What Do We Recite During the 7 Rounds of Tawaf?
Performing Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’bah) is an integral part of Hajj and Umrah.
Every Muslim strives to get the most out of this endeavor by performing recitations and dhikr (ذِكْر) that can be both valuable and accepted by Allah.
This is the question we shall face: “What do we recite during the 7 rounds of Tawaf.” This article will guide you with essential duas alongside the importance of the Tawaf section to enhance your experience.
Understanding the Importance of Tawaf in Hajj and Umrah
What is Tawaf?
Tawaf is going around the Ka’bah 7 times in an anti-clockwise movement.
This act illustrates Muslims around the globe coming together in unison to worship Allah.
This is an essential practice while performing Hajj or Umrah, showing complete submission to Allah.
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The Spiritual Significance of Circumambulating the Kaaba
Muslims refer to these circumambulations as Tawaf.
Tawaf is performed around the Kaaba, Islam’s most revered site, and marks the very first pilgrimage undertaken by the Prophet Muhammad, blessings of Allah be upon Him.
It represents one of the sacred rituals and serves as a compelling reminder of the power of Allah, as well as the devotion of a reverent follower towards Him.
The Kaaba serves as a pinnacle of focus for Tawaf.
Alongside the Kaaba’s circumambulation, Muslims formulate wishes and seek forgiveness on the religiously significant Black Stone, ideally located in the Kaaba’s southern wall.
Tawaf serves as a powerful impetus to seek pardon for sins and remorse for diverging from the right path and forgetting the ultimate goal of life.
Tawaf in Relation to Other Islamic Rituals
The form of the Sa’i ritual comes after circumambulating Tawaf, where Muslims march from Safa to Marwah and back to Safa. Collectively, these two constitute the main rituals of Hajj or Umrah (الحج والعمرة).
Why Do We Perform Tawaf 7 Times?
The Significance of the Number Seven in Islam
The number seven holds deep spiritual meaning in Islam.
It represents completeness and perfection, as seen in the seven heavens, seven earths, and seven days of creation.
Seven, which is a concrete number in the Genesis cosmology and represents perfection, is widely accepted within Islamic Traditions to represent endless virtues.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Practice of Tawaf
As a symbol to be universally adopted by Muslims, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to perform Tawaf 7 times during pilgrimage.
Symbolic Meanings Behind the Seven Rounds
Each round of the Tawaf symbolizes a step towards God (Allah), a renewal of faith, and a reminder of the eternal nature of worship.
Where to Start Tawaf?
The Correct Starting Point of Tawaf (Black Stone Alignment)
Islamic pilgrimage performs Tawaf (الطواف), the circumambulation of the Kaaba (الكعبة). Tawaf starts and ends at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad).
If you’re not able to reach out and touch it, point to it with your right hand and proclaim “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest).
Rules for Beginning and Ending a Round Correctly
The Tawaf begins at the respective point, ‘Black Stone (حجر الاسود),’ which you should start from and end at; make sure you perform seven circuits and do not take a break.
Common Mistakes in Starting Tawaf
- Starting Tawaf from the wrong point.
- Skipping the intention (niyyah) before beginning.
- Not aligning with the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad).
What Do We Recite During the 7 Rounds of Tawaf?
General Supplications (Duas) for Tawaf
One does not have to stick to specific things to recite at every round.
General dua for Tawaf abound in Quranic references; stemming in any language or personal supplication is also accepted. Here are some duas worth mentioning:
- “SubhanAllah, walhamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wa Allahu Akbar”
(Glory be to Allah, all praise is for Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest). - “Rabbanā ātinā fid-dunyā hasanah wa fil-ākhirati hasanah wa qinā ‘adhāban-nār”
(Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire).
Recitation for Each of the Seven Rounds
1st Round: Seek guidance and blessings for your journey.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَهْدِيكَ بِهِدَايَتِكَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِذُنُوبِي، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرَّحْمَةَ وَالْعَفْوَ وَالْبَرَكَةَ
Transliteration:
Allahumma inni astahdika bihidayatika, wa astaghfiruka li dhunubi, wa as’aluka ar-rahmata wal-‘afwa wal-barakata.
