Mandatory To Perform Tawaf Wada Before Leaving Makkah - TH

By Nurliyana Farhah Ruslan

MAKKAH, June 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysian pilgrims are reminded not to leave Makkah before performing the mandatory ‘tawaf wada’ as the last ritual of Hajj where pilgrims go round the Kaaba seven times before leaving the holy site of Makkah.

Tabung Haji (TH) guidance operations director, Shahrin Awaludin said that according to Imam Syafie's view, it is sinful and subject to a fine, especially for those performing the hajj.

"Although there are differences of opinion, TH adopts the Hajj Muzakarah Resolution and Malaysian pilgrims are required to perform the farewell ‘tawaf' when leaving the holy site of Makkah more than two marhalas which is about 80-100 kilometres.

"Considering that many of our pilgrims are coming for the first time and we have come from far away, we may not come again after this. That is why it is very important for pilgrims to perform the farewell tawaf," he said when met by the media recently.

Shahrin said that among the individuals who are exempted from performing the farewell tawaf are women pilgrims who are menstruating and pilgrims who are ill or sick in accordance with the relaxation set by syarak, however, for those who do not have such obstacles, they are obliged to pay ‘dam tertib dan taqdir’ (fine) for skipping the ritual. 

Shahrin also explained that the farewell tawaf must be performed within eight hours before leaving Makkah to ensure that it is done in a calm and unhurried manner.

In addition, Shahrin explained that the TH Hajj Guidance team also held special briefings and review sessions to help pilgrims understand and perform the farewell tawaf perfectly.

He said that the farewell tawaf can be performed without wearing ihram clothes, while male pilgrims can perform it wearing normal clothes.

"It is enough to perform seven rounds around the Kaaba with the intention of tawaf "Wada'. This is a closing worship that symbolises farewell to the House of Allah and is the last practice before the pilgrims leave for their homeland," he said.

-- BERNAMA