Step-by-Step Tawaf Guide
Important: Direction
Always walk counter-clockwise with the Kaaba on your left.
💡 Tip:: When it is busy: walk a wider ring or move to an upper floor. Never push towards the Black Stone.
Enter Masjid al-Haram
Proceed towards the Kaaba and enter the holy mosque.
💡 Tip:: Upon entering, say: 'Allāhumma iftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatik'
Start at the Black Stone
Begin your Tawaf by pointing to or touching the Black Stone (if possible).
💡 Tip:: Say: 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar wa lillahi alhamd'
Make du'a while walking
Pray, ask for forgiveness, and make du'a in your own language or Arabic.
💡 Tip:: No specific du'as are mandatory, speak from your heart.
Say between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone
Between these two corners of the Kaaba, say the following du'a.
💡 Tip:: 'Rabbanaa ātinaa fid-dunyaa hasanah wa fil-ākhirati hasanah wa qinaa 'adhāban-nār'
Return to the Black Stone
A complete circuit is when you return to the Black Stone.
💡 Tip:: Point to the Black Stone again and say 'Allahu Akbar'
Repeat 7 times
Perform this circuit 7 times to complete your Tawaf.
💡 Tip:: Use the counter below to keep track!
Go to Maqam Ibrahim
After 7 circuits, go to the Station of Ibrahim for a 2 rak'ah prayer.
💡 Tip:: If it is too crowded, pray elsewhere in the Haram mosque.
Drink Zamzam water
Drink from the holy Zamzam water and make du'a.
💡 Tip:: Drink with your right hand and ask Allah for blessings.
Black Stone:
Starting and ending point
Bab as-Salam:
Main entrance
Green lights:
On the wall opposite the Black Stone; marks where a circuit begins
Maqam Ibrahim:
For prayer after Tawaf
There is no longer a line on the floor of the Mataaf. That black marble line was removed because pilgrims slowed down and looked at it, which caused congestion. So look for the green light on the wall, not for something on the ground.
Your tawaf is valid anywhere in Masjid al-Haram, including the upper floors and the roof. The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwa confirmed this explicitly, precisely with crowding in mind.
Best Times for Tawaf
Quiet Times
- 1-3 hours after Fajr prayer
- Between Dhuhr and Asr
- Late evening (after Isha)
- Weekdays (not weekend)
Busy Times (avoid)
- Just before and after prayer times
- Friday evening to Saturday evening
- Holidays and school vacations
- Ramadan
Tawaf Counter
Start your Tawaf
Tap to count a circuit
Start of Tawaf
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ
Transliteration
Bismi llāhi wa llāhu akbar.
Translation
In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.