“The people used to depart in every direction, so the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—said: ‘Let no one depart until his final act is with the House.’”

Narrated by Muslim (no. 1327), from the ḥadīth of Ibn ʿAbbās—may Allah be pleased with them both.
It was also narrated by Abū Dāwūd (no. 2002) and al-Nasāʾī in al-Kubrā (no. 4170) with the wording: “until his final act is circumambulation of the House.”
And in a wording reported by al-Bukhārī (no. 1755) and Muslim (no. 1328): “The people were commanded that their final act be with the House, except that concession was given to menstruating women.”

Brief Explanation of the Hadith

This ḥadīth clarifies the ruling of the Farewell Ṭawāf, which is the final rite performed when intending to depart from Makkah after completing the rites of Hajj. The people used to leave Makkah for their homelands once they had finished their Hajj, so the Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—directed them to make their final act with the House the circumambulation, saying: “Let no one depart until his final act is circumambulation of the House.” That is, whoever intends to leave Makkah is required to circumambulate the House with the intention of the Farewell Ṭawāf, delaying it until after all other matters, such that departure follows it directly—thereby realizing the meaning of farewell and honoring the sanctity of the Sacred House. A slight delay in order to fulfill some needs does not cause harm. The Farewell Ṭawāf is specific to the pilgrim performing Hajj; as for one performing ʿumrah, it is not required of him, since the textual evidence pertains only to the pilgrim.
Those who are exempt from the obligation of the Farewell Ṭawāf are menstruating and postnatal women, due to his statement—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him— “except that concession was given to the menstruating woman.” This indicates that it is waived for them if they have already performed the Ṭawāf al-Ifāḍah.
The Farewell Ṭawāf is also not obligatory upon the residents of Makkah, nor upon one coming from outside the city if he intends to remain in Makkah, because the Farewell Ṭawāf was legislated only for one who intends to travel and depart from Makkah. As for one who does not depart, the Farewell Ṭawāf is not required of him, since the meaning of departure does not apply in his case.

Previous Hadith Next Hadith

Related Hadiths

Circumambulation (ṭawāf) around the House is like prayer, except that you may speak during it; thus, whoever speaks during it, let him speak nothing but good.

The Hour will not be established until the happiest of people with the worldly life is Lukaʿ ibn Lukaʿ.

In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayān. The fasting people will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection; none will enter with them besides them.

No one who prays before the rising of the sun and before its setting—meaning the Fajr and ʿAṣr prayers—will enter the Fire.

The Messenger of Allah would not go out on the day of Fitr until he had eaten, and on the day of Naḥr he would not eat until he returned.

No zakāh is due upon wealth until a full lunar year has passed over it.

The prophet would pronounce the takbīr on the day of (‘Īd) al-Fiṭr from the time he left his house until he reached the musallā.

The Messenger of Allah would not set out (for the prayer) on the Day of al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates, and he would eat them in an odd number (witr).

‘‘My mother vowed to perform Hajj, but she did not perform Hajj before she died. Should I perform Hajj on her behalf?’ He said: ‘Yes’”.

Charity at the time of death—when it (the death rattle) reaches your throat and one says, ‘I give in charity,’ but how can it be the time for charity then?