Delaying a Bit after Farewell Tawaaf for Hajj

26-2-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

We performed Hajj this year. On the 12 of Dhul Hijjah, we arrived to Mecca to perform Tawaf Alwada'. Right after the end of the Zuhr prayer, and the people in charge of our group told us that the buses will leave right after the 'Asr prayer. So we performed Tawaf Alwada' first and we were finished with it about an hour before 'Asr, so we waited around and prayed 'Asr and then left on the buses right after.My question is, Is it OK that we had to wait after performing Tawaf Alwada', since our buses were scheduled to depart right after the 'Asr prayer, and if not, What can we do to fullfil our hajj?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The Farewell Tawaaf is an obligation upon the one who performs Hajj according to the view of the majority of the Muslim scholars. The Prophet said: “None of you should leave Makkah before performing Taawaf around the Ka'bah as the last of Hajj rites.” [Muslim]

However, staying for a while waiting one's companions, or preparing his riding camel, luggage, or purchasing provisions that are needed in one’s journey after the Farewell Tawaaf is permissible. It does not cause any harm.

Imam An-Nawawi said: “It is better to perform the Farewell Tawaaf after finishing all tasks. And it is better to depart from Makkah right after making the Farewell Tawaaf. If one delays his departure from Makkah after the Tawaaf and the delay was not for any legal reason, and it was not to prepare for the journey, such as purchasing necessary provisions, or paying back a debt, or visiting a friend or a sick person, etc.; if the delay was not for such reasons, then one should repeat the Tawaaf.”

Therefore, your Tawaaf was correct because you were a little bit late in departing from Makkah for a legal excuse.

Allah knows best.