TAWAAF OF CIRCUMAMBULATION AROUND KAABA

“And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21: 33)

This glorious Ayat (verse) refers to a scientific fact regarding the system of the universe. Scientific researches and discoveries have proved that we live in enormous universe that depends on revolution. The earth revolves around the sun once in a year, whereas the moon revolves around the earth once in lunar month, and the other remaining planets of the solar system also revolve around the sun, each in its own orbit. As all matter in the universe whether liquid, solid, or gaseous consists of atoms, it means that the law of revolution applies to everything: animals, stars, moons, planets, plants, seas, air, sand, and so on. Another picture of revolution is brought to a person mind is the pilgrim’s circumambulation or Tawaaf of the Kaaba, which is essential ritual of Hajj in Islam. Circumambulation the Kaaba is a representative act of worship; it indicates the Muslim’s utter submission to ALLAH Almighty alone. The pilgrims go to Hajj in response to the heavenly act that Prophet Ibraheem (AS) conveyed to people.ALLAH Almighty says in Holy Quran, verse 22:26-27:

“And (remember) when We showed Ibrahim the site of the (Sacred) House (the Kaaba at Makkah), saying: Ascribe not anything (in worship) with Me, and sanctify My House for those who tawaaf it, and those who stand up (for prayer), and those who bow (submit themselves with humility and obedience to ALLAH), and make prostration (in prayer). And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj).”

This signifies that the Kaaba is the spiritual and holy center of the Muslims. It refers to the close bond that must be between a believer and ALLAH. A Muslim turns toward the Kaaba five times a day while performing the prescribed ritual Namaz (Prayers). A pilgrim performs the Tawaaf of the Kaaba, Circumambulation or tawaaf of the Kaaba that is to be performed anti-clockwise. This shows that there is a joint feature between a pilgrim’s expressing his ultimate Imaan (faith) in ALLAH Almighty by circumambulation the Kaaba. This proves the truthfulness and honesty of the call of Islam that there is no god but ALLAH Almighty. Therefore, Islam is the true religion that provides all humanity with a comprehensive vision in conformity with the divine fact that is clear in the natural laws of the universe. Circumambulation or Tawaaf means to go round something. This act shows the greatest degree of love to the level that a lover desires to sacrifice himself for the beloved.