10. THE FAREWELL CIRCUMAMBULATION AND FINAL MEASURES
THE FAREWELL CIRCUMAMBULATION AND FINAL MEASURES
If one wishes to perform the ‘umrah, one may do so (i.e. enter ihram for it) from any point outside of the Sacred Precinct (Haram), as mentioned below in the description of ‘umrah.
THE FAREWELL CIRCUMBULATION
When one wants to return home, one comes to Mecca and performs the farewell circumambulation (tawaf al-wada’) (as is obligatory. It is disobedience to Allah to leave without the farewell circumambulation, and one must return to Mecca to perform it if still within 81 km. l50 mi. of it If farther than this, one is not obliged to return, but must slaughter (i.e. if one goes by the position that the farewell circumambulation is obligatory, though slaughtering is sunnah if one goes by the position (the weaker position in the Shafi’i school) that the farewell circumambulation is merely sunnah) .. The integrals and conditions of the farewell circumambulation are the same as the obligatory circumambulation.
The farewell circumambulation is not only for those performing hajj or ‘umrah, but is required from (i.e. obligatory for) anyone leaving Mecca a considerable distance, no matter whether intending to return or not).
After the farewell circumambulation, one prays two rak’as (a sunnah in our school) and stands at the place between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaaba, and supplicates: “0 Allah, the house is Your house, the servant Your servant and son of Your two servants. You have carried me on a creature You have made submissive to me, bringing me to Your city and showing me Your grace that I might fulfill Your rites. If You are pleased with me then be the more so, and if not, then bless me now before my residence and the place where I am visited grow far from Your house. Now is the time I depart if You permit me, who seek none but You and no other than Your house, and am not averse to You or Your house. O Allah, give me good health in body and protect me in my religion. Make my affairs turn out well and give me the sustenance of obedience to You as long as You let me live. Give me the best of this world and the next, for truly, You have power over everything.” One blesses the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), and then walks away normally (turning one’s back on the Kaaba) without backing away from it (0: while facing it, as many people do, which is offensive because it is a reprehensible innovation (bid’ah).
One then immediately prepares for departure. If one stops to stand (lengthily), or becomes involved in something unconnected with travel (like shopping. paying a debt, visiting a friend or sick person, and so forth), then one’s farewell circumambulation is invalid (though such things do not nullify it in the Hanafi school) and it is obligatory to repeat it. But if one’s activity concerns travelling, such as making one’s baggage fast or buying travel provisions and the like (such as a rope with which to tie up one’s baggage) then it is permissible.
A woman in her monthly period may depart without a farewell circumambulation, and need not slaughter in expiation (though it is sunnah for her to come to the door of the mosque and say the supplication mentioned above».
RECOMMENDED MEASURES FOR THOSE STAYING IN MECCA
It is recommended to do much of:
1. preforming ‘umrah (the whole time one is in Mecca, especially in Ramadan);
2. looking at the Kaaba (as it is said that Allah Most High sends down one hundred and twenty mercies day and night upon the Noble House, sixty for those circumambulating, forty for those praying there, and twenty for those looking at it);
3. drinking the water of the Well of Zamzam for whatever intention one wishes, religious or this-worldly (as the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.” It is sunnah to face the Kaaba while drinking, to breathe three times, and say “al-Hamdulillah” and “Bismillah” each time one drinks), drinking one’s fill of it;
4. and visiting the noble places of Mecca (which are many, such as the birthplace of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and that of ‘Ali (Allah be well pleased with him).
I t is unlawful to take the Slightest bit of the earth of the Sacred Precinct or its stones, or take cups or jugs made from the clay of the Sacred Precinct of Medina.
(Source: The reliance of the traveller, revised edition, Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller)
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