The Two-Rakaat Prayer After Tawaf Behind Maqam Ibrahim: Ruling, Recitation, and How to Perform It

After completing seven rounds of tawaf, you will see many pilgrims heading to a small glass-domed structure near the Kaaba to pray two rakaat. This is the prayer after tawaf, performed behind Maqam Ibrahim, following the example of the Messenger of Allah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

However, when Masjid al-Haram is very crowded, the area behind Maqam Ibrahim is almost always full. Pilgrims then ask: what is the ruling of this prayer, which surahs are recited, may it be prayed elsewhere, and what if you finish tawaf right after Fajr or Asr?

This article summarizes the explanations of Ustadz Ammi Nur Baits at KonsultasiSyariah.com, Ustadz Prasetyo Abu Ka’ab and Ustadz Yulian Purnama at Muslim.or.id, and Ustadz Muhammad Abduh Tuasikal at Rumaysho.com, complete with evidence and practical tips for umrah pilgrims.

1. What Is the Prayer After Tawaf?

The prayer after tawaf is a two-rakaat prayer performed each time a person completes seven rounds of tawaf. It is prayed after the tawaf of umrah, the tawaf of hajj, and voluntary tawaf alike.

The place shown by the Messenger of Allah is behind Maqam Ibrahim, the stone on which Prophet Ibrahim ‘alaihissalam stood, which now sits inside a small glass-domed structure on the eastern side of the Kaaba. So Maqam Ibrahim lies between the person praying and the Kaaba.

2. The Evidence for Praying Behind Maqam Ibrahim

Allah Ta’ala says:

وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى

Meaning: “And take the station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 125)

Ibn Umar radhiyallahu ‘anhuma reported that after tawaf, the Messenger of Allah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam prayed two rakaat behind Maqam Ibrahim:

وَصَلَّى خَلْفَ الْمَقَامِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ

Meaning: “And he prayed two rakaat behind the Maqam.” (HR. Bukhari no. 1700 and Muslim no. 1234)

Jabir bin Abdillah radhiyallahu ‘anhu also reported in his long hadith about the Prophet’s hajj that when he reached Maqam Ibrahim, he recited the verse above, then prayed two rakaat reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas and Surah Al-Kafirun (HR. Muslim no. 1218).

3. The Ruling of the Prayer After Tawaf: Obligatory or Sunnah?

Scholars differ. Some hold that it is obligatory. Shaykh Muhammad Umar Bazmul states that these two rakaat must be prayed after every seven rounds of tawaf (Bughyatu Al-Mutathawwi’, p. 150).

Other scholars consider it sunnah. Ibn Qudamah states in Al-Mughni (3/347) that it is recommended for the person who performs tawaf to pray two rakaat afterwards.

Whatever the difference, the Messenger of Allah always prayed it after tawaf. So do not leave the prayer after tawaf as long as you are able to perform it.

4. Surahs to Recite in the Prayer After Tawaf

It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rakaat and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second, after Al-Fatihah. This is based on the hadith of Jabir above, which mentions that the Messenger of Allah recited these two surahs in the two rakaat behind Maqam Ibrahim (HR. Muslim no. 1218).

The same hadith also mentions that the Prophet recited the verse “wattakhidzu min maqami Ibrahima mushalla” when he reached Maqam Ibrahim, before praying.

Keep the prayer light, then make room for other pilgrims. You can read about what to recite during tawaf in our article on supplications during tawaf.

5. May You Pray After Tawaf Away from Maqam Ibrahim?

Yes. Ustadz Prasetyo Abu Ka’ab at Muslim.or.id explains that praying behind Maqam Ibrahim is sunnah. If it is not possible because of crowding, or because it would disturb others, the prayer after tawaf may be performed anywhere in Masjid al-Haram.

Ibn Qudamah confirms that a prayer performed elsewhere is still valid. Umar bin Al-Khattab radhiyallahu ‘anhu once even prayed it at Dhi Tuwa, outside Masjid al-Haram.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih Al-Uthaymin even warned against praying right behind Maqam Ibrahim when people need that space for tawaf (Fatawa Ulama Al-Balad Al-Haram, p. 220). Insisting on praying there when it is crowded is a form of wrongdoing, because it blocks pilgrims who are performing tawaf.

6. May You Pray After Tawaf During the Forbidden Times?

Many pilgrims finish tawaf after Fajr or after Asr, times in which voluntary prayers are normally forbidden outside Makkah. Ustadz Ammi Nur Baits at KonsultasiSyariah.com explains the evidence, namely the saying of the Messenger of Allah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam narrated by Jubair bin Mut’im radhiyallahu ‘anhu:

يَا بَنِى عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ لاَ تَمْنَعُوا أَحَدًا طَافَ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ وَصَلَّى أَيَّةَ سَاعَةٍ شَاءَ مِنْ لَيْلٍ أَوْ نَهَارٍ

Meaning: “O Banu Abd Manaf, do not prevent anyone from performing tawaf around this House and praying at any hour he wishes, by night or by day.” (HR. An-Nasa’i no. 592 and At-Tirmidhi no. 877, graded sahih by Shaykh Al-Albani)

Based on this hadith, Imam Ash-Shafi’i, Imam Ahmad, and Ishaq held that there is no harm in performing tawaf and praying after Asr or after Fajr. Imam An-Nawawi states that according to the Shafi’i school, praying in Makkah at these times is not disliked, whether it is the prayer after tawaf or another voluntary prayer (Al-Majmu’, 4/179). Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Baz also said there is no problem with it (Majmu’ Fatawa, 11/291).

Imam Malik and Sufyan Ath-Thawri held that the prayer should be delayed until sunset or sunrise, based on the action of Umar, who delayed his prayer until the sun had risen. The first view is stronger and is held by the Shafi’i school, which most Indonesian Muslims follow.

7. Should You Touch Maqam Ibrahim?

No. Some pilgrims wipe the glass or the structure of Maqam Ibrahim seeking blessing. Shaykh Abdurrahman Al-Barrak, in a fatwa translated by Ustadz Yulian Purnama at Muslim.or.id, explains that Allah has not prescribed wiping any part of the Kaaba other than the two Yamani corners, and that the Messenger of Allah did not wipe Maqam Ibrahim. He only prayed two rakaat near it.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah also explained that Maqam Ibrahim is not to be wiped (Majmu’ Al-Fatawa, 5/289). The blessing of this place is gained by performing the acts of worship prescribed there, such as tawaf and prayer.

8. Tips for the Prayer After Tawaf When Masjid al-Haram Is Crowded

• Do not force your way behind Maqam Ibrahim when the area is full. Praying in any open space in Masjid al-Haram is still valid.
• Step out of the tawaf path first before praying, so you do not block pilgrims who are still circling.
• Memorize Surah Al-Kafirun and Surah Al-Ikhlas before you travel, since both are recited in this prayer.
• Still pray even if you finish tawaf after Fajr or Asr, because according to the Shafi’i school praying in Masjid al-Haram at those times is not disliked.
• Stay with your group and agree on a meeting point with your guide before tawaf, because pilgrims easily get separated while looking for a place to pray.

Besides Maqam Ibrahim, another area near the Kaaba where pilgrims often pray is Hijr Ismail. You can read its rules in our article on Hijr Ismail during umrah.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Prayer After Tawaf

What is the ruling of the prayer after tawaf? Scholars differ between obligatory and sunnah. The Messenger of Allah always performed it, so do not leave it.

Which surahs are recited in the prayer after tawaf? Al-Kafirun in the first rakaat and Al-Ikhlas in the second, after Al-Fatihah.

Must you pray exactly behind Maqam Ibrahim? No. That is best when there is space, but when it is crowded you may pray anywhere in Masjid al-Haram.

May you pray after tawaf following Fajr or Asr? Yes, according to the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, based on the hadith of Jubair bin Mut’im.

May you wipe Maqam Ibrahim to seek blessing? It is not prescribed. The Messenger of Allah did not wipe it; he only prayed near it.

Conclusion: The Prayer After Tawaf Behind Maqam Ibrahim

The prayer after tawaf is a two-rakaat prayer performed after every seven rounds of tawaf. Scholars differ on its ruling, but the Messenger of Allah always prayed it behind Maqam Ibrahim, reciting Al-Kafirun and Al-Ikhlas.

When Masjid al-Haram is crowded, it may be prayed anywhere inside the mosque, and it may still be prayed after Fajr or Asr. There is no need to wipe Maqam Ibrahim, because its blessing lies in worship performed according to the Sunnah.

Perform Tawaf and Prayer with Peace of Mind Alongside Tridaya’s Guides

Tridaya Travel has served umrah and hajj pilgrims since 2002. Our religious guides accompany pilgrims during tawaf, including directing them to a safe place for the prayer after tawaf that does not disturb other pilgrims.

See the Tridaya umrah packages and plan your worship with our team.

Sources

• Fikih Salat Dua Rakaat Tawaf, Ustadz Prasetyo Abu Ka’ab, Muslim.or.id, 21 April 2025 (in Indonesian).
• Boleh Shalat di Waktu Kapanpun di Masjidil Haram?, Ustadz Ammi Nur Baits, KonsultasiSyariah.com, 21 April 2017 (in Indonesian).
• Fatwa Ulama: Bolehkah Ngalap Berkah dengan Mengusap-usap Maqom Ibrahim?, Shaykh Abdurrahman Al-Barrak, translated by Ustadz Yulian Purnama, Muslim.or.id, 9 June 2015 (in Indonesian).
• Seputar Thawaf, Sunnah Raml, serta Hukum Mengusap Hajar Aswad dan Rukun Yamani, Ustadz Muhammad Abduh Tuasikal, Rumaysho.com, 29 June 2023 (in Indonesian).