Translation:
“O Allah, I seek Your guidance with Your divine light, I ask for forgiveness for my sins, and I request Your mercy, pardon, and blessings.”
Why recite this?
This dua sets the intention for Tawaf, seeking guidance, mercy, and forgiveness from Allah.
2nd Round: Ask for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ، وَارْحَمْنَا، وَتَقَبَّلْ تَوْبَتِي، وَطَهِّرْ قَلْبِي، وَثَبِّتْنِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
Transliteration:
Allahumma ighfir li wa li-walidayya, warhamna, wa taqabbal tawbati, wa tahhir qalbi, wa thabbitni ‘ala deenika.
Translation:
“O Allah, forgive me and my parents, have mercy on us, accept my repentance, purify my heart, and keep me steadfast on Your religion.”
Why recite this?
This round focuses on forgiveness, repentance, and staying firm on the right path.
3rd Round: Praising Allah and Expressing Gratitude
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ، مِلْءَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ
Transliteration:
Allahumma laka alhamdu hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fihi, mil’a as-samawati wal-ard wa mil’a ma shi’ta min shay’in ba‘d.
Translation:
“O Allah, all praise is for You, a praise that is abundant, pure, and full of blessings, filling the heavens, the earth, and whatever You will beyond that.”
Why recite this?
This round expresses gratitude to Allah for His countless blessings.
4th Round: Prayers for Protection and Safety
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ مَخْلُوقٍ، وَأَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ، وَاهْدِنِي إِلَى الصِّرَاطِ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ
Transliteration:
Allahumma ihfadhni min sharri kulli makhluqin, wa ajirni min an-naar, wahdini ila as-sirat al-mustaqeem.
Translation:
“O Allah, protect me from the evil of all creation, save me from Hellfire, and guide me to the straight path.”
Why recite this?
This dua asks Allah for protection from harm and guidance toward the right way.
5th Round: Asking for Provision and Blessings
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي رِزْقًا حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ لِنِعَمِكَ
Transliteration:
Allahumma urzuqni rizqan halal-an tayyiban wa barik li fihi, waj‘alni mina ash-shakireena li ni‘amika.
Translation:
“O Allah, grant me lawful, pure, and blessed sustenance, and make me among those who are grateful for Your blessings.”
Why recite this?
This dua asks for lawful provision, barakah, and gratitude.
6th Round: Seeking Strength and Steadfastness in Faith
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ، وَثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى طَاعَتِكَ، وَزِدْنِي إِيمَانًا وَيَقِينًا وَصَبْرًا
Transliteration:
Allahumma aj‘alni mina al-muttaqeen, wathabbit qalbi ‘ala ta‘atika, wa zidni imanan wa yaqeenan wa sabran.
Translation:
“O Allah, make me among the righteous, keep my heart firm in obedience to You, and increase me in faith, certainty, and patience.”
Why recite this?
This round asks for steadfastness, righteousness, and increased faith.
7th Round: A Final Plea for Acceptance and Divine Reward
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ طَوَافِي، وَاغْفِرْ ذُنُوبِي، وَاجْعَلْهُ حُجَّةً مَبْرُورَةً، وَاجْعَلْهُ سَبَبًا لِلْفَوْزِ بِالْجَنَّةِ
Transliteration:
Allahumma taqabbal tawafi, waghfir dhunubi, waj‘alhu hujjatan mabrurah, waj‘alhu sabab-an lil-fawzi bil-jannah.
Translation:
“O Allah, accept my Tawaf, forgive my sins, make it a righteous pilgrimage, and make it a reason for my entry into Jannah.”
Why recite this?
This final dua is a plea for acceptance of Tawaf, forgiveness, and entry into Jannah.
