Tawaf - An Islamic ritual

In Islamic tradition, Tawaf literally refers to the ritual of circumambulating the Kaaba (the holiest building in Makkah) seven times during the pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah.

The followers of Islam observe tawaf by walking around the Kaaba in an anti-clockwise direction four times at a brisk pace. The total number of laps in tawaf is seven and the remaining three are undertaken in a leisurely fashion in the clockwise direction.

The circling rite of tawaf mainly reflects the unity of the believers in the worship of the One God, as they together in tandem with each other irrespective of any distinction between them. The rite of tawaf owes its genesis to an important event in the life of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) wherein he himself had circled the Kaaba seven times. After the end of the circling rounds, the pilgrims visit the station of Ibrahim to pray two rak'ahs.

The tawaf rite, however, is not performed in a singular fashion. There are several forms/types to do it. They can be broadly classified as:  

Tawaf al-nisa – It is a second tawaf that is performed during Umrah. This type of tawaf is only recognised by Shia scholars.

Tawaf Qudoom - The 'Welcome tawaf'

Tawaf Tahiyah – It is the tawaf which is performed after entering the Masjid al-Haram.

Tawaf Umrah – It denotes tawaf performed specifically during Umrah.

Tawaf Widaa- It literally means the 'farewell tawaf.'