
5. Completion of Sa’y
- Final Du’a: Upon reaching Marwah for the seventh time, conclude Sa’y with a du’a, thanking Allah for the opportunity to complete the ritual.
- Haircut or Trimming: For Umrah, men shave their heads or trim their hair, while women trim a small portion (about a fingertip’s length) from the end of their hair. For Hajj, this step is performed later, after other rituals.
6. Completion
- End of Rituals: After completing the Welcome Tawaf and Sa’y, pilgrims continue with the remaining rites of Hajj or Umrah according to the prescribed sequence.
