What Can I Do During the Crowded Tawaf?

What can I do during the crowded tawaf?

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

May Allah, Most High reward you for your desire to increase in knowledge.

Undoubtedly, The Masjid al-Haram in Mecca is quite crowded during the Hajj season. The area around the Ka’ba where the majority of Muslims desire to make tawaf is most crowded.

Our advice is to not focus on the creation during tawaf but rather on our Creator. Tawaf is a time to focus all of one’s mind, heart, and body in the remembrance of Allah, Most High. Invoking, supplicating, and seeking his forgiveness.

It is a time of absolute humility, as the opportunity of Hajj is in fact an invitation from Allah, Most High.

Allah, Most High says: “And We entrusted Abraham and Ishmael to purify My House for those who circle it, who meditate in it, and who bow and prostrate themselves in prayer.” [Qur’an, 2:125]

When making tawaf, we are those very individuals who Allah, Most High commanded his Prophets to prepare the house for!

It is the job of the Masjid al-Haram security to ensure that nothing prohibited takes place during tawaf. If one notices something prohibited going on, they should immediately point it out to the guards.

If one cannot focus and still feels nervous making tawaf near the Ka’ba, they should instead perform tawaf on the upper levels where it is less crowded.

Remember that everyone making tawaf desires the same thing: The Absolute Mercy of Allah, Most High.

And Allah alone knows best,

[Ustadh] Omar Popal

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani