Since tawaf means going round the Kaaba, must it be done seven times for each of the three occasions when it is required? Could it be enough to do one round? (S. Abd Al-Rahim)
The reader is starting from the linguistic meaning of the word tawaf. Before we state whether this is linguistically acceptable or not, we need to bear in mind that the tawaf is a duty of pilgrimage clearly stated in the Qur’an: “Let them complete the rites prescribed for them, fulfill their vows, and again walk around the Ancient House.” (22: 29) This Verse occurs in the passage speaking about the pilgrimage in the Surah entitled Al-Hajj, or the Pilgrimage. The mode of speech indicated in English by the words “let them” is even stronger in the original Arabic form. In fact, this is expressed in the imperative mode. The final phrase, “walk around the Ancient House”, uses the verbal form of tawaf. All this indicates that the tawaf is an essential part of the pilgrimage.
How do we do it? We have to follow the Prophet’s example. We know that during his pilgrimage, the Prophet did the tawaf three times: on arrival, after attendance at Arafat, and before departing from Makkah. Each time, he walked around the Kaaba seven times, starting at the point of the Black Stone, then moving in an anticlockwise direction, and finishing at the Black Stone. He did not approve of any lesser number of rounds. Therefore, this is the tawaf we have to do. We cannot do it in any other fashion.
It has to be pointed out though that the first tawaf, i.e. the one on arrival is a Sunnah, i.e. recommended which means that it does not affect the validity of the pilgrimage if it is omitted. The one before departure is a duty that can be compensated for, if omitted, by slaughtering a sheep and distributing its meat to the poor. The middle one is an essential duty of pilgrimage, without which the pilgrimage remains incomplete. It cannot be compensated for in any way.
Can the tawaf be made easier? Yes, indeed, but it requires better education for all pilgrims as well as careful organization on the part of the authorities to ensure easier traffic movement and better crowd management.
How long should the pilgrims stay at Arafat? Everyone insists on not leaving before sunset. A shorter stay could ensure easier movement of traffic.
All pilgrims must attend at Arafat on 9 Dhul-Hijjah. The time of attendance extends from midday to dawn on the following day. It is very important to ensure that one attends for a part of the day and a part of the night. Hence, no one tries to leave before sunset. Having said that, we must point out that if a pilgrim cannot reach Arafat before sunset, and arrives during the night, his attendance is valid and his pilgrimage is complete, provided that he does the other duties properly.
This is clearly outlined by the Prophet. One of his companions joined him at Muzdalifah, saying that he left his far away home intending to do the pilgrimage, declaring his intention every time his route took him uphill or down a valley, but could only catch up with the Prophet and his companions at Muzdalifah. The Prophet said to him: “If a person aims to do the pilgrimage and attends at Arafat for a short period of day or night, then offers the dawn prayer at Muzdalifah, his pilgrimage is complete and valid.”
Attendance at Arafat does not constitute much of a problem, because the area is large enough to accommodate twice the number of pilgrims, or even more. The difficulty arises when the pilgrims leave, because of the great numbers and the volume of traffic.
The Saudi authorities continue to study the ways and means to deal with this problem. It has been mentioned that a train service running between the areas where the pilgrimage duties are offered will be provided. This could be greatly helpful in ensuring easier movement.
