Are the two Rakat after Tawaf Nafl or Wajib?

The two Rakat after Tawaf are not Nafl, they are Wajib. It is of critical importance to make the correct intention when praying Salah. These two Wajib Rakat can be prayed anywhere in the Holy Masjid.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ إِذَا طَافَ فِي الحَجِّ أَوِ العُمْرَةِ، أَوَّلَ مَا يَقْدَمُ سَعَى ثَلاَثَةَ أَطْوَافٍ، وَمَشَى أَرْبَعَةً، ثُمَّ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ يَطُوفُ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالمَرْوَةِ

(Sayidina) Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah Most High be pleased with them both) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform the circumambulation (Tawaf) for Hajj or Umrah immediately upon arrival. He ﷺ used to hasten during the first three rounds (Ramal). And he ﷺ walked in (the other) four rounds. Then he ﷺ would perform two prostrations (pray Two Rakahs). Thereafter, he ﷺ would perform circumambulation between as-Safa and al-Marwah (perform Saee).’ (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1616).

Unfortunately, many people travel for Hajj or Umrah without having studied the related rulings with credible teachers. Due to this, they make significant mistakes. The two Rakat after Tawaf are Wajib, not Nafl. It is absolutely necessary to differentiate between the intention of a Wajib prayer and a Nafl prayer.

وَهَاتَانِ الرَّكْعَتَانِ عِنْدَ الْفَرَاغِ مِنْ الطَّوَافِ وَاجِبٌ. (المبسوط)

These Two Rakah that are prayed after completing Tawaf are Wajib. (Imam al-Sarakhsi, al-Mabsoot).

(ثُمَّ يَأْتِي الْمَقَامَ فَيُصَلِّي عِنْدَهُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ أَوْ حَيْثُ تَيَسَّرَ مِنْ الْمَسْجِدِ وَهِيَ وَاجِبَةٌ عِنْدَنَا. (الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي)

Then he comes to the Maqam and prays Two Rakah there, or wherever is easy within the Masjid. And they (the Two Rakah) are Wajib with us. (Imam al-Marghinani, al-Hidaayah).

(ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَوْ حَيْثُ تَيَسَّرَ لَهُ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ)

وَهِيَ وَاجِبَةٌ. (الاختيار لتعليل المختار)

Then he prays Two Rakahs at the Maqam of (Sayidina) Ibrahim (peace be upon him), or wherever is easy within the Masjid. And they (the Two Rakahs) are Wajib with us. (Imam al-Mowsili, al-Ikhtiyaar).

يَجِبُ) بِالْجِيمِ عَلَى الصَّحِيحِ (بَعْدَ كُلِّ أُسْبُوعٍ عِنْدَ الْمَقَامِ) حِجَارَةٌ ظَهَرَ فِيهَا أَثَرُ قَدَمَيْ الْخَلِيلِ (أَوْ غَيْرِهِ مِنْ الْمَسْجِدِ))

قَوْلُهُ عِنْدَ الْمَقَامِ) عِبَارَةُ اللُّبَابِ خَلْفَ الْمَقَامِ قَالَ: وَالْمُرَادُ بِهِ مَا يَصْدُقُ عَلَيْهِ عَادَةً وَعُرْفًا مَعَ الْقُرْبِ. (رد المحتار على الدر المختار))

Imam al-Haskafi: It is Wajib, with a Jeem, (to pray Two Rakahs) after every seven rounds (Tawaf) at the Maqam (a stone upon which the footprints of al-Kahlil are apparent). This is according to the sound opinion. He can also pray anywhere else within the Masjid.

Imam Ibn Abideen: His saying at the Maqam, in al-Lubaab he said behind the Maqam. He said, what is meant by it is that which is considered in custom, whilst being close to it. (Radd al-Muhtaar ala Durr al-Mukhtaar).

As seen in the Nusoos (texts) above, it is not necessary to pray these Two Wajib Rakahs behind Maqam Ibrahim, rather anywhere in the Masjid is fine. Therefore, people should not insist upon praying behind the Maqam if it impedes others when they are making Tawaf.

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

– Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (25.05.2022)

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