Question 539) - Explain how Tawaf should be performed.

A: He will begin by al-Hajar al-Aswad. He will face it and raise his hands when saying, "Allaahu Akbar." He will then say, La ilaha illAllaah," and place his hands on it [Istilam] and kiss it if he can do it without harming any Muslim. lf he cannot kiss it without harming a Muslim he will place his hands on it and kiss his hands. lf he cannot, then at least one hand and kiss it. The right hand is preferred. lf he cannot do that then he should touch the stone with something he is holding such as a staff, then kiss that object. lf he cannot do that he should stand in line with the stone and face it. He will raise his hands in line with his ears as at the time of Takbir, with his palms facing the Stone. He will be indicating as if he is placing his palms on the Stone. He will then kiss his palms. He will then move to the right of the Stone to the section where the Door of the Ka'bah is. He will keep the Ka'bah to his left and will pass on the outside of the Hatim. He will make Istilam of the Yemeni Corner when he reaches it. He will then again make Istilam of the Stone and kiss it. This is a complete single circuit. Seven circuits must be completed. Istilam of the Stone must be done as mentioned. The Tawaf begins and ends with Istilam of the Stone.

~ al-Quduri ~