TAWAF

TAWAF. means going round the Ka'ba, seven times in the prescribed manner after performing Wudu and with the Niyat  of ibadat (worship of Allah). Each of the seven circuits is called SHAUT. Tawaf takes the place of Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid, and Tawaf  is held to be letter than Nafl prayers. One can perform other acts of worship anywhere in the world; but Tawaf can only be performed around the Holy Ka'ba n Mecca. Labbaik is stopped when Tawaf is commenced. There are several kinds of Tawaf :-(a) Tawaf-i-Ziyarat also called Tawaf-i-Ifada or Tawaf-i-Rukn is a component (Rukn) of Hajj and is obligatory (fard) and must be performed between the Subh Sadiq(real dawn) of 10th Zilhij and upto and  including the 12th Zilhij. (b) Tawaf-i-Umra is obligatory (fard) for those performing 'Umra. It must be performed with Ramal and idtiba and before the performance of Sa'yi. (c) Tawaf-i-Wida' or Tawaf-i-Sadr. This is the Tawaf performed at the time of departure and is Wajib for Afaqis, i.e. all those living outside the Mawaqit. (d) Tawaf-i-Qudum is the Tawaf performed on entering Masjid-il-Haram by those Afaqis who perform  Hajj by the method of Ifrad or Qiran. It is Sunnat . (e) Tawaf-un-Nafl. Any Tawaf, other than the the preceding four categories, is called a Nafli Tawaf. There is no restriction as to time or number of such Nafli Tawafs, but all must be performed after Wudu and Niyat and in the prescribed manner.

HAJR-I-ASWAD is a small black Stone built into the south-eastern corner of Baitullah at a height of some four feet. The stone has a silver frame around it. According to tradition, this precious stone originally came from paradise and was milky white and has become black because of the sins of the people. Mention of this has been made earlier. This holy stone was touched and kissed by Ibrahim (A.S) and by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). Its kissing is symbolical  of our love of Allah and our resolve to obey Him in all matters. 'Hazrat Umar (R.A), while kissing the Hajr-i-Aswad, once said :- ''Verily I know that thou art a stone ; thou dost no good or harm in the world ; and if it was not that i saw the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) kiss thee, I would not kiss thee''.

ISTILAM. The act of kissing the Hajr-i-Aswad is called Istilam. The Palms of both hands are placed on it, with the face between the two palms, and the stone is kissed gently in such a way that no sound is emitted. If, owing to the crowd, it is not possible to kiss the stone in this manner, it may merely be touched with the right hand and the hand kissed ; or it may be touched with a stick, or if that is not possible, one may simply make a sign, by raising the two palms towards the Hajr-i-Aswad and kissing the palms. Each Tawaf starts from the Hajr-i-Aswad.