Best Duas During Tawaf
Talbiyah: The Essential Prayer During Hajj and Umrah
Recite the Talbiyah
Arabic:
لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ
Transliteration:
Labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Innal hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.
Translation:
“Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty belongs to You. You have no partner.”
- Declaration of Obedience: It is an affirmation that we have responded to Allah’s call and are ready to worship Him.
- Reminder of Monotheism: It emphasizes Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) by stating “Lā sharīka lak” (You have no partner).
- Act of Devotion: It was recited by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during Hajj and Umrah.
- Spiritual Readiness: It prepares the heart and mind for the journey of Hajj or Umrah and brings humility before Allah.
- Continuous Reward: Every repetition of Talbiyah brings immense rewards and spiritual elevation.
📢 Tip: Recite Talbiyah frequently, especially after entering Ihram (الإحرام), and reflect on its meaning for a deeper connection with Allah. 🤲✨
Quranic Verses to Recite While Performing Tawaf
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:201): Seek goodness in this world and the Hereafter.
- Surah Al-Imran (3:8): Ask for steadfastness in faith.
Recommended Personal Supplications (Dua) from Sunnah
- “Allahumma inni as’aluka al-afiyah” (O Allah, I ask You for well-being).
- “Allahumma ghfirli warhamni” (O Allah, forgive me and have mercy on me).
Common Mistakes in Tawaf and How to Avoid Them
- Entering Tawaf without the proper intention (niyyah).
- Performing Tawaf inside the Hijr Ismail.
- Pushing or rushing through the crowd.
- Specifying a particular supplication for each round without evidence.
- Engaging in unnecessary conversations or distractions.
What Happens If a Prayer Starts During Tawaf?
In this case, Salah starts whilst doing Tawaf stops and joins the prayer. You can continue after the prayer. The rounds done before the prayer are valid.
Can You Touch the Black Stone During Tawaf?
Of course, feeling or kissing the Black Stone is Sunnah.
If the people are too many, then it is ok to just point at it and say, “Allahu Akbar.”
What Makes Tawaf Invalid?
- Breaking Wudu (الوضوء) during Tawaf.
- Skipping a round.
- Performing Tawaf in the wrong direction.
Can a Menstruating Woman Perform Tawaf?
A woman on her period cannot do Tawaf.
She must remain unclean until she purifies herself before completing the ritual.
Duas to Recite During Sa’i (Between Safa and Marwah)
- “Inna s-Safa wal-Marwah min sha’irillah” (Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah).
- “Rabbi ghfir warham innaka antal a’azzul akram” (O Lord, forgive and have mercy, for You are the Most Mighty, the Most Generous).
7 Essential Duas for Tawaf: Step-by-Step Guide
- Begin with Bismillah and Allahu Akbar.
- Recite Talbiyah and Quranic verses.
- Make personal supplications for each round.
- End with gratitude and a plea for acceptance.
Can You Wear Socks During Tawaf?
Yes, wearing socks during Tawaf is allowed, even while in Ihram.
Conclusion: The Spiritual Journey of Tawaf
Tawaf is more than a physical act; it’s a journey of the soul.
You can recite relevant supplications and focus on Allah to truly transform the experience of your Tawaf.
FAQs
What do we recite during the 7 rounds of Tawaf?
You can recite general or specific Quranic verses and even personal prayers.
Why is Tawaf performed 7 times?
The seven is considered balance and is done in the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).
What are the best duas for Tawaf?
The best ones are Talbiyah, verses of the Quran, and supplications made by a person.
Where do I start Tawaf?
Begin at the Black Stone and align yourself correctly
What are common mistakes in Tawaf?
Begin without intention, shoulder charging through people, or mentioning Dua, which has no evidence.
Additional Recommendations
- Use a Tawaf guidebook or app for easy reference.
- Practice supplications before your journey.
- Stay patient and focused during crowded times.
By following this guide, you can ensure your Tawaf is both spiritually fulfilling and aligned with Islamic teachings.
May Allah accept your efforts and grant you a blessed journey!
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